CITY OF CHARLOTTE ZONING ORDINANCE
Prepared by:
CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG PLANNING COMMISSION
CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG PLANNING DEPARTMENT
600 E. Fourth Street (8th Floor)
Charlotte, North Carolina
(704)-336-2205
www.rezoning.org
JANUARY, 1992
CODIFIED THROUGH APRIL 18, 2016
RECENT AMENDMENTS IN APPENDIX 4
i
CITY OF CHARLOTTE ZONING ORDINANCE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
CHAPTER 1: PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY
1.101.
1.102.
1.103.
1.104.
1.105.
1.106.
1.107.
1.108.
1.109.
1.110.
Title ................................................................................................... 1-1
Authority and purpose ...................................................................... 1-1
Jurisdiction........................................................................................ 1-2
Zoning Maps ..................................................................................... 1-2
Exceptions to applicability ............................................................... 1-2
Relation to other ordinances ............................................................. 1-4
Relation of this ordinance to any pending actions ............................ 1-4
Separability ....................................................................................... 1-5
Effective date .................................................................................... 1-5
Procedures for establishing a vested right ........................................ 1-5
CHAPTER 2: DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
Part 1. Rules of Construction
2.101.
2.102.
2.103.
2.104.
General rules of construction ............................................................ 2-1
Interpretation of Zoning Maps .......................................................... 2-2
Fractional requirements .................................................................... 2-3
Additions to existing development ................................................... 2-3
Part 2. Definitions
2.201.
Definitions ........................................................................................ 2-4
ii
PAGE
CHAPTER 3: DECISION-MAKING AND ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES
Part 1. City Council
3.101.
Powers and duties ............................................................................. 3-1
Part 2. Planning Commission
3.201.
3.202.
3.203.
3.204.
Powers and duties ............................................................................. 3-2
Membership; officers ........................................................................ 3-2
Meetings, hearings, and procedures .................................................. 3-2
Staff................................................................................................... 3-3
Part 3. Board of Adjustment
3.301.
3.302.
3.303.
3.304.
Powers and duties ............................................................................. 3-4
Membership; officers ........................................................................ 3-5
Meetings, hearings and procedures ................................................... 3-5
Staff................................................................................................... 3-5
Part 4. Historic District Commission
3.401.
3.402.
3.403.
3.404.
Powers and duties ............................................................................. 3-6
Membership; officers ........................................................................ 3-6
Meetings, hearings, and procedures .................................................. 3-6
Staff................................................................................................... 3-7
Part 5. Professional Staff
3.501.
3.502.
3.503.
3.504.
3.505.
3.506.
3.507.
3.508.
3.509.
3.510.
3.511
Planning Department Staff; powers and duties ................................ 3-8
Land Use & Environmental Services Agency
(LUESA); powers and duties ....................................................... 3-9
Engineering & Property Management; powers and duties ............... 3-9
Utility Department; powers and duties ........................................... 3-10
Parks and Recreation Department; powers and duties ................... 3-11
Department of Health; powers and duties ...................................... 3-11
Department of Environmental Protection; powers and duties ........ 3-12
Fire Department; powers and duties ............................................... 3-12
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Staff; powers and duties ............. 3-12
Department of Transportation; powers and duties.......................... 3-13
Neighborhood Development, powers and duties ............................ 3-13
iii
PAGE
CHAPTER 4: DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL
4.101.
4.102.
4.103.
4.104.
4.105
4.106
4.107.
General .............................................................................................. 4-1
Building permit required................................................................... 4-1
Certificate of occupancy required ..................................................... 4-2
Zoning review ................................................................................... 4-2
Public notification process for institutional uses locating
adjacent to, and abutting a single-family residential zoning district 4-3
Public notification process for certain land uses .............................. 4-4
Delegated authority for development approval based upon
existing conditions ........................................................................ 4-5
CHAPTER 5: APPEALS AND VARIANCES
5.101.
5.102.
5.103.
5.104.
5.105.
5.106.
5.107.
5.108.
5.109.
5.110.
5.111.
5.112.
5.113.
Authority of City of Charlotte .......................................................... 5-1
Initiation of an appeal or variance .................................................... 5-2
Filing of notice of appeal .................................................................. 5-2
Filing of variance petition ................................................................. 5-3
Determination of completeness ........................................................ 5-3
Staff review ....................................................................................... 5-3
Notice and hearing ............................................................................ 5-3
Standards for granting a variance ..................................................... 5-3
Standards for granting an appeal ...................................................... 5-4
Action by the Board of Adjustment .................................................. 5-5
Effect of grant of variance or reversal or modification of
administrative decision ................................................................. 5-5
Rehearing .......................................................................................... 5-5
Appeal from Board of Adjustment ................................................... 5-6
CHAPTER 6: AMENDMENTS
Part 1: Provisions of General Applicability
6.101.
6.102.
6.103.
6.104.
6.105.
6.106.
6.107.
6.108.
6.109.
6.110.
6.111.
Purpose ............................................................................................. 6-1
Authority ........................................................................................... 6-1
Initiation ............................................................................................ 6-1
Preliminary meeting with staff ......................................................... 6-2
Filing of petitions .............................................................................. 6-2
[RESERVED] ................................................................................... 6-2
Staff review ....................................................................................... 6-3
Withdrawal and amendment of petition ........................................... 6-3
Notice of hearing .............................................................................. 6-5
Hearing ............................................................................................. 6-5
Action by City Council ..................................................................... 6-6
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PAGE
6.112.
6.113.
Effect of denial of petition ................................................................ 6-7
Protest petitions ................................................................................ 6-9
Part 2: Conditional Zoning Districts
6.201.
6.202.
6.203.
6.204.
6.205.
6.206.
6.207.
6.208.
6.209.
Purpose ........................................................................................... 6-11
Plans and other information to accompany petition ....................... 6-12
Required community meeting before public hearing ..................... 6-14
Approval of conditional zoning district .......................................... 6-14
Conditions to approval of petition .................................................. 6-15
Effect of approval ........................................................................... 6-15
Alterations to approval ................................................................... 6-16
Review of approval of a conditional zoning district ...................... 6-19
Protest petitions ............................................................................. 6-19
CHAPTER 7: NONCONFORMITIES
7.101.
7.102.
7.103.
7.104.
7.105.
Purpose; applicability ....................................................................... 7-1
Nonconforming uses ......................................................................... 7-1
Nonconforming structures ................................................................ 7-2
Nonconforming accessory uses and accessory structures ................ 7-3
Nonconforming vacant lots............................................................... 7-4
CHAPTER 8: ENFORCEMENT
8.101.
8.102.
8.103.
8.104.
8.105.
8.106.
8.107.
Enforcement ...................................................................................... 8-1
Enforcement procedures ................................................................... 8-1
General enforcement provisions ....................................................... 8-1
Criminal penalties ............................................................................. 8-2
Citations ............................................................................................ 8-2
Civil judicial remedies ...................................................................... 8-3
Other remedies .................................................................................. 8-4
CHAPTER 9: GENERAL DISTRICTS
Part 1: Table of Uses and Hierarchy of Districts
9.101.
9.102.
9.103.
Table of uses ..................................................................................... 9-1
Hierarchy of districts ........................................................................ 9-1
Classification of Zoning Districts ..................................................... 9-2
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PAGE
Part 2: Single Family Districts (R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6 and R-8)
9.201.
9.202.
9.203.
9.204.
9.205.
Single family districts established; purposes .................................... 9-3
Uses permitted by right ..................................................................... 9-3
Uses permitted under prescribed conditions ..................................... 9-3
Permitted accessory uses and structures ........................................... 9-8
Development standards for single family districts ......................... 9-11
Part 3: Multi-Family Districts (R-8MF, R-12MF, R-17MF,
R-22MF and R-43MF)
9.301.
9.302.
9.303.
9.304.
9.305.
Multi-family districts established; purposes ................................... 9-24
Uses permitted by right ................................................................... 9-24
Uses permitted under prescribed conditions ................................... 9-25
Permitted accessory uses and structures ......................................... 9-34
Development standards for multi-family districts .......................... 9-37
Part 4: Urban Residential Districts (UR-1, UR-2, UR-3 and UR-C)
9.401.
9.402.
9.403.
9.404.
9.405.
9.406.
9.407.
9.408.
Urban Residential districts; location; purposes .............................. 9-46
Established ...................................................................................... 9-47
Uses permitted by right ................................................................... 9-48
Uses permitted under prescribed conditions ................................... 9-49
Accessory structures ....................................................................... 9-51
Area, yard and height regulations ................................................... 9-51
Development standards for various uses ........................................ 9-64
Off-street parking and loading standards ........................................ 9-70
Part 5: Institutional District (INST)
9.501.
9.502.
9.503.
9.504.
9.505.
Institutional district established; purpose ....................................... 9-72
Uses permitted by right ................................................................... 9-72
Uses permitted under prescribed conditions ................................... 9-73
Permitted accessory uses and structures ......................................... 9-77
Development standards for the institutional district ....................... 9-78
Part 6: Research Districts (RE-1 and RE-2)
9.601.
9.602.
9.603.
9.604.
9.605.
9.606
9.607
Research districts established; purposes ......................................... 9-80
Uses permitted by right ................................................................... 9-80
Uses permitted under prescribed conditions ................................... 9-81
Permitted accessory uses and structures ......................................... 9-86
Development standards for research districts ................................. 9-87
Design Standards ............................................................................ 9-89
Administrative Approval ................................................................ 9-92
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PAGE
Part 7: Office Districts (O-1, O-2 and O-3)
9.701.
9.702.
9.703.
9.704.
9.705.
Office districts established; purposes ............................................. 9-93
Uses permitted by right ................................................................... 9-93
Uses permitted under prescribed conditions ................................... 9-95
Permitted accessory uses and structures ....................................... 9-104
Development standards for office districts ................................... 9-106
Part 8: Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-D and BP)
9.801.
9.802.
9.803.
9.804.
9.805.
Business districts established; purposes ....................................... 9-110
Uses permitted by right ................................................................. 9-111
Uses permitted under prescribed conditions ................................. 9-117
Permitted accessory uses and structures ....................................... 9-126
Development standards for business districts ............................... 9-127
Part 8.5: Mixed Use Development District (MUDD)
9.8501.
9.8502.
9.8503.
9.8504.
9.8505.
9.8506.
9.8507.
9.8508.
9.8509.
9.8510.
9.8511.
9.8512.
Mixed Use Development district established; purpose;
options ..................................................................................... 9-134
Uses permitted by right ................................................................. 9-134
Uses permitted under prescribed conditions ................................. 9-138
Accessory uses .............................................................................. 9-140
Area, yard and height regulations ................................................. 9-141
Urban design and development standards .................................... 9-142
Parking and loading standards ...................................................... 9-150
(Optional); purpose ....................................................................... 9-152
(Optional); application .................................................................. 9-153
(Optional); review and approval ................................................... 9-154
(Optional); effect of approval; alterations .................................... 9-154
(Optional); relationship to other ordinances ................................. 9-155
Part 9: Uptown Mixed Use District (UMUD)
9.901.
9.902.
9.903.
9.904.
9.905.
9.906.
9.907.
9.908.
9.909.
9.910.
9.911.
Uptown Mixed Use district established; purpose;
periodic review ........................................................................ 9-156
Uses permitted by right ................................................................. 9-157
Uses permitted under prescribed conditions ................................. 9-160
Accessory uses .............................................................................. 9-163
Area, yard and height regulations ................................................. 9-164
Urban design and development standards .................................... 9-165
Parking and loading standards ...................................................... 9-184
(Optional); purpose ....................................................................... 9-188
(Optional); application .................................................................. 9-188
(Optional); review and approval ................................................... 9-189
(Optional); effect of approval; alterations .................................... 9-189
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PAGE
9.912.
9.913.
(Optional); relationship to other ordinances ................................. 9-190
Previously approved UMUD-O zoning ........................................ 9-190
Part 10: Urban Industrial District (UI)
9.1001.
9.1002.
9.1003.
9.1004.
9.1005.
9.1006.
9.1007.
9.1008.
Urban Industrial district established; location; purposes .............. 9-191
Uses permitted by right ................................................................. 9-191
Uses permitted under prescribed conditions ................................. 9-193
Permitted accessory uses .............................................................. 9-194
Area, yard and height requirements .............................................. 9-195
Development standards ................................................................. 9-196
Off-street parking.......................................................................... 9-196
Signs ............................................................................................. 9-197
Part 11: Industrial Districts (I-1 and I-2)
9.1101.
9.1102.
9.1103.
9.1104.
9.1105.
Industrial districts established; purposes ...................................... 9-198
Uses permitted by right ................................................................. 9-198
Uses permitted under prescribed conditions ................................. 9-203
Permitted accessory uses and structures ....................................... 9-217
Development standards for industrial districts ............................. 9-218
Part 12: Transit Oriented Development Districts
9.1201
9.1202
9.1203
9.1204
9.1205
9.1206
9.1207
9.1208
9.1209
9.1210
9.1211
9.1212
9.1213
Purpose ......................................................................................... 9-222
Establishment of Transit Oriented Development Districts ........... 9-222
Rezoning to a TOD Zoning District ............................................. 9-225
Applicability and Exceptions ........................................................ 9-225
Uses Permitted by Right ............................................................... 9-228
Uses Permitted Under Prescribed Conditions............................... 9-231
Accessory Uses ............................................................................. 9-232
Development Standards ................................................................ 9-233
Urban Design Standards ............................................................... 9-247
Administrative Approval .............................................................. 9-254
Board of Adjustment..................................................................... 9-255
Transit Oriented Development Zoning Districts (Optional) ......... 9-255
Preliminary Review ...................................................................... 9-256
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PAGE
CHAPTER 10: OVERLAY DISTRICTS
Part 1: Purpose
10.101.
Purpose ........................................................................................... 10-1
Part 2: Historic Districts (HD-O)
10.201.
10.202.
10.203.
10.204.
10.205.
10.206.
10.207.
10.208.
10.209.
10.210.
10.211.
10.212.
10.213.
10.214.
10.215.
10.216.
10.217.
Purpose and applicability................................................................ 10-2
Designation of Historic Districts .................................................... 10-2
Certificate of Appropriateness required.......................................... 10-3
Exterior features.............................................................................. 10-4
Minor works.................................................................................... 10-4
Duration of certificate of appropriateness ...................................... 10-4
Interior arrangement ....................................................................... 10-5
Procedure ........................................................................................ 10-5
Notice .............................................................................................. 10-5
Standards......................................................................................... 10-5
Ordinary maintenance ..................................................................... 10-7
Demolition or removal .................................................................... 10-8
Appeal to Zoning Board of Adjustment ......................................... 10-9
Enforcement .................................................................................... 10-9
Submission of site plan and compliance with the Zoning
Ordinance and other applicable laws ........................................ 10-10
Revocation of building permit ...................................................... 10-10
Denial or revocation of certificate of compliance and
occupancy ................................................................................. 10-11
Part 3: Airport Zone
Subpart A: Airport Height Restriction Zones
10.301.
Airport height zones established; purpose .................................... 10-12
10.302.
Height restrictions ......................................................................... 10-15
10.303.
Additional use restrictions ............................................................ 10-15
10.304 - 10.310 [RESERVED] ........................................................................ 10-15
Subpart B: Airport Noise Disclosure Overlay District
10.311.
10.312.
10.313.
10.314.
Airport noise disclosure overlay district established; purpose ..... 10-16
Boundaries of overlay ................................................................... 10-16
Definitions .................................................................................... 10-16
Building permit and certificate of occupancy notice .................... 10-17
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PAGE
Part 4: Manufactured Home Overlay (MH-O)
10.401.
10.402.
10.403.
Purpose ......................................................................................... 10-18
Procedures for district designation; additional application
content requirements ................................................................. 10-18
Uses permitted under prescribed conditions ................................. 10-19
Part 5: Mountain Island Lake Watershed Overlay
10.501.
10.502.
10.503.
10.504.
10.505.
10.506.
10.507.
10.508.
10.509.
10.510.
Purpose ......................................................................................... 10-20
General definitions........................................................................ 10-20
Exceptions to applicability ........................................................... 10-25
Mountain Island Lake Watershed Overlay District
Subareas established ................................................................. 10-25
Uses and standards established ..................................................... 10-27
Development Standards for Mountain Island Lake
Watershed Overlay Districts ..................................................... 10-34
Cluster Development .................................................................... 10-35
Buffer areas required .................................................................... 10-35
High Density Option ..................................................................... 10-37
Appeals and Variances ................................................................. 10-40
Part 6: Catawba River/Lake Wylie Watershed Overlay
10.601.
10.602.
10.603.
10.604.
10.605.
10.606.
10.607.
10.608.
10.609.
10.610.
Purpose ......................................................................................... 10-43
General definitions........................................................................ 10-43
Exceptions to applicability ........................................................... 10-47
Catawba River/Lake Wylie Watershed
Overlay District Subareas ......................................................... 10-48
Uses and standards established ..................................................... 10-48
Development Standards for the Catawba River/Lake Wylie
Watershed Overlay ................................................................... 10-50
Cluster Development .................................................................... 10-52
Buffer areas required .................................................................... 10-52
High Density Option ..................................................................... 10-54
Appeals and Variances ................................................................. 10-57
Part 7: Lower Lake Wylie Watershed Overlay
10.701.
10.702.
10.703.
Purpose ......................................................................................... 10-60
General definitions........................................................................ 10-60
Exceptions to applicability ........................................................... 10-64
10.704
Lower Lake Wylie Watershed Overlay District
Subareas established ................................................................ 10-66
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PAGE
10.705.
10.706
10.707.
10.708.
10.709.
10.710.
10.711.
Uses and standards established ..................................................... 10-66
Development standards for the Lower Lake Wylie
Watershed Overlay ................................................................... 10-68
Cluster development ..................................................................... 10-69
Buffer areas required .................................................................... 10-69
Mitigation ..................................................................................... 10-71
High density option....................................................................... 10-72
Appeals and variances .................................................................. 10-75
Part 8: Pedestrian Overlay District
10.801.
10.802.
10.803.
10.804.
10.805.
10.806.
10.807.
10.808.
10.809.
10.810.
10.811.
10.812.
10.813
Purpose ......................................................................................... 10-78
Applicability ................................................................................. 10-78
Administrative Approval .............................................................. 10-78
Board of Adjustment..................................................................... 10-79
Pedestrian Overlay District (Optional); Purpose .......................... 10-79
Pedestrian Overlay District (Optional); Application .................... 10-80
Pedestrian Overlay District (Optional)
Review and Approval ................................................................... 10-80
Pedestrian Overlay District (Optional); Effect of
Approval; Alterations ................................................................... 10-80
Preliminary Review ...................................................................... 10-80
Exceptions..................................................................................... 10-81
Uses............................................................................................... 10-83
Development Standards ................................................................ 10-84
Urban Design Standards ............................................................... 10-92
Part 9: Transit Supportive Overlay District
10.901.
10.902.
10.903.
10.904.
10.905.
10.906.
10.907.
10.908.
10.909.
10.910.
10.911.
10.912.
10.913.
Purpose ......................................................................................... 10-99
Applicability ................................................................................. 10-99
Conflicts ........................................................................................ 10-99
Rezoning to a Transit Supportive Overlay District (TS) ............ 10-100
Uses............................................................................................. 10-100
Accessory Uses ........................................................................... 10-102
Development Standards .............................................................. 10-102
Urban Design Standards ............................................................. 10-118
Exceptions................................................................................... 10-125
Administrative Approval ............................................................ 10-130
Board of Adjustment................................................................... 10-130
Transit Supportive Overlay District (Optional) .......................... 10-131
Preliminary review...................................................................... 10-131
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PAGE
CHAPTER 11: CONDITIONAL ZONING DISTRICTS
Part 1: Purpose
11.101.
Purpose ........................................................................................... 11-1
Part 2: Mixed Use Districts (MX-1, MX-2 and MX-3)
11.201.
11.202.
11.203.
11.204.
11.205.
11.206.
11.207.
11.208.
11.209.
Purpose ........................................................................................... 11-1
Uses permitted by right ................................................................... 11-2
Uses permitted under prescribed conditions ................................... 11-2
Permitted accessory uses and structures ......................................... 11-7
Development standards for MX-1, MX-2 and MX-3 districts ....... 11-8
Density limitations .......................................................................... 11-9
Common open space; density bonus............................................. 11-10
Innovative development standards ............................................... 11-11
Development standards of general applicability........................... 11-12
Part 3: Manufactured Housing District (R-MH)
11.301.
11.302.
11.303.
11.304.
11.305.
11.306.
11.307.
11.308.
11.309.
Purpose ......................................................................................... 11-13
Uses permitted by right ................................................................. 11-13
Uses permitted under prescribed conditions ................................. 11-13
Development standards; density; common area requirements ..... 11-14
Streets and utilities ........................................................................ 11-15
Foundations, patios, and walkways .............................................. 11-15
Development standards of general applicability........................... 11-16
Compliance with other regulations ............................................... 11-16
Replacement of existing mobile homes and manufactured
homes ........................................................................................ 11-16
Part 4: Commercial Center District (CC)
11.401.
11.402.
11.403.
11.404.
11.405.
11.406.
11.407.
Purpose ......................................................................................... 11-17
Uses permitted by right ................................................................. 11-17
Uses permitted under prescribed conditions ................................. 11-19
Permitted accessory uses and structures ....................................... 11-21
Development standards ................................................................. 11-21
Accessways ................................................................................... 11-24
Development standards of general applicability........................... 11-25
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PAGE
Part 5: Neighborhood Services District (NS)
11.501.
11.502.
11.503.
11.504.
11.505.
11.506.
11.507.
11.508.
11.509.
Purpose ......................................................................................... 11-26
Applicability ................................................................................. 11-26
Uses permitted by right ................................................................. 11-26
Permitted accessory uses and structures ....................................... 11-26
Development standards ................................................................. 11-27
Parking requirements .................................................................... 11-28
Streetscape requirements .............................................................. 11-28
Development standards of general applicability........................... 11-29
Sign requirements in NS………………….. ................................. 11-30
Part 6: Hazardous Waste District (HW)
11.601.
11.602.
11.603.
11.604.
Purpose ......................................................................................... 11-31
Use permitted under prescribed conditions .................................. 11-31
Additional application requirements............................................. 11-32
Development standards of general applicability........................... 11-32
Part 7: RE-3 Research District
11.701.
11.702.
11.703.
11.704.
11.705.
11.706.
11.707
11.708
11.709
Purpose ......................................................................................... 11-33
Uses permitted by right ................................................................. 11-33
Uses permitted under prescribed conditions ................................. 11-34
Permitted accessory uses and structures ....................................... 11-35
Development standards ................................................................. 11-35
Design Standards .......................................................................... 11-42
Administrative Approval .............................................................. 11-47
Research 3 District (optional) ....................................................... 11-48
Preliminary Review ...................................................................... 11-49
CHAPTER 12: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY
Part 1: Supplemental Development Standards
12.101.
12.102.
12.103.
12.104.
12.105.
12.106.
12.107.
12.108.
Every lot must abut a street ............................................................ 12-1
Special lot, setback, yard and building envelope requirements ...... 12-2
Requirements for lots along thoroughfares..................................... 12-5
Computation of density................................................................... 12-9
Effect of certain street and public land dedications on
computation of density ............................................................... 12-9
Uses and structures prohibited and allowed in
required setbacks and yards ...................................................... 12-10
More than one principal building per lot ...................................... 12-14
Height limitations ......................................................................... 12-14
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PAGE
12.109.
12.110.
12.111.
Clear sight triangles at street intersections ................................... 12-23
Obstructions of public right-of-way ............................................. 12-25
[RESERVED] ............................................................................... 12-25
Part 2: Off-Street Parking and Loading
12.201.
12.202.
12.202A.
12.203.
12.204.
12.205.
12.206.
12.207.
12.208.
12.209.
12.210.
12.211.
12.212.
12.213.
12.214.
12.215.
12.216.
12.217.
12.218.
Purpose; parking plans .................................................................. 12-26
Required number of off-street parking spaces6
and bicycle spaces..................................................................... 12-26
Bicycle parking standards ............................................................. 12-32
Shared parking .............................................................................. 12-33
Size of required parking spaces and aisles ................................... 12-34
Required carpool spaces for certain employment uses ................. 12-35
Location of required parking ........................................................ 12-35
Parking barriers ............................................................................. 12-37
Interior landscaping requirements ................................................ 12-37
Allowable reductions and restrictions of parking ......................... 12-37
Maintenance responsibility for landscaped areas ......................... 12-38
Parking lot screening requirements .............................................. 12-38
Parking deck standards ................................................................. 12-38
Underground parking structures ................................................... 12-46
Number, size, and location of loading spaces............................... 12-46
Restriction on use of off-street parking and loading spaces ......... 12-47
Configuration of off-street parking and
loading ingress and egress ........................................................ 12-48
Driveways and street access ......................................................... 12-48
Commercial vehicle parking in residential areas .......................... 12-48
Part 3: Buffers and Screening
12.301.
12.302.
12.303.
12.304.
12.305.
12.306.
12.307.
12.308.
Purpose ......................................................................................... 12-50
Buffer requirements ...................................................................... 12-50
Screening requirements ................................................................ 12-58
Alternative buffer and screening requirements............................. 12-61
Maintenance responsibility for buffers and screening .................. 12-62
[RESERVED] .............................................................................. 12-62
Buffer requirements for residential uses adjoining
Class I streets with full control of access.................................. 12-62
Screening requirements when a development does not propose
two tiers of buildable lots ......................................................... 12-63
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Part 4: Accessory Uses and Structures
12.401.
12.402.
12.403.
12.404.
12.405.
12.406.
12.407.
12.408.
12.409.
12.410.
12.411.
12.412.
12.413.
12.414.
12.415.
12.416.
12.417
12.418
12.419
General requirements .................................................................... 12-66
Outdoor lighting............................................................................ 12-66
Solid waste containers compactors recycling containers, solid
waste and recycling handling areas and service entrances ....... 12-66
Active Adult Retirement Community........................................... 12-68
Land Clearing and Inert Debris landfills (LCID); on-site ............ 12-69
Fences and walls in residential districts........................................ 12-69
Dwelling accessory unit ................................................................ 12-70
Customary home occupations ....................................................... 12-71
Marinas ......................................................................................... 12-73
Private kennels .............................................................................. 12-74
Private stables ............................................................................... 12-74
Reserved ....................................................................................... 12-74
Drive-in and drive-through service lanes / windows .................... 12-75
Automobile, truck and trailer rental.............................................. 12-76
Helistops, limited .......................................................................... 12-77
Satellite dish farm ......................................................................... 12-77
Outdoor sales, accessory ............................................................... 12-78
Public flags on permanent flag poles ............................................ 12-80
Outdoor dining .............................................................................. 12-81
Part 5: Special Requirements for Certain Uses
12.501.
12.502.
12.503.
12.504.
12.505.
12.506.
12.507.
12.508.
12.509.
12.510.
12.511.
12.512.
12.513.
12.514.
12.515.
12.516.
12.517.
12.518.
Purpose ......................................................................................... 12-83
Adult care homes, adult care center, childcare centers
childcare centers in a residence, childcare homes,
and large childcare centers....................................................... 12-83
Land Clearing and Inert Debris landfills (LCID): off-site............ 12-88
Public utility structures ................................................................. 12-91
Quarries......................................................................................... 12-92
Religious institutions in residential districts ................................. 12-95
Sanitary landfills ........................................................................... 12-98
Cemeteries, public and private ................................................... 12-100
Public utility transmission and distribution lines........................ 12-101
Mobile food vending services ..................................................... 12-102
Indoor training and shooting facilities ........................................ 12-104
Riding academies and boarding stables ...................................... 12-104
Bus stop shelters ......................................................................... 12-104
Equestrian oriented subdivisions ................................................ 12-105
Special requirements for facilities located on or adjacent to the
Catawba River and its impoundments (Lake Norman,
Lake Wylie and Mountain Island) .......................................... 12-106
Open space recreational uses ...................................................... 12-112
Group homes ............................................................................... 12-113
Adult establishments ................................................................... 12-113
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PAGE
12.519.
12.520.
12.521.
12.522.
12.523.
12.524.
12.525.
12.526.
12.527.
12.528.
12.529.
12.530.
12.531
12.532
12.533
12.534
12.535
12.536
12.537
12.538
12.539
12.540
12.541
12.542
12-543
12-544
12-545
12-546
Outdoors seasonal sales .............................................................. 12-115
Boarding houses.......................................................................... 12-116
Bed and Breakfasts (B & B's) ..................................................... 12-117
Short-Term Care Facility ............................................................ 12-118
Beneficial fill sites ...................................................................... 12-119
Construction and Demolition (C & D) landfills ......................... 12-120
Medical waste disposal facilities ................................................ 12-121
Solid Waste Transfer Stations .................................................... 12-124
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) residences ............................... 12-126
Enclosure at foundation for structures ........................................ 12-128
Sidewalk connections to public streets ....................................... 12-128
Day labor service agencies… ..................................................... 12-130
Commercial Rooming Houses .................................................... 12-131
Donation drop-off facilities ........................................................ 12-132
Funeral Homes, with accessory embalming
in the Institutional Zoning District ......................................... 12-134
Periodic retail sales events, off-premise ..................................... 12-134
Periodic retail sales events, on-premise ...................................... 12-136
Accessory shelters ...................................................................... 12-137
Emergency shelters ..................................................................... 12-137
Homeless shelters ....................................................................... 12-137
Outdoor fresh produce stands ..................................................... 12-138
Outdoor recreation ...................................................................... 12-140
Pet Services indoor/outdoor ........................................................ 12-142
Crematory facilities .................................................................... 12-143
Bicycle sharing station ................................................................ 12-144
Breweries .................................................................................... 12-145
Tattoo establishment ................................................................... 12-146
Eating, Drinking, and Entertainment
Establishments (Type 2 only)………………………….......12-147
Part 6: Stormwater Drainage
12.601.
12.602.
12.603.
Drainage plan approval required ................................................ 12-151
Required contents of drainage plan ............................................ 12-151
Standards for plan approval ........................................................ 12-152
Part 7: Nuisances
12.701.
12.702.
12.703.
Noise ........................................................................................... 12-153
Fumes and odors ......................................................................... 12-153
Vibration ..................................................................................... 12-153
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PAGE
Part 8: S.W.I.M. (Surface Water Improvement and Management) Stream Buffers
12.801.
12.802.
12.803.
12.804.
12.805.
12.806.
12.807.
Purpose ....................................................................................... 12-154
Definitions .................................................................................. 12-154
Applicability ............................................................................... 12-156
Buffer Standards ......................................................................... 12-157
Incentives .................................................................................... 12-160
Mitigation ................................................................................... 12-161
Appeals and Variances ............................................................... 12-165
Part 9: Other Applicable City Code Land Development Provisions
Other applicable City Code Land Development
Provisions ................................................................................... 12-166
CHAPTER 13: SIGN REGULATIONS
13.101.
13.102.
13.103.
13.104.
13.105.
13.106.
13.107.
13.108.
13.108a.
13.108b.
13.109.
13.110.
13.111.
13.112.
13.113.
13.114.
Intent and purpose........................................................................... 13-1
Definitions ...................................................................................... 13-1
Procedures..................................................................................... 13-16
General Provisions ........................................................................ 13-21
Prohibited Signs ............................................................................ 13-22
Signs not requiring permit ............................................................ 13-23
Temporary signs and banners requiring permits .......................... 13-27
Specifications for permanent signs requiring a permit ................. 13-29
Specifications for permanent signs in Uptown Mixed
Use District requiring a permit ................................................. 13-33
Information and advertising pillar signs ....................................... 13-37
District regulations for permanent on-premises signs .................. 13-43
Creation of Special Sign Regulations ........................................... 13-49
Regulations for Outdoor Advertising Signs ................................. 13-66
Removal of certain signs .............................................................. 13-71
Enforcement .................................................................................. 13-73
Variances and Appeals ................................................................. 13-74
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PAGE
CHAPTER 14: SPECIAL USE PERMITS
Part 1: [RESERVED]
Part 2: [RESERVED]
Part 3: Cancellation by Surrender and Termination, Modification and Revocation
of Special Use Permits
14.301.
14.302.
14.303.
14.304.
Cancellation by surrender of a special use permit .......................... 14-1
Termination of a special use permit................................................ 14-2
Modification of an approved special use permit............................. 14-2
Revocation ...................................................................................... 14-2
CHAPTER 15: SUBJECT INDEX ............................................................................... 15-1
APPENDICES:
Appendix 1: Reserved ........................................................................................ A-1
Appendix 2: Zoning Maps Conversion Process................................................. A-1
Appendix 3: N.C. General Statute Article 26A (Sec. 14.202.10)
Adult Establishments ................................................................... A-4
Appendix 4: Amendments (since this printing) ................................................ A-6
Appendix 5: Watershed Buffer Guidelines for Mecklenburg County ............... A-7
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