Nash County

Living in an RV on your landRestricted

RVs are defined as temporary quarters, not permanent dwellings, and are not a listed residential use. The Temporary Construction/Repair Residence (special use permit, 12 months, renewable) must be a Class B manufactured home, not an RV. An RV or travel trailer is allowed only as a Temporary Emergency Repair Residence after fire, flood or natural disaster (up to 18 months before a special use permit is needed).

“A temporary construction/repair residence may be a Class B manufactured home with functioning bathroom and kitchen facilities.”

§ 11-4.78(b)(D), § 11-4.78(c)(D); § 2-4.145, read 2026-11-13

Confirm with Nash County before you buy land or build.

Tiny house on wheelsRestricted

The UDO does not define tiny houses. A wheeled unit built for temporary living is an RV under § 2-4.145, which is not a listed dwelling; no tiny-house exception found.

“designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling, but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel or seasonal use”

§ 2-4.145 Recreational Vehicle, read 2026-11-13

Confirm with Nash County before you buy land or build.

Small house on a foundationAllowed

Single-family detached dwellings and modular homes are permitted (zoning permit) in A-1 and every RA/R district. No zoning minimum dwelling floor area found (the only floor-area minimum is 50 sq ft per person in temporary shelters).

“Single-Family Detached Dwelling 0000 P P P P P P P P P P P”

Table 9-3-1 Table of Permitted Uses, read 2026-11-13

State law: farm buildings outside town limits skip the building code (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-138(b4)).

State law: homes on 10+ acres in farm districts (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160D-903(b)).

State law: building permits (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160D-1110).

Confirm with Nash County before you buy land or build.

ChickensAllowed

'Agricultural Production (livestock), except Swine Farms' (SIC 0200, which includes poultry) is permitted in every district, including A-1 and RA districts. Accessory structures housing livestock must be 100 ft from the property line; it is not stated whether a chicken coop counts.

“Agricultural Production (livestock), except Swine Farms 0200 P”

Table 9-3-1; UDO § 9-5.1, read 2026-11-13

State law: real farms are exempt from county zoning (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160D-903(a), (a1)).

State law: right to farm (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 106-701(a)).

Confirm with Nash County before you buy land or build.

Goats and livestockWith conditions

Livestock production (except swine farms, which need a special use permit in A-1) is permitted in all districts. Structures housing livestock need a 100 ft setback from the property line and may sit on a lot without a house if for the owner's use; livestock includes horses, mules, cattle, sheep, goats, llamas.

“Structures which house livestock, shall maintain a setback of one hundred (100) feet from the property line.”

§ 9-5.1, § 9-5.3(A); Table 9-3-1, read 2026-11-13

State law: real farms are exempt from county zoning (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160D-903(a), (a1)).

State law: right to farm (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 106-701(a)).

Confirm with Nash County before you buy land or build.

BeesNot addressed

Searched the UDO and use table for bees, hives, apiary and beekeeping; none is mentioned. Beekeeping is within SIC 02, which the table permits everywhere, but the UDO never names it.

Full text searched, read 2026-11-13

State law: real farms are exempt from county zoning (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160D-903(a), (a1)).

Confirm with Nash County before you buy land or build.

Composting toiletNot addressed

Searched for toilet, privy and composting; only campground toilets and composting facilities (waste) appear. Nothing addresses composting toilets for homes.

Full text searched, read 2026-11-13

State law: composting toilets are allowed, but you still need a septic permit (15A NCAC 18E .1001 (eff. Oct. 1, 2021)).

Confirm with Nash County before you buy land or build.