CHAPTER TWO - ZONING ORDINANCE
ARTICLE 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF JURISDICTION AND ZONING DISTRICTS
Section 4-1: Locations and Boundaries of Districts
The locations and boundaries of each of the zoning districts shall be shown on the map
accompanying this Ordinance and made a part hereof entitled “Official Zoning Map, Franklin
County” dated October 8, 2001, and adopted by the County Board of Commissioners. The
zoning map and all the notations, references, and amendments thereto, and other information
shown, are hereby made a part of this Ordinance. The zoning map shall be kept on file in the
office of the Clerk to the Board of Commissioners and shall be available for inspection by the
public.
The boundaries of such districts as are shown upon the map attached to this Ordinance
are hereby adopted. The provisions of this Ordinance governing within each type of district the
use of land and buildings, height of buildings, building site areas, sizes of yards around buildings
and other matters as are hereinafter set forth are hereby established and declared to be in effect
upon all land included within the boundaries of each and every district as shown upon said map.
Section 4-2: Rules for Interpretation of Zoning District Boundaries
Where district boundaries prove to be uncertain as to their location on the Official Zoning
Map, the following rules shall apply:
(A)
Unless otherwise specifically indicated, where district boundaries are indicated on
the zoning map as approximately parallel to or following the center line of a
street, highway, railroad right-of-way, utility easement, streambed or riverbed, or
such lines extended, then such lines shall be construed to be such district
boundaries.
(B)
Boundaries indicated as approximately following platted lot lines shall be
construed as following such lot lines.
(C)
Boundaries indicated as approximately following town limits or other political
jurisdictional boundary shall be construed as following those boundaries.
Page 66
Franklin County UDO-Chapter Two
(D)
If a district boundary divides a lot, the requirement for the district in which the
greater portion of the lot lines shall be extended to the balance of the lot, provided
that such extension shall not include any part of such lot which lies more than
fifty (50) feet beyond the district boundary, and further provided that the
remaining parcel shall not be less than the minimum required for the district in
which it is located.
(E)
Interpretations of the location of floodway and floodplain boundary lines may be
made by the Administrator.
Section 4-3: Establishment of Zoning Districts, and the Purpose Thereof
For the purposes of this Ordinance, Franklin County is divided into the following classes
of zones:
AR
Agricultural-Residential District
This district is established to promote a compatible mixture of agricultural, forestry,
conservation, and very low-density residential uses where few public services will be available.
Protection of the environment, preservation of prime farm land, and the continuation of rural
lifestyles are goals this district seeks to attain.
R-1
Residential District
This district is defined as low-density residential areas and additional open areas where
similar residential development will be a viable land use. The uses permitted in this district are
designed to stabilize and protect the essential character of the area with the allowance of limited
non-residential development.
R-8
Residential District
This district is defined as high density residential areas where single-family and multifamily dwellings are commingled and certain open areas where similar residential development
will be a viable land use. The uses permitted in this district are designed to stabilize and protect
the essential characteristics of the area with the allowance of limited non-residential
development. Manufactured homes are not allowed.
Page 71
Franklin County UDO-Chapter Two
R-15
Residential District
This district is defined as medium density residential areas where single-family and
multi-family dwellings are commingled and certain open areas where similar residential
development will be a viable land use. The uses permitted in this district are designed to
stabilize and protect the essential characteristics of the area with the allowance of limited nonresidential development. Manufactured homes are not allowed.
R-40
Water Supply Watershed District I
This district is established to provide water quality protection in the drainage basin of
water supply watersheds outside of the critical area of the watershed.
R-80
Water Supply Watershed District II
This district is established to provide water quality protection in the drainage basin area
in the water supply watershed.
PUD Planned Unit Development District
The PUD Planned Unit Development District is defined as an area characterized by an
orderly integration of residential development, open space land uses, and in some cases
commercial development which conform to the design requirements contained herein. It permits
the planning of a project and a calculation of densities over the entire development rather than on
an individual lot-by-lot basis. This district is served by public water and sewer facilities. No
PUD district shall be less than twenty-five (25) acres in area.
NB
Neighborhood Business District
This district is established for business development serving the business needs of the
rural community. The following standards are established for this district and designed to
promote sound permanent commercial development, and to protect nearby areas from
undesirable aspects of commercial development: (1) outside storage must be screened from
public view by opaque fencing, screening, or landscaping; (2) outside storage shall be limited to
the rear and side of the principal building; (3) storage of unsafe (corrosive, flammable, or
explosive materials) or hazardous materials shall comply with any local, State, or Federal
requirements; and (4) outside storage must be on the premises of the business.
Page 72
Franklin County UDO-Chapter Two
RB
Rural Business District
The purpose of this district shall be to provide for rural services on single parcels that are
generally smaller than the more urbanized areas of the county. While clustering of such
commercial uses should be encouraged, it is not always possible in rural areas. The district
generally would tend to be developed with mixed uses on single or small lots; therefore,
conditions would be appropriate on single lots, less than one acre in size. The nearby
agricultural-residential areas should be protected from undesirable impacts by: (1) outside
storage must be screened from public view by opaque fencing, screening, or landscaping; (2)
outside storage shall be limited to the rear and side of the principal building; (3) storage of
unsafe (corrosive, flammable, or explosive materials) or hazardous materials shall comply with
any local, State, or Federal requirements; and (4) outside storage shall be on the premises of the
business.
HB
Highway Business District
The purpose of this district shall be to provide for and encourage the proper grouping and
development of roadside uses which will best accommodate the needs of the motoring public, the
reduction of highway congestion and hazard, and the minimization of blight. The following
standards are established for this district and designed to promote sound permanent commercial
development, and to protect nearby areas from undesirable aspects of commercial development:
(1) outside storage must be screened from public view by opaque fencing, screening, or
landscaping; (2) outside storage shall be limited to the rear and side of the principal building; (3)
storage of unsafe (corrosive, flammable, or explosive materials) or hazardous material shall
comply with any local, State, or Federal requirements; and (4) outside storage must be on the
premises of the business.
TND
Traditional Neighborhood District
The purpose of this district is to provide a discernable community center or core area for
approved traditional neighborhood subdivisions. The traditional neighborhood development
must have a mixture of residential and non-residential land uses, with at least 10% of the
developed area consisting of non-residential uses. Most non-residential uses are located within
the community core area. Within the core area, a minimum of 15% of floor area must be
devoted to commercial uses oriented towards traditional neighborhood development. All uses
within the traditional neighborhood commercial zone will be approved as conditional uses.
Page 73
Franklin County UDO-Chapter Two
O/I
Office-Institutional District
The purpose of this district shall be to provide for the development of high quality office
and institutional developments, such as corporate headquarters, professional and general office
development. The district generally would tend to be developed with a mixture of office types
and institutional uses, along with some supporting service uses. This district could be
transitional between industrial and residential areas, and/or it could be mixed with
commercial/industrial areas.
LI
Light Industrial District
The purpose of this district is to establish and protect industrial areas for the use of light
manufacturing operations and for the distribution of products at wholesale. The following
standards are established for this district and designed to promote sound permanent light
industrial development, and to protect nearby areas from undesirable aspects of industrial
development: (1) all assembly and/or manufacturing be confined within the building; (2) all
outdoor storage be screened from public view by opaque fencing, screening, or landscaping,
limited to rear and side of the principal building, if hazardous and/or unsafe, shall meet all local,
State, and Federal environmental requirements, and must be on the premises of the business; and
(3) anyone applying for a LI permit must demonstrate that no adverse impacts such as noise,
groundwater, air pollution, and vibrations are created by the proposed use, beyond the lot
boundaries of the use. This district shall be located adjacent to and/or with direct access to
thoroughfare roads or streets.
HI
Heavy Industrial District
The purpose of this district is to establish and preserve areas for heavy industrial and
related uses and is designed to accommodate all but the most objectionable industries; however,
industries permitted by right are required to minimize their emission of smoke, dust, fumes,
glare, noise, and vibrations. The following standards are established for this district and
designed to promote sound permanent heavy industrial development, and to protect nearby areas
from undesirable aspects of industrial development: (1) outside storage must be screened from
public view by opaque fencing, screening, or landscaping; (2) outside storage shall be limited to
the rear and side of the principal building; (3) storage of unsafe (corrosive, flammable, or
explosive materials) or hazardous material shall comply with any local, State, or Federal
requirements; and (4) outside storage must be on the premises of the business. This district
should be separated from residential areas whenever possible by natural or structural features
such as sharp breaks in topography, strips of vegetation, or traffic arteries. This district shall be
located adjacent to and/or with direct access to thoroughfare roads or streets.
Page 74
Franklin County UDO-Chapter Two
CON-D
Conservation District
The CON-D Conservation District is established as a district in which only partial
development of land subject to flooding may occur. The regulations of this district are intended
to protect the floodplain sections of the community from an influx on uses likely to destroy its
potential for the unobstructed flow of flood waters and natural open space.
MU
Mixed Use District
The purpose of this district is to provide a transition between residential and commercial
zoning districts. This district is specifically designed to incorporate low-medium residential uses
with moderate commercial development. The following standards are established for this district
and designed to protect adjoining areas from undesirable aspects of commercial development.
•
Shall apply to all nonresidential development and building groups.
•
Miscellaneous Regulations
- Maximum height 35'
- Maximum Gross Floor Area shall be as follows:
Lot Area
GFA
15,000 - 43,560 sq. ft.
4,000
43,561 - 100,000 sq. ft.
4,000 + .05 lot area over 43, 561
Over 100,000 sq. ft.
9,000 + .01 lot area over 100,000
- Twenty (20) percent of the total development shall remain as open space.
•
Parking & Circulation
- Parking shall be limited to fifty-four (54) spaces per development. Multi-family
dwellings such as apartments, duplexes, and townhouses will be limited to a
maximum of one hundred and thirty-five (135) spaces per development.
Developments that exceed the maximum parking restrictions shall reduce the size of the
development to meet the parking standards. (Maximum occupant load
according to
the NC Building Code will be used to determine the building
occupancy.)
-Parking shall face internal to the development and shall no be directed onto any
residential lot.
- No parking shall be located within ten (10) feet of any property line.
- No development shall have more than two total points of access for ingress and egress
per road frontage.
- Trash receptacles shall be screened from public view.
Outside Storage
•
Page 75
Franklin County UDO-Chapter Two
•
•
- Outside storage must be screened from public view by opaque fencing, screening, or
landscaping.
- Outside storage shall be limited to the rear and side of the principal building.
- Storage of unsafe (corrosive, flammable, or explosive materials) or hazardous
materials shall comply with any local, State, or Federal requirements.
- Outside storage must be on the premises of the business.
Lighting
- All outdoor lighting shall be designed and located such that the maximum
illumination measured in foot-candles at the property line does not exceed 0.3 onto
adjacent residential property.
- Light sources shall be concealed and fully shielded from view off-site and shall
feature sharp cut-off capability so as to minimize up-light, spill-light, glare, and
unnecessary diffusion on adjacent property.
- Maximum height of light poles with a ninety (90) degree or less cutoff fixture,
measured from the light stream to the ground, shall be thirty (30) feet. Maximum
height of light poles without a full ninety (90) degree or less cutoff fixture, measured
from the light stream to the ground, shall be sixteen (16) feet.
- All exterior lighting, on or off the building, shall be either amber in color or turned
off between 11:00 PM or one hour after closing, whichever is earlier, and 5:00 AM or
one hour before opening, whichever is later, with the exception of low-wattage
landscaping lighting, customer entrance, or service area lights aiming down and
installed under a canopy of similar roof structure.
- No flickering or flashing lights permitted.
Signage
- Signage shall follow the provisions of Article 17 and Table 17-3.
R-30
Residential District
At this time, low-density residential land use has been provided in the majority of the
southern half of the county, “in-filling” areas where there are no existing or planned water or
sewer services. No water or sewer extensions are planned in the near future for these areas,
despite the fact that development pressures are the greatest in Southern Franklin County.
However, there remains a need for low to medium density residential development, which this
new zoning district will provide.
GB
General Business District
Page 76
Franklin County UDO-Chapter Two
The purpose of this district is to provide a commercial zone along major highways in
Franklin County that provides for a range of commercial, service centers and limited industrial
uses that are accessible to the general public and surrounding neighborhoods. Businesses in this
district are intended to serve the daily convenience and personal needs of an immediate area, and
county-wide or regional commercial and service needs. This district shall be located adjacent to
and/or with direct access to a thoroughfare road or street. The following standards are
established for this district to promote sound commercial development while protecting nearby
areas from undesirable aspects of commercial development:
a) Outdoor storage of materials or equipment shall be screened from public view by a
solid fence or wall at least six (6) feet in height.
b) Outdoor storage of materials and equipment shall be permitted only in the rear or side
of the principal building.
c) Outdoor storage shall be on the premises or lot of the business and be for use by that
business.
d) All storage of unsafe, corrosive, flammable or explosive materials or hazardous
materials shall comply with all local, state or federal requirements.
e) Any assembly and/or manufacturing activities shall be confined entirely within a
building.
SUD
Special Use District
For the zoning districts herein described, there are hereby-established parallel
special use districts, pursuant to North Carolina General Statues Section 153A-340. Under each
special use district, all uses allowed as a permitted use, conditional use or special use by this
ordinance, for the parallel general use district are permitted only after the issuance of a Special
Use Permit by the Board of Commissioners pursuant to Article 7A and Article 9 of this
ordinance.
Page 77
Franklin County UDO-Chapter Two