Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Village of Marvin, North Carolina

Village of Marvin’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land and structures inside the Village of Marvin and its planning and development regulation jurisdiction.

  • The MDO excepts bona fide farms as stated in N.C.G.S. 160D-903(c)-(e).

  “The provisions of this Ordinance shall apply to all the territory encompassed in the Village of Marvin, North Carolina, and its planning and development regulation jurisdiction, including any extraterritorial jurisdiction as now or hereafter fixed”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts in Marvin village and its planning and development regulation jurisdiction.

  • District boundaries are shown on the Official Zoning Map maintained at Marvin Village Hall.

  “The Village and its planning and development regulation jurisdiction, including any extraterritorial jurisdiction, as now or hereafter fixed, is hereby divided into districts, as established in Article 8 (Zoning Districts) and as shown on the Official Zoning Map”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Structures and lots inside Marvin village under the applicable Article 8 zoning district and Article 9 lot type.

  • Special-use permits may prescribe dimensional requirements different from the corresponding general zoning classification.

  “In issuing special use zoning permits, the Marvin Board of Adjustment may prescribe dimensional requirements (height, setback, etc.) that are different from the requirements of the corresponding general zoning classification”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured-home parks/courts inside Marvin village.

  • Manufactured Home Overlay District standards are an exception.
  • Nonconforming parks have separate continuation-permit procedures.

  “The development and/or subdivision of land for the purpose of Manufactured Home Parks/Courts is prohibited in all primary general use districts; including the placement, erection, storage and/or construction of Manufactured Homes in existing non-conforming Manufactured Home Parks. Exception is taken to this regulation where the Manufactured Home Overlay (MHO) District standards and specifications supplement the primary general use district standards and specifications.”

• Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

  A lot with one principal dwelling and conforming accessory structures in a Marvin single-family zoning district.

  • Only one ADU is permitted.
  • The maximum gross floor area is 900 square feet or 40% of the principal structure, whichever is less.
  • Manufactured dwellings, mobile homes, travel trailers, campers, and similar units cannot be ADUs.

  maximum ADU gross floor area: <= 900 square feet (Or 40% of principal-structure gross floor area, whichever is less.)

  “The maximum gross floor area for the Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be 900 SF or 40% of the gross floor area of the principal structure, whichever is less.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Principal uses and subdivision lots inside Marvin village that are not served by a public wastewater collection, transport, and treatment system.

  • The accepted wastewater system must be adequate for reasonable needs and comply with all applicable health regulations.

  “Every principal use and every lot within a subdivision not served by a public wastewater collection, transport and treatment system shall be served by an accepted wastewater system, in accordance with NCGS 130A-335, that is adequate to accommodate the reasonable needs of such use or subdivision lot and that complies with all applicable health regulations.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  New development inside Marvin village.

  • Extensions must comply with the Village Policy for Managing Utility Allocations and Extensions.
  • A principal use or subdivision lot not served by public wastewater must have an accepted wastewater system that complies with applicable health regulations.

  “All new development shall be connected to an approved potable water supply system and approved wastewater collection and/or treatment system in accordance with Village of Marvin adopted policies.”

• Agricultural exemptionConditional

  Bona fide farms inside Marvin village.

  • The exception is in accordance with N.C.G.S. 160D-903(c)-(e).

  “This Ordinance shall govern the development and use of all land and structures within the Village as provided for by Chapter 160D, except for bona fide farms in accordance with G.S.160D-903(c)-(e).”

• Short-term rentalsLimited

  Short-term rental of rooms in residential properties inside Marvin village.

  • The use is designated a Tourist/temporary residence.
  • In SFR and RR districts, no visible signs or demarcations promoting or identifying short-term rentals are permitted.
  • A tourist/temporary residence is a rental for fewer than 30 days.

  short-term rental period: < 30 days

  “Tourist/temporary residence. A residential property or any portion thereof, being rented by the owner of said residential property or their agents for vacation, leisure or recreation purposes for periods of fewer than 30 days.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Village zoning and planning permits inside Marvin village.

  • The Village page labels the linked schedule FY 26-27 and states its effective date is July 1, 2026.

  “FY 26-27 Fee Schedule (Effective 7/1/26)”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Village zoning permits for construction and listed improvements inside Marvin village.

  • The stated typical turnaround time is 24 to 48 hours.
  • Building permits are handled by Union County after Village zoning approval.

  typical zoning-permit turnaround: 24 to 48 hours

  “The typical turnaround time for a zoning permit is twenty-four (24) to forty-eight (48) hours. The Village of Marvin does not issue building permits, this is handled by Union County, however a zoning permit with the Village must be obtained in order to receive a building permit.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Village of Marvin or Union County directly.

• Building permit — Building permits for construction inside Marvin village, which the Village states are handled by Union County.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder work inside Marvin village.
• Building code adopted — Building-code adoption applicable inside Marvin village.
• Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside Marvin village.
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for construction inside Marvin village.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.