Oceanfront Construction Setback & Erosion Rates
Maps prepared by:
N.C. Division of Coastal Management, Policy & Planning Section, 2025
North Carolina’s oceanfront construction setback factors are based on the long-term (50+ years) average annual shoreline change rates. These rates are used to establish Oceanfront Construction Setback Factors and Ocean Erodible Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs), which were first designated by the Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) under the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) in 1979.
To view shoreline change (erosion and accretion) rates and corresponding setback factors, visit DCM’s interactive map viewer.
The oceanfront construction setback is measured landward from either the first line of stable & natural vegetation, or from a pre-project vegetation or measurement line whichever is applicable. The required setback distance depends on two factors:
- Structure size, and
- Setback factor, which is determined by the local shoreline change rate (see table below).
Under 15A NCAC 7H .0306(a), the minimum (default) setback factor is 2, unless the shoreline is eroding at a rate greater than 2 feet per year. Thus, when the shoreline is accreting (moving seaward) or eroding at less than 2 feet per year, the default setback factor of 2 applies.
| Structure Size | Setback (ft) | example using setback factor = 2 |
|---|---|---|
| less than 5,000 sqft | 60 feet or 30 times the setback factor | 2 x 30 = 60 feet |
| greater than or equal to 5,000 sqft | 120 feet or 60 times the setback factor | 2 x 60 = 120 feet |
| greater than or equal to 10,000 sqft | 130 feet or 65 times the setback factor | 2 x 65 = 130 feet |
| greater than or equal to 20,000 sqft | 140 feet or 70 times the setback factor | 2 x 70 = 140 feet |
| greater than or equal to 40,000 sqft | 150 feet or 75 times the setback factor | 2 x 75 = 150 feet |
| greater than or equal to 60,000 sqft | 160 feet or 80 times the setback factor | 2 x 80 = 160 feet |
| greater than or equal to 80,000 sqft | 170 feet or 85 times the setback factor | 2 x 85 = 170 feet |
| greater than or equal to 100,000 sqft | 180 feet or 90 times the setback factor | 2 x 90 = 180 feet |
Shoreline position change rate data are not intended to be predictive and do may not reflect short-term (less than 20 years) erosion that may occur during a single major storm event or active storm season. The accompanying report explains the methodology used to calculate current effective shoreline change rates and setback factors, and includes a summary of calculated rates.
This report is not a “State of the Shoreline” assessment and was not designed to evaluate the causes of shoreline accretion or erosion.
On February 28, 2019, the Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) approved updated setback factors (downloadable report and maps).
While not effective yet, the CRC is currently evaluating the latest (2025) erosion rate update report: Oceanfront Long-term Average Annual Erosion Rates and Setbacks - 2025 (pending)
Additional Studies & Beach Erosion Reports:
- Inlet Hazard Area Boundary Update - 2025 (pending)
- Inlet Hazard Area Erosion Rates and Setbacks - 2025 (pending)
- Inlet Hazard Area Boundary Update – 2019
- Inlet Hazard Area Erosion Setbacks – 2019
- Inlet Hazard Area Boundary Update - 2010
- Inlet Hazard Area Boundary Report - 1978 (current IHA boundaries)
- Oceanfront Long-term Average Annual Erosion Rates and Setbacks - 2025 (pending)
- Oceanfront Long-term Average Annual Erosion Rate and Setbacks – 2019
- Oceanfront Long-term Average Annual Erosion Rate and Setbacks – 2011
- Oceanfront Long-term Average Annual Erosion Rate and Setbacks – 2004
- 2016 Coastal Erosion Study, NC Division of Coastal Management
- 2016 Beach Nourishment Studies, NC Division of Coastal Management and NC Department of Commerce
For more information, contact Ken Richardson at ken.richardson@deq.nc.gov.