Charlotte City Zoning Code
Complete index of all zoning chapters, sections, and subsections
CHAPTER 1
- PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY
Sections
- Section 1.101. - Title.
- Section 1.102. - Authority and purpose.
- Section 1.103. - Jurisdiction.
- Section 1.104. - Zoning maps.
- Section 1.105. - Exceptions to applicability.
- Section 1.106. - Relation to other ordinances.
- Section 1.107. - Relation of this ordinance to any pending actions.
- Section 1.108. - Separability.
- Section 1.109. - Effective date.
- Section 1.110. - Procedures for establishing a vested right.
CHAPTER 3
- DECISION-MAKING AND ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES2
Sections
- PART 1: - CITY COUNCIL
- PART 2: - PLANNING COMMISSION
- PART 3: - BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
- PART 4: - HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
- PART 5: - PROFESSIONAL STAFF
- Section 3.501. - Planning department staff; powers and duties.
- Section 3.502. - Land use and environmental services agency (LUESA); powers and duties.
- Section 3.503. - Engineering and property management; powers and duties.
- Section 3.504. - Utility department; powers and duties.
- Section 3.505. - Parks and recreation department; powers and duties.
- Section 3.506. - Department of health; powers and duties.
- Section 3.507. - Department of environmental protection; powers and duties.
- Section 3.508. - Fire department; powers and duties.
- Section 3.509. - Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools staff; powers and duties.
- Section 3.510. - Department of transportation; powers and duties.
- Section 3.511. - Neighborhood development; powers and duties.
CHAPTER 4
- DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL
Sections
- Section 4.101. - General.
- Section 4.102. - Building permit required.
- Section 4.103. - Certificate of occupancy required.
- Section 4.104. - Zoning review.
- Section 4.105. - Public notification process for institutional uses locating adjacent to, or abutting single family residential zoning districts (R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, and R-8).
- Section 4.106. - Public notification process for certain land uses.
- Section 4.107. - Delegated authority for development approval based upon existing conditions.
CHAPTER 5
- APPEALS AND VARIANCES
Sections
- Section 5.101. - Authority of City of Charlotte.
- Section 5.102. - Initiation of an appeal or variance.
- Section 5.103. - Filing of notice of appeal.
- Section 5.104. - Filing of variance petition.
- Section 5.105. - Determination of completeness.
- Section 5.106. - Staff review.
- Section 5.107. - Notice and hearing.
- Section 5.108. - Standards for granting a variance.
- Section 5.109. - Standards for granting an appeal.
- Section 5.110. - Action by the board of adjustment.
- Section 5.111. - Effect of grant of variance or reversal or modification of administrative decision.
- Section 5.112. - Rehearing.
- Section 5.113. - Appeal from board of adjustment.
CHAPTER 6
- AMENDMENTS
Sections
- PART 1: - PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY
- Section 6.101. - Purpose.
- Section 6.102. - Authority.
- Section 6.103. - Initiation.
- Section 6.104. - Preliminary meeting with staff.
- Section 6.105. - Filing of petitions.
- Section 6.107. - Staff review.
- Section 6.108. - Withdrawal and amendment of petition.
- Section 6.109. - Notice of hearing.
- Section 6.110. - Hearing.
- Section 6.111. - Action by city council.
- Section 6.112. - Effect of denial of petition.
- Section 6.113. - Protest petitions.
- PART 2: - CONDITIONAL ZONING DISTRICTS
- Section 6.201. - Purpose.
- Section 6.202. - Plans and other information to accompany petition.
- Section 6.203. - Required community meeting before public hearing.
- Section 6.204. - Approval of conditional zoning district.
- Section 6.205. - Conditions to approval of petition.
- Section 6.206. - Effect of approval.
- Section 6.207. - Alterations to approval.
- Section 6.208. - Review of approval of a conditional zoning district.
- Section 6.209. - Protest petitions.
CHAPTER 9
- GENERAL DISTRICTS
Sections
- PART 1: - TABLE OF USES AND HIERARCHY OF DISTRICTS
- PART 2: - SINGLE FAMILY
- PART 3: - MULTIFAMILY DISTRICT
- PART 4: - URBAN RESIDENTIAL
- Section 9.401. - Urban Residential districts; location; purposes.
- Section 9.402. - Urban Residential Districts; established.
- Section 9.403. - Urban Residential Districts; uses permitted by right.
- Section 9.404. - Urban Residential Districts; uses permitted under prescribed conditions.
- Section 9.405. - Urban Residential Districts; accessory uses and structures.
- Section 9.406. - Urban Residential Districts; area, yard and height regulations.
- Section 9.407. - Urban Residential Districts; development standards for various uses.
- Section 9.408. - Urban Residential Districts; off-street parking and loading standards.
- PART 5: - INSTITUTIONAL
- PART 6: - RESEARCH[4]
- Section 9.601. - Research districts established; purposes.
- Section 9.602. - Uses permitted by right.
- Section 9.603. - Uses permitted under prescribed conditions.
- Section 9.604. - Permitted accessory uses and structures.
- Section 9.605. - Development standards for research districts.
- Section 9.606. - Design standards.
- Section 9.607. - Administrative approval.
- PART 7: - OFFICE[5]
- PART 8: - BUSINESS[6]
- PART 8.5: - MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT[7]
- Section 9.8501. - Mixed Use Development District established; purpose; options.
- Section 9.8502. - Mixed Use Development District; uses permitted right.
- Section 9.8503. - Mixed Use Development District; uses permitted under prescribed conditions.
- Section 9.8504. - Mixed Use Development District; accessory uses.
- Section 9.8505. - Mixed Use Development District.
- Section 9.8506. - Mixed Use Development District; urban design and development standards.
- Section 9.8507. - Mixed Use Development District; parking and loading standards.
- Section 9.8508. - Mixed Use Development District (Optional); purpose.
- Section 9.8509. - Mixed Use Development District (Optional); application.
- Section 9.8510. - Mixed Use Development District (Optional); review and approval.
- Section 9.8511. - Mixed Use Development District (Optional); effect of approval; alterations.
- Section 9.8512. - Mixed Use Development District (Optional); relationship to other ordinances.
- PART 9: - UPTOWN MIXED USE DISTRICT[8]
- Section 9.901. - Uptown Mixed Use District established; purpose; periodic review.
- Section 9.902. - Uptown Mixed Use District; uses permitted by right.
- Section 9.903. - Uptown Mixed Use District; uses permitted under prescribed conditions.
- Section 9.904. - Uptown Mixed Use District; accessory uses.
- Section 9.905. - Uptown Mixed Use District; area, yard and height regulations.
- Section 9.906. - Uptown Mixed Use District; urban design and development standards.
- Section 9.907. - Uptown Mixed Use District; parking and loading standards.
- Section 9.908. - Uptown Mixed Use District (Optional); purpose.
- Section 9.909. - Uptown Mixed Use District (Optional); application.
- Section 9.910. - Uptown Mixed Use District (Optional); review and approval.
- Section 9.911. - Uptown Mixed Use District (Optional); effect of approval; alterations.
- Section 9.912. - Uptown Mixed Use District (Optional); relationship to other ordinances.
- Section 9.913. - Previously approved UMUD-O zoning.
- PART 10: - URBAN INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT[9]
- Section 9.1001. - Urban Industrial District established; location; purposes.
- Section 9.1002. - Urban Industrial District; uses permitted by right.
- Section 9.1003. - Urban Industrial District; uses permitted under prescribed conditions.
- Section 9.1004. - Urban Industrial District; permitted accessory uses.
- Section 9.1005. - Urban Industrial District; area, yard and height requirements.
- Section 9.1006. - Urban Industrial District; development standards.
- Section 9.1007. - Urban Industrial District; off-street parking.
- Section 9.1008. - Urban Industrial District; signs.
- PART 11: - INDUSTRIAL[10]
- PART 12: - TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS
- Section 9.1201. - Purpose.
- Section 9.1202. - Establishment of Transit Oriented Development Districts.
- Section 9.1203. - Rezoning to a TOD Zoning District.
- Section 9.1204. - Applicability and Exceptions.
- Section 9.1205. - Uses permitted by right.
- Section 9.1206. - Uses permitted under prescribed conditions.
- Section 9.1207. - Accessory uses.
- Section 9.1208. - Development standards.
- Section 9.1209. - Urban design standards.
- Section 9.1210. - Administrative approval.
- Section 9.1211. - Board of adjustment.
- Section 9.1212. - Transit oriented development zoning districts (optional).
- Section 9.1213. - Preliminary review.
CHAPTER 10
- OVERLAY DISTRICTS
Sections
- PART 1: - PURPOSE
- PART 2: - HISTORIC DISTRICTS
- Section 10.201. - Purpose and applicability.
- Section 10.202. - Designation of Historic Districts.
- Section 10.203. - Certificate of Appropriateness required.
- Section 10.204. - Exterior features.
- Section 10.205. - Minor works.
- Section 10.206. - Duration of certificate of appropriateness.
- Section 10.207. - Interior arrangement.
- Section 10.208. - Procedure.
- Section 10.209. - Notice.
- Section 10.210. - Standards.
- Section 10.211. - Ordinary maintenance.
- Section 10.212. - Demolition or removal.
- Section 10.213. - Appeal to zoning board of adjustment.
- Section 10.214. - Enforcement.
- Section 10.215. - Submission of site plan and compliance with the zoning ordinance and other applicable laws.
- Section 10.216. - Revocation of building permit.
- Section 10.217. - Denial or revocation of certificate of compliance and occupancy.
- PART 4: - MANUFACTURED HOME OVERLAY
- PART 5: - MOUNTAIN ISLAND LAKE WATERSHED OVERLAY
- Section 10.501. - Purpose.
- Section 10.502. - General Definitions.
- Section 10.503. - Exceptions to applicability.
- Section 10.504. - Mountain Island Lake Watershed Overlay District Subareas established.
- Section 10.505. - Uses and standards established.
- Section 10.506. - Development standards for Mountain Island Lake Watershed Overlay Districts.
- Section 10.507. - Cluster development.
- Section 10.508. - Buffer areas required.
- Section 10.509. - High density option.
- Section 10.510. - Appeals and variances.
- PART 6: - CATAWBA RIVER/LAKE WYLIE WATERSHED OVERLAY
- Section 10.601. - Purpose.
- Section 10.602. - General definitions.
- Section 10.603. - Exceptions to applicability.
- Section 10.605. - Uses and standards established.
- Section 10.606. - Development standards for the Catawba River/Lake Wylie Watershed Overlay.
- Section 10.607. - Cluster development.
- Section 10.608. - Buffer areas required.
- Section 10.609. - High density option.
- Section 10.610. - Appeals and variances.
- PART 7: - LOWER LAKE WYLIE WATERSHED OVERLAY
- Section 10.701. - Purpose.
- Section 10.702. - General definitions.
- Section 10.703. - Exceptions to applicability.
- Section 10.704. - Lower Lake Wylie watershed overlay district subareas established.
- Section 10.705. - Uses and standards established.
- Section 10.706. - Development standards for the Lower Lake Wylie watershed overlay.
- Section 10.707. - Cluster development.
- Section 10.708. - Buffer areas required.
- Section 10.709. - Mitigation.
- Section 10.710. - High density option.
- Section 10.711. - Appeals and variances.
- PART 8: - PEDESTRIAN OVERLAY DISTRICT[12]
- Section 10.801. - Purpose.
- Section 10.802. - Applicability.
- Section 10.803. - Administrative approval.
- Section 10.804. - Board of adjustment.
- Section 10.805. - Pedestrian Overlay District (Optional); purpose.
- Section 10.806. - Pedestrian Overlay District (Optional); application.
- Section 10.807. - Pedestrian Overlay District (Optional); review and approval.
- Section 10.808. - Pedestrian Overlay District (Optional); effect of approval; alterations.
- Section 10.809. - Preliminary review.
- Section 10.810. - Exceptions.
- Section 10.811. - Uses.
- Section 10.812. - Development standards.
- Section 10.813. - Urban design standards.
- PART 9: - TRANSIT SUPPORTIVE OVERLAY DISTRICT
- Section 10.901. - Purpose.
- Section 10.902. - Applicability.
- Section 10.903. - Conflicts.
- Section 10.904. - Rezoning to a transit supportive overlay district (TS).
- Section 10.905. - Uses.
- Section 10.906. - Accessory uses.
- Section 10.907. - Development standards.
- Section 10.908. - Urban design standards.
- Section 10.909. - Exceptions.
- Section 10.910. - Administrative approval.
- Section 10.911. - Board of adjustment.
- Section 10.912. - Transit supportive overlay district (optional).
- Section 10.913. - Preliminary review.
CHAPTER 11
- CONDITIONAL ZONING DISTRICTS
Sections
- PART 1: - PURPOSE
- PART 2: - MIXED USE DISTRICTS (MX-1, MX-2, and MX-3)
- Section 11.201. - Purpose.
- Section 11.202. - Uses permitted by right.
- Section 11.203. - Uses permitted under prescribed conditions.
- Section 11.204. - Permitted accessory uses and structures.
- Section 11.205. - Development standards for MX-1, MX-2 and MX-3 districts.
- Section 11.206. - Density limitations.
- Section 11.207. - Common open space; density bonus.
- Section 11.208. - Innovative development standards.
- Section 11.209. - Development standards of general applicability.
- PART 3: - MANUFACTURED HOUSING
- Section 11.301. - Purpose.
- Section 11.302. - Uses permitted by right.
- Section 11.303. - Uses permitted under prescribed conditions.
- Section 11.304. - Development standards; density; common area requirements.
- Section 11.305. - Streets and utilities.
- Section 11.306. - Foundations, patios and walkways.
- Section 11.307. - Development standards of general applicability.
- Section 11.308. - Compliance with other regulations.
- Section 11.309. - Replacement of existing mobile homes and manufactured houses.
- PART 4: - COMMERCIAL CENTER DISTRICT
- Section 11.401. - Purpose.
- Section 11.402. - Uses permitted by right.
- Section 11.403. - Uses permitted under prescribed conditions.
- Section 11.404. - Permitted accessory uses and structures.
- Section 11.405. - Development standards.
- Section 11.406. - Accessways.
- Section 11.407. - Development standards of general applicability.
- PART 5: - NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES DISTRICT
- Section 11.501. - Purpose.
- Section 11.502. - Applicability.
- Section 11.503. - Uses permitted by right.
- Section 11.504. - Permitted accessory uses and structures.
- Section 11.505. - Development standards.
- Section 11.506. - Parking requirements.
- Section 11.507. - Streetscape requirements.
- Section 11.508. - Development standards of general applicability.
- Section 11.509. - Sign requirements in NS.
- PART 6: - HAZARDOUS WASTE DISTRICT
- PART 7: - RE-3 RESEARCH DISTRICT[13]
- Section 11.701. - Purpose.
- Section 11.702. - Uses permitted by right.
- Section 11.703. - Uses permitted under prescribed conditions.
- Section 11.704. - Permitted accessory uses and structures.
- Section 11.705. - Development standards.
- Section 11.706. - Design standards.
- Section 11.707. - Administrative approval.
- Section 11.708. - Research 3 District (optional).
- Section 11.709. - Preliminary review.
CHAPTER 12
- DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY
Sections
- PART 1: - SUPPLEMENTAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
- Section 12.101. - Every lot must abut a street.
- Section 12.102. - Special lot, setback, yard, and building envelope requirements.
- Section 12.103. - Requirements for lots along thoroughfares.
- Section 12.104. - Computation of density.
- Section 12.105. - Effect of certain street and public land dedications on computation of density.
- Section 12.106. - Uses and structures prohibited and allowed in required setbacks and yards.
- Section 12.107. - More than one principal building per lot.
- Section 12.108. - Height limitations.
- Section 12.109. - Clear sight triangles at street intersections.
- Section 12.110. - Obstructions of public right-of-way.
- Section 12.112. - Reserved.
- PART 2: - OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING[14]
- Section 12.201. - Purpose; parking plans.
- Section 12.202. - Required number of off-street parking and bicycle spaces.
- Section 12.202A. - Bicycle parking standards.
- Section 12.203. - Shared parking.
- Section 12.204. - Size of required parking spaces and aisles.
- Section 12.205. - Required carpool spaces for certain employment uses.
- Section 12.206. - Location of required parking.
- Section 12.207. - Parking barriers.
- Section 12.208. - Interior landscaping requirements.
- Section 12.209. - Allowable reductions and restrictions of parking.
- Section 12.210. - Maintenance responsibility for landscaped areas.
- Section 12.211. - Parking lot screening requirements.
- Section 12.212. - Parking deck standards.
- Section 12.213. - Underground parking structures.
- Section 12.214. - Number, size, and location of loading spaces.
- Section 12.215. - Restriction on use of off-street parking and loading spaces.
- Section 12.216. - Configuration of off-street parking and loading ingress and egress.
- Section 12.217. - Driveways and street access.
- Section 12.218. - Commercial vehicle parking in residential areas.
- PART 3: - BUFFERS AND SCREENING
- Section 12.301. - Purpose.
- Section 12.302. - Buffer requirements.
- Section 12.303. - Screening requirements.
- Section 12.304. - Alternative buffer and screening requirements.
- Section 12.305. - Maintenance responsibility for buffers and screening.
- Section 12.306. - Reserved.
- Section 12.307. - Buffer requirements for residential uses adjoining Class I streets with full control of access.
- Section 12.308. - Screening requirements when a development does not propose two tiers of buildable lots.
- PART 4: - ACCESSORY USES AND STRUCTURES
- Section 12.401. - General requirements.
- Section 12.402. - Outdoor lighting.
- Section 12.403. - Solid waste containers, compactors, recycling containers, solid waste and recycling handling areas, and service entrances.
- Section 12.404. - Active adult retirement community.
- Section 12.405. - Land clearing and inert debris landfill (LCID): on-site.
- Section 12.406. - Fences and walls in residential districts.
- Section 12.407. - Dwellings, accessory unit.
- Section 12.408. - Customary home occupations.
- Section 12.409. - Marinas.
- Section 12.410. - Private kennels.
- Section 12.411. - Private stables.
- Section 12.412. - Reserved.
- Section 12.413. - Drive-in and drive-through service lanes/windows.
- Section 12.414. - Automobile, truck and trailer rental.
- Section 12.415. - Helistops, limited.
- Section 12.416. - Satellite dish farm.
- Section 12.417. - Outdoor sales, accessory.
- Section 12.418. - Public flags on permanent flagpoles.
- Section 12.419. - Outdoor dining.
- PART 5: - SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN USES
- Section 12.501. - Purpose.
- Section 12.502. - Adult care homes, adult care centers, child care centers in a residence, family, child care homes, and large child care centers.
- Section 12.503. - Land clearing and inert debris landfill (LCID): off-site.
- Section 12.504. - Public utility structures.
- Section 12.505. - Quarries.
- Section 12.506. - Religious institutions in residential districts.
- Section 12.507. - Sanitary landfills.
- Section 12.508. - Cemeteries, public and private.
- Section 12.509. - Public utility transmission and distribution lines.
- Section 12.510. - Mobile food vending service.
- Section 12.511. - Indoor training and shooting facilities.
- Section 12.512. - Riding academies and boarding stables.
- Section 12.513. - Bus stop shelters.
- Section 12.514. - Equestrian oriented subdivisions.
- Section 12.515. - Special requirements for facilities located on or adjacent to the Catawba River and its impoundments (Lake Norman, Lake Wylie and Mountain Island Lake).
- Section 12.516. - Open space recreational uses.
- Section 12.517. - Group homes.
- Section 12.518. - Adult establishments.
- Section 12.519. - Outdoor seasonal sales.
- Section 12.520. - Boardinghouses.
- Section 12.521. - Bed and breakfasts (B & B's).
- Section 12.522. - Short-term care facility.
- Section 12.523. - Beneficial fill sites.
- Section 12.524. - Construction and demolition (C & D) landfill.
- Section 12.525. - Medical waste disposal facilities.
- Section 12.526. - Solid waste transfer stations.
- Section 12.527. - Single room occupancy (SRO) residences.
- Section 12.528. - Enclosure at foundation for structures.
- Section 12.529. - Sidewalk connections to public streets.
- Section 12.530. - Day labor service agencies.
- Section 12.531. - Commercial roominghouses.
- Section 12.532. - Homeless shelters.
- Section 12.532.1. - Donation drop-off facilities.
- Section 12.533. - Funeral homes, with accessory embalming in the institutional zoning district.
- Section 12.534. - Periodic retail sales events, off-premise.
- Section 12.535. - Periodic retail sales events, on-premise.
- Section 12.536. - Emergency shelters.
- Section 12.537. - Accessory shelters.
- Section 12.538. - Outdoor fresh produce stands or mobile produce market.
- Section 12.540. - Outdoor recreation.
- Section 12.541. - Pet services indoor/outdoor.
- Section 12.542. - Crematory facilities.
- Section 12.543. - Bicycle-sharing station.
- Section 12.544. - Breweries.
- Section 12.545. - Tattoo establishment.
- Section 12.546. - Eating, drinking, and entertainment establishments (Type 2 only).
- PART 6: - STORMWATER DRAINAGE[15]
- PART 7: - NUISANCES
- PART 8: - S.W.I.M. (SURFACE WATER IMPROVEMENT AND MANAGEMENT) STREAM BUFFERS
- PART 9: - OTHER APPLICABLE CITY CODE LAND DEVELOPMENT PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 13
- SIGNS
Sections
- Section 13.101. - Intent and purpose.
- Section 13.102. - Definitions.
- Section 13.103. - Procedures.
- Section 13.104. - General provisions.
- Section 13.105. - Prohibited signs.
- Section 13.106. - Signs not requiring a permit.
- Section 13.107. - Temporary signs and banners requiring permits.
- Section 13.108. - Specifications for permanent signs requiring a permit.
- Section 13.108a. - Specifications for permanent signs requiring a permit.
- Section 13.108b. - Information and advertising pillar signs.
- Section 13.109. - District regulations for permanent on-premises signs.
- Section 13.110. - Creation of special sign regulations.
- Section 13.111. - Regulations for outdoor advertising signs.
- Section 13.112. - Removal of certain signs.
- Section 13.113. - Enforcement.
- Section 13.114. - Variances and appeals.
CHAPTER 14
- SPECIAL USE PERMITS
Sections
- PART 3: - CANCELLATION BY SURRENDER AND TERMINATION, MODIFICATION AND RENOVATION OF SPECIAL USE PERMITS