MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
Believe it or not, many buildings that make Charlotte such a vibrant
city today started out in different lives:
• A restaurant/bistro that used to be a factory
• A bed and breakfast that was a home
• A church converted from a warehouse
The process owners must go through before transforming one
structure into something new is called a Change of Use.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement
coordinates this process for:
Mecklenburg County
Charlotte
Davidson
Cornelius
Huntersville
Pineville
Matthews
Mint Hill
If you are thinking about giving your home or property a new life,
follow this step by step Change of Use process.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
Determine the correct address and intended use of the property
Access the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning website at:
http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/planning/Pages/Home.aspx
Determine from the Zoning Ordinance if the
intended use is permitted.
This information can also be obtained from
the Zoning Information Counter at the Hal
Marshall Center 700 N Tryon Charlotte, NC
28202
Verification letters are also available for
permitted uses at the Zoning Information
Counter
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
Drawings must comply with
2012 NCSBC or 2012 NC Rehab Code
Click on picture
for more information
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
Every building and space is designed to be code compliant for the use intended in the space.
Each occupancy has different code requirements, tied directly to the hazard of the use. As the
risk to human life increases, the more stringent the requirements of the code.
There are 10 main occupancy groups in the Building Code:
Assembly
Business
Educational
Factory
High-Hazard
Institutional
Mercantile
Residential
Storage
Utility and Miscellaneous
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
Example: A nail salon (business occupancy) vacates a space and
the new tenant will operate a gift shop (mercantile occupancy).
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
Example
A business occupancy is
A mercantile occupancy
figured at 100 square foot
is figured at 30 square
per person for egress
foot per person. This
requirements. In a 3000
square foot space, there
would be 30 occupants
3000 Square ft.
same space now could
have 100 occupants.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
When a change of use occurs, it is necessary to have a design professional
evaluate the space and make appropriate changes to bring the space up to
current code for the new occupancy.
These types of projects must be submitted for plan review and permits.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
A few main areas of concern are to determine if there are adequate
exits and restrooms to accommodate the additional load.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
The Code Enforcement Official needs to verify the space is now code
compliant and a new Certificate of Occupancy would be issued when
the permit is given final approval for the new occupancy.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
For a complete list of Plan Submittal Requirements
follow the link
Drawings need to contain
at minimum:
• Site plans
• Existing floor plans
• Proposed floor plans
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
Access our website at:
meckpermit.com
After it has been determined
that the intended use is
permitted by Zoning then the
project can be submitted for
Plan Review at the link above.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
Access our website at:
meckpermit.com
Choose:
Online Permitting
Inspection & Plan
Review Services
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
Access our website at:
meckpermit.com
Choose:
Commercial Drawings
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
Access our website at:
meckpermit.com
Choose:
Electronic Plan Review
and Submittal
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
You have arrived at our Electronic Plan Management (EPM)
Dashboard
Login
or
Create
a
For assistance in creating
a new account choose
the link
New Account
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
From the Home Tab
Screen choose
Submit Building
Construction Plan
Application
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
Download
OnSchedule
Application Form
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
Complete the
OnSchedule
Application Form
For assistance in completing
the OnSchedule application
form choose the link
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
Under the Type of Work
Section
(Additional Information)
indicate
Change of Use
√
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
For more information on the Electronic Plan Review
Process please follow the helpful links below
Uploading Drawings for Electronic Plan Review
Packaging Drawings for Electronic Plan Review
Bookmarking a file
Completing the Sheet Index
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANGE OF USE PROCESS
For questions or detailed information on this process
Please contact:
The Commercial Technical Assistance Center (CTAC)
Phone:704-432-4668 or email:
ctac@mecklenburgcountync.gov
Or follow the link to the CTAC webpage