The following regulations shall apply to the RS-1 Single-Family Residential District:
(A) Intent. The RS-1 District is established to provide for the low-density development of single-family detached dwellings in an environment that promotes orderly neighborhoods, characterized by low vehicular traffic flows, abundant open space and limited impact of development on the natural environment and adjacent land uses.
(B) Permitted uses. The following uses shall be permitted by right:
(1) Detached single-family dwellings, not to include mobile homes;
(2) Customary accessory buildings, including swimming pools and tennis courts;
(3) Town owned or leased facilities;
(4) Minor home occupations;
(5) Plant nurseries and greenhouses;
(6) Fine craft and folk art production; and
(7) Accessory dwelling units, subject to the provisions of § 156.140.
(C) Special uses. The following special uses are permitted subject to the requirements of this chapter and additional regulations and requirements as may be imposed by the Town Council as provided in §§ 156.155 et seq.:
(1) Public and private utility facilities must provide a vegetated buffer strip at least 10 feet in width where the facility abuts a residential lot or use;
(2) Major home occupations;
(3) Private clubs, including boat launching areas, tennis courts, community centers, libraries, picnic areas, beach clubs and concessions integral to them and provided that no sign other than a directional sign is allowed;
(4)
Pole-mounted yard and area lighting; provided that the yard or area lighting must be shielded to prevent the direct rays of the light from extending beyond the property lines of the lot on which it is located. Installation of low-voltage ground-mounted lights less than 24 inches in height above the ground are exempt from this special use permit requirement;
(6) Churches and other associated church facilities including fellowship halls, sanctuaries, parsonages, church schools, parking areas and offices; and
(7) Bed and breakfast homes may be permitted subject to the requirements of this chapter and provided that the following minimum conditions are met:
(a) No more than 3 guest rooms shall be available for rental to guests. Guest rooms shall be constructed as part of the primary residential structure and not separate or detached from the principal structure. Any other bedrooms or bedroom equivalents in the structure shall be limited to use by the owner;
(b) The bed and breakfast home shall be owner occupied and shall not employ more than the equivalent of 1 full-time employee who is not a resident of the home;
(c) No separate kitchen facilities shall be provided for the guests’ use. Microwaves and refrigerators shall not be located in guest rooms. Food service at the bed and breakfast home shall be limited to guests and not open to the public as a restaurant, catering service or take-out food service;
(d) The bed and breakfast home shall be located on a lot with its entire frontage along a state numbered highway. This shall not include roads included in the state’s secondary maintenance system and designated with a SR number;
(e) A bed and breakfast home shall be located on an individual lot or a subdivision lot with no deed restriction or subdivision covenant that prohibits commercial activity;
(f) Parking: 1 space for each guest room available for rental plus the requirements of §§ 156.070 through 156.096 for single-family structures. These spaces should be individually designated for bed and breakfast guests and aligned so that the spaces are horizontally adjacent and will not necessitate vertical double spacing;
(g) Signage: a single sign may be permitted consistent with the standards outlined in § 156.130; and
(h) No retail activities other than food and beverage sales incidental to the operation of the bed and breakfast home shall be allowed on the premises;
(8) Transit stops;
(9) Agricultural buildings;
(10) Commercial animal production;
(11) Commercial crop production (indoor or outdoor); and
(12) Livestock shelters and stables.
(D) Dimensional requirements.
(1) Minimum lot size:
(a) Single-family lots served by a private well and an on-site septic tank/drain field system: 20,000 square feet of area;
(b) Single-family lots served by a central water supply and an on-site septic tank/drain field system: 15,000 square feet of area; and
(c) Single-family lots served by a central water supply and a central wastewater disposal system: 15,000 square feet of area.
(2) Minimum lot width: 75 feet, measured at the building setback line.
(3) Minimum front yard: 25 feet.
(4) Minimum side yard: 10 feet. An additional 10-foot side yard adjacent to the street is required for a corner lot.
(5) Minimum rear yard: 25 feet.
(6) Maximum allowable lot coverage by principal use and all accessory structures: 30%. Lot coverage may be increased to 35% provided that stormwater management improvements meeting the following criteria are provided on the development site:
(a) Stormwater runoff from the built-upon area of the site must be directed into an approved stormwater management system designed to accommodate the volume of runoff generated by 1.5 inches of rainfall over a 2 hour period (1.5 inch design storm).
(b) The stormwater management system shall be designed in accordance with the standards, methodology, and procedures prescribed in the state Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual (NCDENR BMP Manual).
(c) Storage capacity (interstitial storage) within existing soils and/or fill material shall not be counted towards the volume requirement for the stormwater management design.
(d) The designed stormwater management system may include any of the following low-impact development principles and best management practices as the primary method for the treatment of stormwater:
1. Landscaped swales;
2. Infiltration basins;
3. Bioretention or rain gardens;
4. Rainwater harvesting to include cisterns and/or rain barrels;
5. Subsurface drainage systems;
6. Other methods approved by the Zoning Administrator.
(e) The bottoms of stormwater swales and basins should maintain 12 inches above the seasonal high-water table to avoid long periods of standing water due to elevated water tables. The seasonal high water table elevation must be verified by a soil inspection by a licensed soil scientist or may be verified by a County Health Department wastewater site evaluation.
(f) The stormwater management systems shall adhere to all setbacks, separations, and standards required by the state on-site wastewater regulations and building code. In no instance shall open drainage systems be located beneath a building.
(g) Rainwater harvesting, rain barrels or cisterns must include plans for the ultimate disposal of the collected rainwater (pump to irrigation, slow release through drip tubing etc.). Open systems must include plans to prevent mosquito breeding.
(h) The stormwater management plan must clearly delineate water sheds or drainage areas within the subject property. This should include a roof plan depicting roof runoff and the method to collect or direct the volume from each portion of the roof area towards the stormwater management system. In some situations, the plan may require a detailed topographic survey and a detailed grading plan.
(i) Stormwater plans must be prepared by a state licensed professional engineer or surveyor and shall include volumetric calculations. Prior to the issuance of a certificate of completion for the project, a state licensed professional engineer or surveyor shall certify that the proposed improvements have been constructed in accordance with the project design.
(j) If permeable surfaces, such as pervious pavement or artificial turf, are used as part of the lot coverage calculation, then the property owner must provide written certification that the surface material was installed and will be maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
(7) Height limitation: 35 feet.
(Ord. 04-22, passed 11-3-2004, § 17; Am. Ord. 14-02, passed 6-4-2014; Am. Ord. 16-04, passed 7-6-2016; Am. Ord. 16-07, passed 11-2-2016; Am. Ord. 16-08, passed 2-1-2017; Am. Ord. 17-04, passed 6-7-2017; Am. Ord. 21-01, passed 6-2-2021; Am. Ord. 22-07, passed 9-7-2022; Am. Ord. 23-02, passed 5-3-2023)