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Are ADUs Legal in Charlotte, NC?

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have countless applications for homeowners. They are becoming increasingly popular with multi-generational households as well as entrepreneurs who want to create a new stream of income with a short-term rental. There are lots of rules you must follow to legally construct an ADU on your property, all of which our designers can comply with.

Accessory dwelling units are legal, provided they are attached to a principal structure, are designed for independent living, and comply with setback and size requirements. Permits are required to build ADUs in Charlotte legally, and your contractor can obtain them with our complete blueprints. Both attached and detached ADUs are legal, provided they meet all rules for accessory dwelling units.

Call Phase One’s architectural designers at (803) 404-7168 to start designing an ADU for your property in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Are ADUs Legal in North Carolina?

Accessory dwelling units can be attached to or detached from main homes to serve many different purposes for growing or changing families. As with any residential construction, you need to check the legality of your ADU plans before proceeding.

Accessory dwelling units are legal in North Carolina, provided the lot where you wish to build one is properly zoned, and you follow all local rules and regulations for ADUs.

ADUs that do not get the proper approvals and permits are not legal structures, and homeowners could be forced to tear them down and even face steep fines for unpermitted work.

What Rules Do You Have to Follow to Build an ADU in Charlotte, NC?

You have to follow the City of Charlotte’s rules for accessory dwelling structures and the permitting requirements of Mecklenburg County.

Principal Structure Required

To build an ADU on a residential lot, there must already be a principal structure on the lot. An accessory dwelling unit is an accessory to the main house, and cannot come first. ADUs may be built only with single-family homes and certain duplex dwellings, and not on empty lots.

When planning an ADU for your property, our architectural designers can take inspiration from the architectural style and word of the principal structure to ensure cohesion between structures and enhanced curb appeal.

Independent Living Space

For an accessory dwelling unit to be legal in Charlotte, it must allow for totally independent living from the principal structure. Whether the ADU is attached or detached from the main home, it must have its own private entrance, living area, sleeping area, bathroom, and kitchen. An accessory structure that lacks these 5 mandatory features will not be approved as an accessory dwelling unit.

One ADU Per Lot

In Charlotte, homeowners can only obtain approvals to build one accessory dwelling unit per lot, even if they have space for more ADUs on their property.

Same Ownership

Another requirement of building a legal accessory dwelling unit in Charlotte is that the ADU and the principal dwelling be under the same ownership. Accessory dwelling units cannot be owned by someone other than the homeowner.

Size Restrictions

Accessory dwelling units cannot have a floor area that is more than 50% of the principal structure’s floor area, which places size restrictions on ADUs. We can factor local size restrictions into our designs so that they’re more easily approved.

Setback Rules

Setback rules for ADUs dictate how close to the property line you can place them. Setback rules in Charlotte largely depend on the height of an accessory dwelling unit and the specific setback rules for your zoning district. Still, ADUS typically need to be at least 3 feet from lot lines, if not farther, because of their height.

FAQs Charlotte, NC Homeowners Have About ADUs

How Long Does it Take to Design an ADU?

The time it takes us to design an accessory dwelling unit for your property depends on many factors, including your preferred ADU square footage, the ADU’s interior and exterior design styles, and the number of revisions our designers make until you are completely happy with the final product.

What Permits Do You Need for an ADU in Charlotte, NC?

To build an ADU in Charlotte, you need a Land Development Individual Residential Lot Permit and a Mecklenburg County building permit, both of which your contractor can obtain after you have finalized your building plans with Phase One.

What Do You Need to Get Permitting Approval for an ADU in Charlotte, NC?

To get permitting approval and legally build an ADU, you need permit-ready construction plans. Get polished blueprints and all other documentation that your contractor can use to get permitting approval from Phase One’s architectural designers.

Should You Design an Attached or Detached ADU?

Whether you choose to add an attached or detached accessory dwelling unit to your property depends on how you plan to use the ADU. For example, if you plan to use the ADU for short-term rentals, you will likely want it detached from the main structure for enhanced privacy.

Comparatively, if the ADU is an in-law suite or apartment for an adult child, you may want it attached to the main structure for convenience and easy access.

What Makes Adding an ADU to Your Property Worth It?

Adding an ADU to your property can increase your property’s value, create an additional stream of income from short-term rentals, and be a great solution for multi-generational households that need privacy and proximity.

What Other Accessory Structures Are Legal in Charlotte, NC?

There are other accessory structures that you can build that do not have to meet all the requirements of an ADU, such as storage, garages, and even at-home gyms, but lack all the perks of an ADU, such as a designated kitchen, bedroom, living area, and bathroom.