Table of Contents

Active Transportation

The city’s subdivision code requires that subdivisions plan streets that meet both internal and external connectivity standards (§31.1). Broadly speaking, this means that all new development should provide for more than one access for ingress and egress at the time of development and cul-de-sacs and dead ends only where they are not otherwise feasible. Likewise, new streets and driveways should align with existing streets across intersections to create four-way intersections. The code also requires traffic calming measures, and has additional standards for development near transit stations. 

The city’s zoning code includes minimums and location standards for bicycle parking, which are set in parallel to automobile standards. Both standards are set according to various metrics, including square footage or number of employees (§19.4). Detailed design standards, with drawings, are included in the Charlotte Land Development Standards Manual, which is referenced in the code.

The city’s code of ordinances requires that sidewalks and related facilities be built according to the Charlotte Land Development Standards Manual (CLDSM; 2015).

Food Trucks  |  Food Systems

The city’s zoning code covers the special use of mobile vending (§15.5.B). It designates zones where a food truck can operate, the required permitting, waste standards, required site plan and parking, distance from residential properties and eating, drinking, and entertainment establishments, and occasions that require special use permitting.

Group Housing

The city's zoning ordinance defines group homes and references state statutes; group homes are permitted by right in all residential districts, but are limited to 6 disabled residents in Neighborhood 1 zoning districts and 10 residents in other districts (§15.4.UU.4). The code establishes a separation requirement of 800 feet for group homes in single-family districts where such uses are not separated by a major thoroughfare, topographical feature, or nonresidential use (§15.4.UU.5).

Hazard Mitigation

The city’s floodplain regulations exceed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s minimum requirements (§27). These regulations require all new or rehabilitated structures in special flood hazard zones to be elevated to either one or two feet above base flood elevations, depending on the floodplain. And they contain general standards for construction to reduce flood hazard risks.

Housing Supply Planning

This unified development code encourages increasing housing supply and affordable options for all in Charlotte, North Carolina. The code eliminates single-family only zoning districts by rezoning them as a new Neighborhood 1 Zoning District. Neighborhood 1 Zoning Districts allow for duplexes and triplexes (§4.1).

Transit-Oriented Development

The city’s zoning code includes four types of floating transit-oriented development (TOD) districts for light rail station areas (§13). The Transit Transition Zoning District (TOD-TR) is designed for areas near moderate intensity transit stations and serves to transition from higher intensity TOD districts to adjacent neighborhoods. The TOD-TR Zoning District has more relaxed design standards, more permitted uses, and higher parking maximums aim for transit oriented development in areas where there is not demand for more intense development. The Transit Community Center Zoning District (TOD-CC) is created for areas with moderately intense transtion stations and stops. It has lower maximum building heights and less stringent design standards to promote development where there is not a current demand. The TOD-CC designation is not to be used in the Uptown area or adjacent to Neighborhood 1 Place Type sites. Transit Neighborhood Center (TOD-NC) district is designed to be used where there is existing to future transit stations. The TOD-NC aims to transition from more intense TOD development to existing neighborhoods or where the reuse of existing structures is needed to preserve the area's character. TOD-NC has high levels of design standards. The Transit Urban Center (TOD-UC) Zoning District is designated for areas with high intensity of transit stations and stops. It allows for the largest building heights of all TOD designations, along with the highest level of design standards and low parking requirements.

Tree Preservation and the Urban Forest 

The city’s tree code establishes tree preservation, planting, and maintenance requirements for public and private property (§20). It addresses definitions, the roles and responsibilities of the tree advisory commission and city officials, maintenance and protection of trees on public and private property, permits for tree work, utility work, tree surveys, tree protection plans, general and land-use-based protection requirements, tree planting requirements, modifications, inspections, emergencies, penalties, injunctive relief, and hearings and appeals.

Zoning Reform and Code Writing

This city adopted a unified development ordinance to update growth and development regulations. This new code combined previously existing development ordinances, including the zoning ordinance, into one set of regulations. Most notably, it eliminates single-family only zoning districts by rezoning them as a new Neighborhood 1 Zoning District. Neighborhood 1 Zoning Districts allow for duplexes and triplexes in addition to single-family homes (§4.1).