Scotland County

Living in an RV on your landRestricted

RVs are classed as temporary dwellings not meant for permanent residence, and the use table lists them only in campgrounds/RV parks. A Temporary Emergency, Construction and Repair Residence is allowed with a permit for 6 months (renewable) while building a home, but the text names only a Class A manufactured home as an example.

“temporary dwellings, which are most often recreational vehicles, are not and are not meant for use as permanent residences”

§ 8.2.5; § 8.13 Table of Uses; § 11.73.6(e), read 2026-11-13

Confirm with Scotland County before you buy land or build.

Tiny house on wheelsRestricted

The ordinance defines a tiny house on wheels occupied more than 30 days as a recreational vehicle, so it falls under the RV rules (campgrounds/RV parks only).

“A tiny house on wheels for permanent occupancy (longer than 30 days) is considered a recreational vehicle.”

Article 2, Definitions: Tiny House, read 2026-11-13

Confirm with Scotland County before you buy land or build.

Small house on a foundationAllowed

A tiny house is defined as a 200-699 sq ft single-family detached home built to the NC State Building Code; single-family dwellings are permitted by right in RA, R-1 and R-2. No minimum floor area for site-built homes was found.

“Tiny House. A single-family detached home that is 200 square feet to 699 square feet in size (not including loft space)”

Article 2, Definitions: Tiny House; § 8.13 Table of 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 Scotland County before you buy land or build.

ChickensAllowed

'Agricultural Uses' (agriculture is defined to include animal and poultry husbandry) are permitted by right in RA; the use is not listed for R-1 or R-2 except as a bona fide farm. No acreage minimum found.

“The practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock; such as but not limited to dairying, pasturage”

Article 2, Definitions: Agriculture; § 8.13 Table of Uses, 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 Scotland County before you buy land or build.

Goats and livestockAllowed

Raising livestock is part of 'Agricultural Uses', permitted by right in RA (not listed for R-1/R-2 except as a bona fide farm). No acreage minimum or setback for livestock found.

“The practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock”

Article 2, Definitions: Agriculture; § 8.13 Table of Uses, 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 Scotland County before you buy land or build.

BeesNot addressed

Searched the full ordinance for bee, hive, honey and apiculture; bees are not named. The Agricultural Uses definition refers to 'all other forms of agriculture, as defined in G.S. 106-581.1'.

full text search; Article 2, Definitions: Agricultural Uses, read 2026-11-13

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

Confirm with Scotland County before you buy land or build.

Composting toiletNot addressed

Searched the full zoning ordinance for composting toilet, compost and privy; none found.

full text search, 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 Scotland County before you buy land or build.