Union County

Living in an RV on your landRestricted

Campers and travel trailers cannot be used even as a temporary residence while you build (that permit is for manufactured homes only, 9 months plus one 3-month renewal). In campgrounds and campsites, staying more than 3 months in any 12 counts as permanent residency, which is prohibited.

“Temporary residences must be a Class A, B, or C manufactured housing unit; travel trailers or campers do not qualify.”

§ 30.120 Manufactured Housing Units, Temporary (p. 30-10); § 30.030 Campsites, Campgrounds and RV Parks, read 2026-11-13

Confirm with Union County before you buy land or build.

Tiny house on wheelsRestricted

The UDO does not name tiny houses. A tiny house on wheels would fit its travel trailer definition (a vehicle for temporary sleeping quarters that does not meet the manufactured-home criteria), which may not be used as a residence outside the campground limits above.

“A motor vehicle that is designed for temporary use as sleeping quarters”

Article 105 Definitions (Travel Trailer), read 2026-11-13

Confirm with Union County before you buy land or build.

Small house on a foundationAllowed

A detached house is permitted by right (P) in RA-200, RA-40, RA-20 and the R-40 through R-4 districts. No minimum dwelling floor area was found in the UDO.

Table 25-1 Table of Allowed Uses, Household Living, 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 Union County before you buy land or build.

ChickensWith conditions

Agriculture (which includes poultry) is permitted in RA-200, RA-40, RA-20 and R-40, but any area where poultry are housed must be at least 150 feet from every lot line unless the land is an exempt bona fide farm. In residential districts a coop over 144 sq ft and over 12 ft tall is not a permitted accessory use.

“all areas where livestock or poultry are housed must be set back at least 150 feet from all lot lines.”

Table 25-1 (Agriculture); § 30.100 Livestock and Poultry, 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 Union County before you buy land or build.

Goats and livestockWith conditions

Agriculture is permitted in RA-200, RA-40, RA-20 and R-40; livestock housing must be at least 150 feet from all lot lines (not from lots under the same ownership). Horses as an accessory use are limited to one per acre in RA and some R districts, with 50/100/30-ft barn setbacks.

“all areas where livestock or poultry are housed must be set back at least 150 feet from all lot lines.”

Table 25-1 (Agriculture); § 30.100 Livestock and Poultry; Keeping of Horses, 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 Union County before you buy land or build.

BeesNot addressed

Searched the full UDO for bees, beekeeping and apiary: nothing. The agriculture definition does not name bees.

Full text search, read 2026-11-13

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

Confirm with Union County before you buy land or build.

Composting toiletNot addressed

Searched the full UDO for composting toilet and privy: privies appear only in campground standards, not for homes.

Full text search; § 30.030, 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 Union County before you buy land or build.