Cary City Zoning Code
Complete index of all zoning chapters, sections, and subsections
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sections
- 1.1 TITLE; EFFECTIVE DATE
- 1.2 AUTHORITY
- 1.3 GENERAL PURPOSES
- 1.4 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND OTHER PLANS AND MANUALS
- 1.5 ZONING MAP
- 1.6 JURISDICTION AND APPLICABILITY
- 1.7 LDO COMPLIANCE REQUIRED
- 1.8 CONFLICTING PROVISIONS
- 1.9 SEVERABILITY
- 1.10 TRANSITIONAL RULES
- 1.11 NAME OF DEPARTMENT
- 1.12 MAPS
CHAPTER 2
REVIEW AND DECISION-MAKING BODIES
Sections
- 2.1 SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE ADMINISTRATION AND REVIEW ROLES
- 2.2 TOWN COUNCIL
- 2.3 PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD
- 2.4 ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
- 2.5 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
- 2.6 PARKS, RECREATION, AND CULTURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD
- 2.7 PUBLIC ART ADVISORY BOARD
- 2.8 STAFF DEPARTMENTS
CHAPTER 3
REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCEDURES
Sections
- 3.1 COMMON REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCEDURES
- 3.1.1 Authority to File Applications
- 3.1.2 Form of Application
- 3.1.3 Processing Fees
- 3.1.4 Application Completeness
- 3.1.5 Pre-Application Conferences
- 3.1.6 Notice Requirements
- 3.1.7 Hearing Procedures
- 3.1.8 Conditions of Approval
- 3.1.9 Simultaneous Processing of Development Applications
- 3.1.10 Owner-Initiated Annexation Petitions
- 3.1.11 Processing Cycles
- 3.1.12 Inaction by Review and Decision-Making Bodies
- 3.1.13 Lapse of Approval
- 3.1.14 Common Review and Approval Procedures
- 3.1.15 Development Approval
- 3.1.16 Revocation of Development Approval
- 3.2 AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
- 3.3 AMENDMENTS TO THE TEXT OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE
- 3.4 REZONINGS
- 3.5 ACCESSORY USE PERMITS
- 3.6 PERMITTED USES
- 3.7 TEMPORARY USES
- 3.8 SPECIAL USES
- 3.9 SUBDIVISIONS PLATS AND DEVELOPMENT PLANS
- 3.11 RE-USE/REDEVELOPMENT PLANS
- 3.12 DEVELOPMENT IN FLOOD HAZARD AREA
- 3.13 GRADING PERMITS
- 3.14 BUILDING PERMITS
- 3.15 CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY
- 3.16 SIGN PERMITS
- 3.17 SITE-SPECIFIC VESTING PLANS; VESTED RIGHTS
- 3.18 ADEQUATE PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES (REPEALED 9/9/04)
- 3.19 MINOR MODIFICATIONS
- 3.20 VARIANCES
- 3.21 APPEALS OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS
- 3.24 REIMBURSEMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
- 3.25 REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
- 3.26 ZONING COMPLIANCE PERMIT
- 3.27 HISTORIC PRESERVATION
CHAPTER 4
ZONING DISTRICTS
Sections
- 4.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
- 4.2 GENERAL USE DISTRICTS
- 4.3 CONDITIONAL USE DISTRICTS
- 4.4 OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICTS
- 4.5 FLEXIBLE USE DISTRICTS
CHAPTER 5
USE REGULATIONS
Sections
- 5.1 TABLES OF PERMITTED USES
- 5.2 USE-SPECIFIC STANDARDS
- 5.3 ACCESSORY USES AND STRUCTURES
- 5.4 TEMPORARY USES AND STRUCTURES
CHAPTER 6
DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS AND MEASUREMENTS
Sections
- 6.1 TABLES OF DENSITY AND DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS
- 6.2 LOT MEASUREMENT AND REQUIREMENTS
- 6.3 SETBACK MEASUREMENT AND REQUIREMENTS
- 6.4 HEIGHT MEASUREMENT AND REQUIREMENTS
- 6.5 BULK MEASUREMENT AND REQUIREMENTS
CHAPTER 7
DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN STANDARDS
Sections
- 7.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
- 7.2 LANDSCAPING, BUFFERING, SCREENING, AND TREE PROTECTION
- 7.2.1 Purpose
- 7.2.2 General Provisions
- 7.2.3 Requirements for Perimeter Buffers and Landscape Areas
- 7.2.4 Streetscape Landscaping
- 7.2.5 Tree Protection,
- 7.2.6 Parking Lot Landscaping
- 7.2.7 Fences and Walls
- 7.2.8 Screening
- 7.2.9 Miscellaneous Landscaping Requirements
- 7.2.10 Allowable Modifications and Reductions
- 7.2.11 Time for Installation of Required Landscaping
- 7.2.12 Implementation of Landscape Plan; Inspections
- 7.2.13 Maintenance Responsibility, Replacement of Damaged Vegetation, and Associated Fines
- 7.2.15 Highway Corridor Buffer
- 7.3 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
- 7.6 NUISANCE AND HAZARD CONTROL STANDARDS
- 7.7 BUILDING DESIGN STANDARDS
- 7.8 OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING
- 7.9 EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- 7.10 CONNECTIVITY
- 7.11 TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT FEES
- 7.11.1 Purpose
- 7.11.2 Authority
- 7.11.3 Findings
- 7.11.4 Applicability
- 7.11.5 Condition of Approval
- 7.11.6 Transportation Zones
- 7.11.7 Fees
- 7.11.8 Individual Assessments
- 7.11.10 Fund Accounting
- 7.11.11 Use of Funds
- 7.11.12 Refunds
- 7.11.13 Updates and Revisions
- 7.11.14
- 7.11.15 Use of Offset
- 7.11.17 Other Financing Methods
- 7.11.18 Fee as Supplemental Regulation
- 7.11.20 Relief Procedures
- 7.11.21 Hearings
CHAPTER 8
STANDARDS FOR SUBDIVISIONS AND USES REQUIRING SITE PLANS
Sections
- 8.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
- 8.1.1 General Design Standards
- 8.1.2 Phasing Plan Requirements
- 8.1.3 Required Improvements
- 8.1.4 Improvements
- 8.1.5 Payment of Fees in Lieu of Required Improvements
- 8.1.6 Restrictions on Certificate of Occupancy
- 8.1.7 Timing and Inspection of Improvements
- 8.1.8 Final Acceptance of Improvements for Town Maintenance
- 8.1.9 Subdivision Monuments, Blocks, and Lots
- 8.2 RECREATION AREAS
- 8.3 PRIVATE OPEN SPACE
- 8.4 ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT OPTION: CLUSTER RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS
- 8.4.1 Purpose
- 8.4.2 Applicability
- 8.4.3 Approval of Cluster Site and/or Subdivision Plans
- 8.4.4 Allowable Density, Lot Size and Open Space Requirements
- 8.4.5 Calculating Base Number of Lots
- 8.4.6 Maximum Density, Minimum Lot Size and Open Space Requirements
- 8.4.7 Basic Requirements for Cluster Development
- 8.4.8 Provision and Maintenance of Open Space and Facilities
- 8.5 ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT OPTION: TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
CHAPTER 9
SIGNS
Sections
- 9.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
- 9.1.1 Purposes and Effects
- 9.1.2 Rules of Interpretation
- 9.1.3 Definitions
- 9.1.4 Applicability
- 9.1.5 Calculation and Measurement
- 9.1.6 Plans and Permits Required
- 9.1.7 Consent of Legal Owner of Property
- 9.1.8 Sign Maintenance
- 9.1.9 Violations; Enforcement; Removal of Certain Signs
- 9.1.10 Viewpoint Neutrality
- 9.1.11 Substitution of Messages
- 9.1.12 Severability
- 9.2 PERMANENT SIGNS
- 9.2.1 Applicability
- 9.2.2 Sign Materials
- 9.2.3 Sign Color
- 9.2.4 Illumination
- 9.2.5 Permanent Sign Types and Applicable Standards on Property Not Containing a Single-Unit Residence or Duplex
- 9.2.6 Permanent Sign Types and Applicable Standards Allowed Only in Town Center and Mixed Use Overlay Districts, on Property Not Containing a Single-Unit Residence or Duplex
- 9.2.7 Permanent Sign Types and Applicable Standards on Property Containing a Single-Unit Residence or Duplex
- 9.2.8 Master Sign Plans
- 9.2.9 Non-Conformities
- 9.3 TEMPORARY SIGNS
CHAPTER 10
NONCONFORMITIES
Sections
- 10.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
- 10.1.1 Purpose
- 10.1.2 General Policy
- 10.1.3 Determination of Nonconformity Status
- 10.1.4 Change of Ownership or Tenancy
- 10.1.5 Exception Due to Variance or Modification
- 10.1.6 Damage or Destruction
- 10.1.7 Continuation, Maintenance, and Minor Repair
- 10.1.8 Enlargement, Expansion, Alteration, or Major Repair
- 10.1.9 Enforcement of Requirements
- 10.2 NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES AND/OR SITES
- 10.3 NONCONFORMING USES
- 10.4 NONCONFORMING LOTS OF RECORD
- 10.5 NONCONFORMING SIGNS
CHAPTER 11
ENFORCEMENT
Sections
- 11.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
- 11.2 RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENFORCEMENT AND APPEALS
- 11.3 SPECIFIC VIOLATIONS
- 11.3.1 Land Disturbing Activities Inconsistent with Ordinance
- 11.3.2 Nonconformities Inconsistent with Ordinance
- 11.3.3 Increasing Intensity or Density of Use
- 11.3.4 Making Lots, Setbacks, Buffers, or Open Space Nonconforming
- 11.3.5 Activities Inconsistent with Conditions of Plan Approval or Permit
- 11.3.6 Failure to Remove Signs
- 11.3.7 Removal of, Damage to, Disturbance of and Pruning of Vegetation Inconsistent with Ordinance
- 11.4 REMEDIES AND PENALTIES FOR EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROL VIOLATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION
- 11.5 REMEDIES AND PENALTIES APPLICABLE TO OTHER SECTIONS OF THE LDO
- 11.6 ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES
- 11.7 ENFORCEMENT OF SIGN REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 12
RULES OF CONSTRUCTION, USE CLASSIFICATIONS, AND DEFINITIONS
Sections
- 12.1 INTERPRETATIONS
- 12.2 RULES OF CONSTRUCTION AND INTERPRETATION
- 12.2.1 Meanings and Intent
- 12.2.2 Headings, Illustrations, and Text
- 12.2.3 Lists and Examples
- 12.2.4 Computation of Time
- 12.2.5 Computation of Density
- 12.2.6 References to Other Regulations/Publications
- 12.2.7 Delegation of Authority
- 12.2.8 Technical and Non-Technical Terms
- 12.2.9 Public Officials and Agencies
- 12.2.10 Mandatory and Discretionary Terms
- 12.2.11 Conjunctions
- 12.2.12 Tenses, Plurals, and Gender
- 12.3 USE CLASSIFICATIONS
- 12.4 OTHER KEY TERMS DEFINED
CHAPTER 14
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION
Sections
- 14.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
- 14.2 NUISANCE AND HAZARD CONTROL STANDARDS
- 14.3 ILLEGAL DISCHARGES TO THE STORM SEWER SYSTEM
- 14.3.1 Purpose
- 14.3.2 Applicability
- 14.3.3 Responsibility for Administration
- 14.3.4 Compatibility With Other Regulations
- 14.3.5 Severability
- 14.3.6 Ultimate Responsibility
- 14.3.7 Discharge Prohibitions
- 14.3.8 Watercourse Protection
- 14.3.9 Industrial or Construction Activity Discharges
- 14.3.10 Compliance Monitoring
- 14.3.11 Requirement to Prevent, Control, and Reduce Stormwater Pollutants by the Use of Best Management Practices
- 14.3.12 Notification of Spills
- 14.3.13 Violations, Enforcement, and Penalties
- 14.3.14 Appeal of Notice of Violation
- 14.3.15 Enforcement Measures After Appeal
- 14.3.16 Cost of Abatement of the Violation
- 14.3.17 Violations Deemed a Public Nuisance
- 14.3.18 Remedies Not Exclusive
- 14.4 SOIL EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROL
- 14.5 TREE CLEARING CERTIFICATE
- 14.6 URBAN TRANSITION BUFFER REGULATIONS
- 14.6.1 The Purpose and Intent of Urban Transition Buffers
- 14.6.2 Establishing General Urban Transition Buffers
- 14.6.3 Establishing Specialized Urban Transition Buffers
- 14.6.4 Overlap or Conflict between Urban Transition Buffers established by Cary and buffers established by State of North Carolina or Federal Regulations
- 14.6.5 Activities Prohibited and Permitted in Urban Transition Buffers
- 14.6.6 Description of Buffers on Development Plans
- 14.6.7 Exclusion of Urban Transition Buffer and Riparian Buffer from Lots
- 14.6.8 Exemption when Existing Uses are Present and Ongoing
- 14.6.9 Determinations of No Practical Alternatives/Request for Authorization Certificate
- 14.6.10 Modification of Urban Transition Buffers as part of Approving Development Plans
- 14.6.11 Variances
- 14.6.12 Mitigation
- 14.6.13 Site Inspections
- 14.6.14 Violations; Fines; Enforcement
- 14.6.15 Delegation of Authority
- 14.6.16 Definitions
- 14.7 FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION
- 14.7.1 Purpose; Enforcement
- 14.7.2 Applicability
- 14.7.3 Development Restrictions and Related Standards In and Near Special Flood Hazard Areas and Future Conditions Flood Hazard Areas
- 14.7.4 Limitations on Encroachments in Floodways and Non-Encroachment Areas
- 14.7.5 Standards for Streams without Established Base Flood Elevations
- 14.7.6 Cross Drainage Area Standards and Restrictions
- 14.7.7 Special Requirements for Manufactured Homes
- 14.7.8 Special Requirements for Development Proposals Requiring Development Plan Approval
- 14.7.9 Downstream Impact Analysis
- 14.7.10 Non-Compliance