Guilford County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
Subsec. 8
Subdivisions and Infrastructure Standards
(File No. 21-02-GCPL-00830, 04/01/2021)
8.1 PURPOSE
A.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this section is to establish procedures and standards for the subdivision of land within the County. More specifically, this section is intended to:
- 1.Provide for the orderly growth and development of the County;
- 2.Maintain conditions essential to the public's health, safety, and general welfare;
- 3.Facilitate adequate provision of public services; and
- 4.Facilitate the further re-subdivision of larger tracts into smaller parcels of land.
B.
SUBDIVISION DEFINED
For the purpose of this part, “subdivision” means all divisions of a tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, building sites, or other divisions when any one or more of those divisions is created for the purpose of sale or building development (whether immediate or future) and shall include all divisions of land involving the dedication of a new street or a change in existing streets.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
8.2 EXEMPT SUBDIVISIONS
Exempt Subdivisions are those divisions of land exempt from regulations herein as detailed in G.S. § 160D-802 and G.S. § 29, Intestate Succession, as listed below:
- 1.The combination or recombination of portions of previously subdivided and recorded lots where the total number of lots is not increased and the resultant lots are equal to or exceed the standards of the local government as shown in its subdivision regulations.
- 2.The division of land into parcels greater than ten (10) acres where no street right-of-way dedication is involved.
- 3.The public acquisition by purchase of strips of land for the widening or opening of streets or for public transportation system corridors.
- 4.The division of a tract in single ownership whose entire area is no greater than two (2) acres into not more than three (3) lots, where no street right-of-way dedication is involved and where the resultant lots are equal to or exceed the standards of the local government, as shown in its subdivision regulations.
- 5.The division of a tract into parcels in accordance with the terms of a probated will or in accordance with intestate succession under Chapter 29, Intestate Succession, of the General Statutes.
(File No. 23-09-PLBD-00064, 11/06/2025)
Effective on: 11/6/2025
8.3 APPLICABILITY (5-13)
A.
TYPE OF SUBDIVISIONS
The standards in this section are the minimum standards applied to all Minor Subdivisions [five (5) lots or less] and Major Subdivisions [six (6) or more lots] in the unincorporated area of Guilford County.
The following are subdivision types regulated by this Ordinance (see Subsec. 3 - Permits & Procedures):
- 1.MINOR SUBDIVISION: Minor Subdivisions are all divisions of land into five (5) lots or less.
| Commentary: Previous division(s) of parent lots of record count towards classifying minor subdivisions. |
- 2.MAJOR SUBDIVISION: Major Subdivisions are all divisions of land into six (6) or more lots.
- 3.PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT: A planned unit development (PUD) is an area of land under unified ownership or control to be developed and improved as a whole under a Unified Development Plan in accordance with the requirements of this Ordinance. Any property meeting the minimum size requirements set forth in this Ordinance may be eligible as a planned unit development regardless of the methods utilized to supply potable water and sewage disposal (See Section 8.6 and Subsec. 4). Planned Unit Developments are comprised of the following zoning district designations:
- a.Planned Development-Residential (PD-R)
- b.Planned Development-Mixed (PD-M)
- c.Planned Development-Rural Preservation (RPD)
- 4.
- B.SUBDIVISION LOT AND DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS
- 1.Lot Configuration
Every lot shall have sufficient area, dimensions, and street access to permit a principal building to be erected thereon in compliance with all zoning and other requirements of this Ordinance.
- 2.Minimum Building Area
Every lot shall have at least forty percent (40%) of its total area, or three thousand (3,000) square feet, whichever is less, of contiguous buildable area of a shape sufficient to hold a principal building. Said area shall lie at or be filled to an elevation at least two (2) feet above the one hundred (100) year flood elevation.
- 3.
- 4.Side lot line configuration
Side lines of lots should be configured as closely as possible at or near right angles to street lines.
- 5.Lot Lines and Drainage
Lot boundaries shall coincide with natural or pre-existing man-made drainageways to the extent practicable to avoid altering drainageways in order to create a buildable lot.
- 6.Flag Lot
Flag Lots (See Flag Lot Figure below) approved by the Planning and Development Director shall meet the following requirements:
| FLAG LOT STANDARDS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Density | Maximum Flagpole Length | Minimum Flagpole Width | Maximum Lot Size In Area With Public Sewer | maximum lot size without public sewer1 |
| One (1) Single-Family Dwelling & One (1) Accessory Dwelling Unit2. Uninhabited accessory structure(s) also allowed per Subsec. 4 – Accessory, Uses, Buildings, and Structures. | 300 feet | 25 feet | 1 acre | 3 acres |
| ||||
| FLAG LOT STANDARDS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Density | Maximum Flagpole Length | Minimum Flagpole Width | Maximum Lot Size In Area With Public Sewer | maximum lot size without public sewer1 |
| One (1) Single-Family Dwelling & One (1) Accessory Dwelling Unit2. Uninhabited accessory structure(s) also allowed per Subsec. 4 – Accessory, Uses, Buildings, and Structures. | 300 feet | 25 feet | 1 acre | 3 acres |
| ||||
| FLAG LOT STANDARDS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Density | Maximum Flagpole Length | Minimum Flagpole Width | Maximum Lot Size In Area With Public Sewer | maximum lot size without public sewer1 |
| One (1) Single-Family Dwelling & One (1) Accessory Dwelling Unit2. Uninhabited accessory structure(s) also allowed per Subsec. 4 – Accessory, Uses, Buildings, and Structures. | 300 feet | 25 feet | 1 acre | 3 acres |
| ||||
| FLAG LOT STANDARDS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Density | Maximum Flagpole Length | Minimum Flagpole Width | Maximum Lot Size In Area With Public Sewer | maximum lot size without public sewer1 |
| One (1) Single-Family Dwelling & One (1) Accessory Dwelling Unit2. Uninhabited accessory structure(s) also allowed per Subsec. 4 – Accessory, Uses, Buildings, and Structures. | 300 feet | 25 feet | 1 acre | 3 acres |
| ||||
| Commentary: Flagpole portion of lot may not be used to calculate area, width, depth, coverage or setbacks of the lot or to provide off- street parking. |
- 1)Where public water is available, any building on the flag lot must be within five hundred (500) feet of a fire hydrant. This distance shall be measured along the street, then along the flagpole, then in a straight line to the building location;
- 2)Where public sewer is available, occupied buildings on the flag lot shall have a gravity service line, or the sewer pump requirement shall be noted on the plat;
- 3)Use of a single driveway to serve a flag lot and an adjoining lot is permitted and encouraged; the preferred location for the driveway is on the flagpole portion of the flag lot where an access easement over the flagpole is granted to the conventional lot.
- 7.Nonconforming Lots to be Combined
See Subsec. 11 – Nonconformities.
- C.GENERAL STANDARDS
The standards in this section are the minimum standards applied to all subdivisions of land in Guilford County.
- 1.Design
All proposed subdivisions shall coordinate with existing adjacent developments and with officially adopted plans for the future development of the County with adequate streets, utilities, and building sites.
- 2.Development Name
The name of a proposed development shall not duplicate or be phonetically similar to an existing development name in the County unless the proposed development lies adjacent to the existing development.
- 3.Installation of Required Public Improvements
Unless subject to a performance guarantee (see Section 8.9 - Performance Guarantees), all required public improvements shall be installed before the approval of a final plat (see Subsec. 3 – Permits and Procedures), in accordance with the standards in this Ordinance.
- 4.Off-Site Connections
When the Director of Planning and Development finds that it is necessary to connect streets or utilities off-site to adjoining streets and/or utilities, the connection will be required.
- 5.Reasonable Relationship
All required improvements, easements, and rights-of-way (other than required reservations) shall benefit the development or bear a reasonable connection to the need for public facilities attributable to the new development.
(File No. 21-08-GCPL-07440, 11/03/2021; File No. 23-09-PLBD-00064, 11/06/2025)
Effective on: 11/6/2025
8.4 MINOR SUBDIVISIONS
Minor subdivisions are all divisions of land that do not qualify as Exempt Subdivisions (per G.S. § 160D-802 and G.S. § 29) into no more than five (5) lots. See Subdivision (Minor) in Table 4-3-1 Permitted Uses Table.
Minor Subdivision Process Flow Chart (if no new improvements are being constructed)
Minor Subdivision Process Flow Chart (if new improvements are being constructed)
- A.STREET ACCESS STANDARDS
Access requirements for Minor Subdivisions are reviewed and approved administratively by the Planning Director based on the following:
- 1.Access for Minor Subdivisions. Access for Minor Subdivisions may be approved where lot(s) have access through direct frontage on a public or private street, or by an exclusive access easement meeting the following requirements:
| MINOR SUBDIVISION STREET/ACCESS STANDARDS FIVE (5) LOTS OR LESS 1 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street/Access Options | Minimum Right-of-Way or Easement Width 2 | Minimum Street Width | Length 3 | Street/Access Construction Standard | Street Maintenance Responsibility | Other Requirements |
| Public Street 7, | 50 ft. | 14 ft. One- Way 20 ft. Two- Way | Max. 800 ft. / 1600 ft. (WCA)5 | Must Meet or Exceed NCDOT Subdivision Streets Minimum Construction Standards | POA 6 | Certification of Street Construction to NCDOT Subdivision Streets Minimum Construction Standards |
| Private Street (new) 7 | 50 ft. | 14 ft. One- Way 20 ft. Two- Way | Max. 800 ft. / 1600 ft. (WCA)5 | 6” ABC Stone and Meet NCDOT Subdivision Streets Minimum Construction Standards EXCEPT No Paving Required 8 | POA 6 | Private Street Disclosure Certification Statement (G.S. § 136- 102.6) Must Have Direct Access to a Public Street |
| Exclusive Access Easement (Public & Private Streets; Exclusive Access Easement must be Recorded) 9 | 25 ft. | N/A | Allowable if
Minimum separation between centerline of easement of any other (125) ft. | N/A | Property Owner(s) | Only One (1) Lot a Minimum of Three (3) Acres in Size One (1) Single-Family Dwelling & One (1) Accessory Dwelling Unit110. Uninhabited accessory structure(s) also allowed per Subsec. 4 – Accessory, Uses, Buildings, and Structures. |
| ||||||
| MINOR SUBDIVISION STREET/ACCESS STANDARDS FIVE (5) LOTS OR LESS 1 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street/Access Options | Minimum Right-of-Way or Easement Width 2 | Minimum Street Width | Length 3 | Street/Access Construction Standard | Street Maintenance Responsibility | Other Requirements |
| Public Street 7, | 50 ft. | 14 ft. One- Way 20 ft. Two- Way | Max. 800 ft. / 1600 ft. (WCA)5 | Must Meet or Exceed NCDOT Subdivision Streets Minimum Construction Standards | POA 6 | Certification of Street Construction to NCDOT Subdivision Streets Minimum Construction Standards |
| Private Street (new) 7 | 50 ft. | 14 ft. One- Way 20 ft. Two- Way | Max. 800 ft. / 1600 ft. (WCA)5 | 6” ABC Stone and Meet NCDOT Subdivision Streets Minimum Construction Standards EXCEPT No Paving Required 8 | POA 6 | Private Street Disclosure Certification Statement (G.S. § 136- 102.6) Must Have Direct Access to a Public Street |
| Exclusive Access Easement (Public & Private Streets; Exclusive Access Easement must be Recorded) 9 | 25 ft. | N/A | Allowable if
Minimum separation between centerline of easement of any other (125) ft. | N/A | Property Owner(s) | Only One (1) Lot a Minimum of Three (3) Acres in Size One (1) Single-Family Dwelling & One (1) Accessory Dwelling Unit110. Uninhabited accessory structure(s) also allowed per Subsec. 4 – Accessory, Uses, Buildings, and Structures. |
| ||||||
| MINOR SUBDIVISION STREET/ACCESS STANDARDS FIVE (5) LOTS OR LESS 1 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street/Access Options | Minimum Right-of-Way or Easement Width 2 | Minimum Street Width | Length 3 | Street/Access Construction Standard | Street Maintenance Responsibility | Other Requirements |
| Public Street 7, | 50 ft. | 14 ft. One- Way 20 ft. Two- Way | Max. 800 ft. / 1600 ft. (WCA)5 | Must Meet or Exceed NCDOT Subdivision Streets Minimum Construction Standards | POA 6 | Certification of Street Construction to NCDOT Subdivision Streets Minimum Construction Standards |
| Private Street (new) 7 | 50 ft. | 14 ft. One- Way 20 ft. Two- Way | Max. 800 ft. / 1600 ft. (WCA)5 | 6” ABC Stone and Meet NCDOT Subdivision Streets Minimum Construction Standards EXCEPT No Paving Required 8 | POA 6 | Private Street Disclosure Certification Statement (G.S. § 136- 102.6) Must Have Direct Access to a Public Street |
| Exclusive Access Easement (Public & Private Streets; Exclusive Access Easement must be Recorded) 9 | 25 ft. | N/A | Allowable if
Minimum separation between centerline of easement of any other (125) ft. | N/A | Property Owner(s) | Only One (1) Lot a Minimum of Three (3) Acres in Size One (1) Single-Family Dwelling & One (1) Accessory Dwelling Unit110. Uninhabited accessory structure(s) also allowed per Subsec. 4 – Accessory, Uses, Buildings, and Structures. |
| ||||||
| MINOR SUBDIVISION STREET/ACCESS STANDARDS FIVE (5) LOTS OR LESS 1 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street/Access Options | Minimum Right-of-Way or Easement Width 2 | Minimum Street Width | Length 3 | Street/Access Construction Standard | Street Maintenance Responsibility | Other Requirements |
| Public Street 7, | 50 ft. | 14 ft. One- Way 20 ft. Two- Way | Max. 800 ft. / 1600 ft. (WCA)5 | Must Meet or Exceed NCDOT Subdivision Streets Minimum Construction Standards | POA 6 | Certification of Street Construction to NCDOT Subdivision Streets Minimum Construction Standards |
| Private Street (new) 7 | 50 ft. | 14 ft. One- Way 20 ft. Two- Way | Max. 800 ft. / 1600 ft. (WCA)5 | 6” ABC Stone and Meet NCDOT Subdivision Streets Minimum Construction Standards EXCEPT No Paving Required 8 | POA 6 | Private Street Disclosure Certification Statement (G.S. § 136- 102.6) Must Have Direct Access to a Public Street |
| Exclusive Access Easement (Public & Private Streets; Exclusive Access Easement must be Recorded) 9 | 25 ft. | N/A | Allowable if
Minimum separation between centerline of easement of any other (125) ft. | N/A | Property Owner(s) | Only One (1) Lot a Minimum of Three (3) Acres in Size One (1) Single-Family Dwelling & One (1) Accessory Dwelling Unit110. Uninhabited accessory structure(s) also allowed per Subsec. 4 – Accessory, Uses, Buildings, and Structures. |
| ||||||
| Commentary: For roads to be added to the N.C. Dept. of Transportation (NCDOT) system, individual(s) or property owners’ associations (POA) must submit a SR-1 form (petition) to NCDOT. The requirements for addition are listed on the petition. |
- 2.Utility Easement
Lots fronting on public streets with access to existing utilities are not required to have utility easements. All other lots shall show a twenty (20) foot utility easement to the front, side, or rear of each lot unless easement releases are obtained from all utility companies, in which case no utility easement will be required.
- 3.Reserve Strips
Reserve strips adjoining street rights-of-way for the purpose of preventing access to adjacent property shall not be permitted under any condition.
- 4.Public/Private Street Illustration:
- 5.Exclusive Access Easement Illustration:
(File No. 21-08-GCPL-07440, 11/04/2021; File No. 23-09-PLBD-00064, 11/06/2025)
Effective on: 11/6/2025
8
8.5 MAJOR SUBDIVISIONS
Major Subdivisions are all divisions of land into six (6) or more lots [See Subdivision (Major) in Table 4-3-1 Permitted Uses Table].
- A.STREET ACCESS AND SIDEWALK STANDARDS
(5-13.3 – 5-13.6)- 1.Lots on Thoroughfares
Major subdivisions shall not be approved that permit individual residential lots direct access to thoroughfares as designated on the adopted Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP).
- 2.Conformance with CTP and Collector Street Plans
The location and design of streets shall conform with the most recent CTP and collector street plan. Where conditions warrant, street right-of-way widths and pavement widths in excess of the minimum street standards may be required.
- 3.Conformance with Adjoining Street Systems
The planned street layout of a proposed subdivision shall be compatible with existing or proposed streets and their classifications on adjoining or nearby tracts.
- 4.Reserve Strips
Reserve strips adjoining street rights-of-way for the purpose of preventing access to adjacent property shall not be permitted under any condition.
- 5.Connection to Public Street Right-of-Way
All private streets or private access easements must be established and designed to have access via a public street right-of-way.
- 6.Sidewalks
- a.Except along controlled access roadways, sidewalks shall be required on all thoroughfares, collector, sub-collector and local residential streets (except cul-de-sacs) within one (1) mile of a park/recreation facility, school, shopping center, employment center or other major pedestrian generator. Where sidewalks are installed, they shall have a minimum width of five (5) feet and be constructed on one (1) side of the street right-of-way as determined by the Director of Planning and Development, after considering comments from the TRC.
- b.Alternative provisions for pedestrian sidewalk movement meeting the intent of this Section may be used where unreasonable or impractical situations would result from application of these requirements. Such situations may result from significant vegetation, impending street widening, topography, utility easements, lot configuration or other unusual site conditions. In such instances, the Planning & Development Director may approve an alternate plan that proposes different pedestrian routes provided such that the intent of this Section is fulfilled.
- B.STREET DESIGN STANDARDS
- 1.Conformance with Existing Plans
- a.The street layout shall conform to the arrangement, width, and location indicated on any applicable CTP and collector street plan. In areas where plans have not been completed, the streets shall be designed and located in proper relation to existing and proposed streets, topography, natural features (e.g., streams and tree growth), public convenience and safety, and to the proposed land use to be served by such streets; and
- b.In cases where a proposed subdivision fronts or extends an existing street that does not comply with the minimum standards of this Ordinance, the subdivider shall upgrade the portion of the existing street abutting the subdivision, in accordance with the standards of this Ordinance.
- 2.Street Classification (2-1.7)
- a.The final determination of the classification of streets in a proposed subdivision shall be made by the County. A typical street cross-section is illustrated below:
- b.Specific Street classification descriptions are listed below:
| Street Classification | Description |
|---|---|
| ALLEY | A roadway which affords only a secondary means of access to abutting property. |
| COLLECTOR STREET (3) | A street whose principal function is to carry traffic between cul-de-sac, local and other collector streets, and street of higher classification, but which may also provide direct access to abutting properties. |
| CUL-DE-SACS (6) | A short local street having one (1) end open to traffic and the other end permanently terminated by a vehicular turnaround. |
| LOCAL STREET (5) | A street whose primary function is to provide access to abutting properties. |
| MAJOR THOROUGHFARE (2) | Major thoroughfares consist of interstate, other freeway, expressway, or parkway links, and major streets that provide for the expeditious movement of high volumes of traffic within and through urban areas. |
| MINOR THOROUGHFARE (1) | Minor thoroughfares collect traffic from collector, sub-collector, and local street and carry it to the major thoroughfare system. Minor thoroughfares may be used to supplement the major thoroughfare system by facilitating movement of moderate volumes of traffic within and through urban areas and may also serve abutting property. |
| PRIVATE DRIVE (9) | A vehicular travelway not dedicated or offered for dedication as a public street, providing access to parking lot(s) for two (2) or more principal buildings in a group housing or group nonresidential development. |
| PRIVATE STREET (7) | A vehicular travelway not dedicated or offered for dedication as a public street, but resembling a cul-de-sac or a local street by carrying traffic from a series of driveways to the public street system. |
| Street Classification | Description |
|---|---|
| ALLEY | A roadway which affords only a secondary means of access to abutting property. |
| COLLECTOR STREET (3) | A street whose principal function is to carry traffic between cul-de-sac, local and other collector streets, and street of higher classification, but which may also provide direct access to abutting properties. |
| CUL-DE-SACS (6) | A short local street having one (1) end open to traffic and the other end permanently terminated by a vehicular turnaround. |
| LOCAL STREET (5) | A street whose primary function is to provide access to abutting properties. |
| MAJOR THOROUGHFARE (2) | Major thoroughfares consist of interstate, other freeway, expressway, or parkway links, and major streets that provide for the expeditious movement of high volumes of traffic within and through urban areas. |
| MINOR THOROUGHFARE (1) | Minor thoroughfares collect traffic from collector, sub-collector, and local street and carry it to the major thoroughfare system. Minor thoroughfares may be used to supplement the major thoroughfare system by facilitating movement of moderate volumes of traffic within and through urban areas and may also serve abutting property. |
| PRIVATE DRIVE (9) | A vehicular travelway not dedicated or offered for dedication as a public street, providing access to parking lot(s) for two (2) or more principal buildings in a group housing or group nonresidential development. |
| PRIVATE STREET (7) | A vehicular travelway not dedicated or offered for dedication as a public street, but resembling a cul-de-sac or a local street by carrying traffic from a series of driveways to the public street system. |
| Street Classification | Description |
|---|---|
| ALLEY | A roadway which affords only a secondary means of access to abutting property. |
| COLLECTOR STREET (3) | A street whose principal function is to carry traffic between cul-de-sac, local and other collector streets, and street of higher classification, but which may also provide direct access to abutting properties. |
| CUL-DE-SACS (6) | A short local street having one (1) end open to traffic and the other end permanently terminated by a vehicular turnaround. |
| LOCAL STREET (5) | A street whose primary function is to provide access to abutting properties. |
| MAJOR THOROUGHFARE (2) | Major thoroughfares consist of interstate, other freeway, expressway, or parkway links, and major streets that provide for the expeditious movement of high volumes of traffic within and through urban areas. |
| MINOR THOROUGHFARE (1) | Minor thoroughfares collect traffic from collector, sub-collector, and local street and carry it to the major thoroughfare system. Minor thoroughfares may be used to supplement the major thoroughfare system by facilitating movement of moderate volumes of traffic within and through urban areas and may also serve abutting property. |
| PRIVATE DRIVE (9) | A vehicular travelway not dedicated or offered for dedication as a public street, providing access to parking lot(s) for two (2) or more principal buildings in a group housing or group nonresidential development. |
| PRIVATE STREET (7) | A vehicular travelway not dedicated or offered for dedication as a public street, but resembling a cul-de-sac or a local street by carrying traffic from a series of driveways to the public street system. |
| Street Classification | Description |
|---|---|
| ALLEY | A roadway which affords only a secondary means of access to abutting property. |
| COLLECTOR STREET (3) | A street whose principal function is to carry traffic between cul-de-sac, local and other collector streets, and street of higher classification, but which may also provide direct access to abutting properties. |
| CUL-DE-SACS (6) | A short local street having one (1) end open to traffic and the other end permanently terminated by a vehicular turnaround. |
| LOCAL STREET (5) | A street whose primary function is to provide access to abutting properties. |
| MAJOR THOROUGHFARE (2) | Major thoroughfares consist of interstate, other freeway, expressway, or parkway links, and major streets that provide for the expeditious movement of high volumes of traffic within and through urban areas. |
| MINOR THOROUGHFARE (1) | Minor thoroughfares collect traffic from collector, sub-collector, and local street and carry it to the major thoroughfare system. Minor thoroughfares may be used to supplement the major thoroughfare system by facilitating movement of moderate volumes of traffic within and through urban areas and may also serve abutting property. |
| PRIVATE DRIVE (9) | A vehicular travelway not dedicated or offered for dedication as a public street, providing access to parking lot(s) for two (2) or more principal buildings in a group housing or group nonresidential development. |
| PRIVATE STREET (7) | A vehicular travelway not dedicated or offered for dedication as a public street, but resembling a cul-de-sac or a local street by carrying traffic from a series of driveways to the public street system. |
- c.Public Street Design Criteria (5-13.3)
The minimum street design standards for the street classifications listed in this Section are listed below. Street right-of-way dedication and paving of streets in and adjacent to the subdivision shall be in conformance with the street right-of-way and pavement width requirements listed below and shall be designed in accordance with the NC Building Code – Fire Prevention Code & Appendices and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Subdivision streets: Minimum Construction Standards, whichever is applicable.
MINIMUM PUBLIC STREET DESIGN STANDARDS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classification | Minimum Right- of-Way 1 | Minimum Pavement Width 1, 2, 3 | Stopping Sight Distance | Centerline Radius 3 |
| MAJOR THOROUGHFARE | 90 – 100’ | 64-68’ | 650’ | 1,530’ |
| MINOR THOROUGHFARE Five Lane Four Lane | 80’ 68’ | 60’ 48’ | 550 475’ | 1,240’ 955’ |
| COLLECTOR 6 | 60’ | 40’ | 400’ | 765’ |
| SUB-COLLECTOR 6 | 56’ | 36’ | 250’ | 440’ |
| LOCAL RESIDENTIAL | ||||
| *With Ribbon 4 | 50’ | 22’ | 200’ | 300’ |
| With Curb/Gutter | 50’ | 30’ | 200’ | 300’ |
| RESIDENTIAL CUL- DE-SAC | ||||
| *With Ribbon 4 | 50’ | 22’ | 200’ | 300’ |
| With Curb/Gutter | 50’ | 30’ 5 | 200’ | 300’ |
| LOCAL INDUSTRIAL | 60’ | 40’ | 325’ | 575’ |
| INDUSTRIAL CUL-DE-SAC | 60’ | 40’ | 325’ | 575’ |
| ||||
MINIMUM PUBLIC STREET DESIGN STANDARDS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classification | Minimum Right- of-Way 1 | Minimum Pavement Width 1, 2, 3 | Stopping Sight Distance | Centerline Radius 3 |
| MAJOR THOROUGHFARE | 90 – 100’ | 64-68’ | 650’ | 1,530’ |
| MINOR THOROUGHFARE Five Lane Four Lane | 80’ 68’ | 60’ 48’ | 550 475’ | 1,240’ 955’ |
| COLLECTOR 6 | 60’ | 40’ | 400’ | 765’ |
| SUB-COLLECTOR 6 | 56’ | 36’ | 250’ | 440’ |
| LOCAL RESIDENTIAL | ||||
| *With Ribbon 4 | 50’ | 22’ | 200’ | 300’ |
| With Curb/Gutter | 50’ | 30’ | 200’ | 300’ |
| RESIDENTIAL CUL- DE-SAC | ||||
| *With Ribbon 4 | 50’ | 22’ | 200’ | 300’ |
| With Curb/Gutter | 50’ | 30’ 5 | 200’ | 300’ |
| LOCAL INDUSTRIAL | 60’ | 40’ | 325’ | 575’ |
| INDUSTRIAL CUL-DE-SAC | 60’ | 40’ | 325’ | 575’ |
| ||||
MINIMUM PUBLIC STREET DESIGN STANDARDS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classification | Minimum Right- of-Way 1 | Minimum Pavement Width 1, 2, 3 | Stopping Sight Distance | Centerline Radius 3 |
| MAJOR THOROUGHFARE | 90 – 100’ | 64-68’ | 650’ | 1,530’ |
| MINOR THOROUGHFARE Five Lane Four Lane | 80’ 68’ | 60’ 48’ | 550 475’ | 1,240’ 955’ |
| COLLECTOR 6 | 60’ | 40’ | 400’ | 765’ |
| SUB-COLLECTOR 6 | 56’ | 36’ | 250’ | 440’ |
| LOCAL RESIDENTIAL | ||||
| *With Ribbon 4 | 50’ | 22’ | 200’ | 300’ |
| With Curb/Gutter | 50’ | 30’ | 200’ | 300’ |
| RESIDENTIAL CUL- DE-SAC | ||||
| *With Ribbon 4 | 50’ | 22’ | 200’ | 300’ |
| With Curb/Gutter | 50’ | 30’ 5 | 200’ | 300’ |
| LOCAL INDUSTRIAL | 60’ | 40’ | 325’ | 575’ |
| INDUSTRIAL CUL-DE-SAC | 60’ | 40’ | 325’ | 575’ |
| ||||
MINIMUM PUBLIC STREET DESIGN STANDARDS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classification | Minimum Right- of-Way 1 | Minimum Pavement Width 1, 2, 3 | Stopping Sight Distance | Centerline Radius 3 |
| MAJOR THOROUGHFARE | 90 – 100’ | 64-68’ | 650’ | 1,530’ |
| MINOR THOROUGHFARE Five Lane Four Lane | 80’ 68’ | 60’ 48’ | 550 475’ | 1,240’ 955’ |
| COLLECTOR 6 | 60’ | 40’ | 400’ | 765’ |
| SUB-COLLECTOR 6 | 56’ | 36’ | 250’ | 440’ |
| LOCAL RESIDENTIAL | ||||
| *With Ribbon 4 | 50’ | 22’ | 200’ | 300’ |
| With Curb/Gutter | 50’ | 30’ | 200’ | 300’ |
| RESIDENTIAL CUL- DE-SAC | ||||
| *With Ribbon 4 | 50’ | 22’ | 200’ | 300’ |
| With Curb/Gutter | 50’ | 30’ 5 | 200’ | 300’ |
| LOCAL INDUSTRIAL | 60’ | 40’ | 325’ | 575’ |
| INDUSTRIAL CUL-DE-SAC | 60’ | 40’ | 325’ | 575’ |
| ||||
- d.Private Street Design Criteria (5-13.3 – 5-13.4)
Private streets shall be permitted in developments with Property Owners’ Associations and group developments.
| PRIVATE STREET MINIMUM DESIGN STANDARDS1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Common Area of Obstructions | Minimum Pavement Width (face to face) | Stopping Sight Distance | Centerline Radius Minimum |
| 40’2 | 24’3 | 150’ | 215’ |
| |||
| PRIVATE STREET MINIMUM DESIGN STANDARDS1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Common Area of Obstructions | Minimum Pavement Width (face to face) | Stopping Sight Distance | Centerline Radius Minimum |
| 40’2 | 24’3 | 150’ | 215’ |
| |||
| PRIVATE STREET MINIMUM DESIGN STANDARDS1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Common Area of Obstructions | Minimum Pavement Width (face to face) | Stopping Sight Distance | Centerline Radius Minimum |
| 40’2 | 24’3 | 150’ | 215’ |
| |||
| PRIVATE STREET MINIMUM DESIGN STANDARDS1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Common Area of Obstructions | Minimum Pavement Width (face to face) | Stopping Sight Distance | Centerline Radius Minimum |
| 40’2 | 24’3 | 150’ | 215’ |
| |||
- 1)The pavement design for all private streets will be equivalent to the minimum design standards for local residential streets of the NCDOT unless the developer supplies an alternate pavement design supported by an engineering study. The developer must furnish an engineer's seal and certification that the private streets have been tested and certified for the subgrade, base and asphalt. Streets located in the WCA may be twenty-two (22) feet of asphalt construction with shoulders and a ditch section. Common area may need to be widened to retain the ditch section within the common area. All turnarounds must comply with D103.1 of NC Fire Prevention Code (See chart below).
- 2)A Property Owners’ Association is required to own and maintain all private streets allowed under this Ordinance. All private streets will be indicated as such on the final plat.
- 3)No through street in a residential area connecting two (2) public streets can be designated as a private street, unless approved by the Director of Planning and Development, after considering comments from the TRC.
- 4)All private streets connecting with public streets require an approved driveway permit from NCDOT. Where street returns are permitted, the developer shall construct a concrete band running parallel with the public street. The width of this band shall commence at the gutter line and extend to the street right-of-way of the public street.
- e.Access & Turnaround
All streets must provide sufficient access & turnaround provisions for public safety in compliance with the current adopted version of the North Carolina State Building Code – Fire Prevention Code Appendix D as illustrated below:
*For the purposes of this graphic, the terms street and road shall be synonymous.
- f.Existing Substandard Streets
An existing private street or unimproved platted street right-of-way shall be improved to NCDOT standards if the total number of lots to be served is more than five (5) (existing, created or combination thereof).
- g.Connectivity
- 1)Adjacent Property(ies)
- (a)Where it is determined by the Director of Planning and Development, after considering comments from the TRC that it is desirable to provide for street access to adjoining property(ies), proposed streets shall be extended, purposed, and where appropriate, constructed to the boundary of such property(ies).
- (b)It is the intention of this Section to promote the orderly development of a local street system that provides interconnection between developed or developing properties. These requirements may vary at the discretion of the Director of Planning and Development, after considering comments from the TRC, where compliance is determined not feasible because of topography, the existence of environmentally sensitive lands, the need to preserve cultural resources, and/or other similar considerations. In general, connections shall be required where one of the following conditions exist:
- i.Where the zoning and/or land use on the adjoining property(ies) are compatible with the proposed subdivision. For purposes of this Section, compatible land use shall mean any residential to residential land use or nonresidential to nonresidential land use.
- ii.Where there are no natural or man-made barriers that make the street extension impractical;
- iii.Where the street extension will result in desirable traffic flows and patterns and where inappropriate levels of through traffic are avoided; and/or
- iv.Where the street extension will promote public safety and the overall orderly development of the area. Where required to be built, all stub streets shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the appropriate standards per Subsection e above.
| Development Type | Fire Apparatus Access Streets1 | Fire Apparatus Access Exceptions1 | Sight Distance Triangle Easements2 | Minimum Street Offset3 | Grades at Intersections4 | Curb and Cutter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single or Two Family Dwelling Residential Developments less than 100 units | An automatic sprinkler system shall not be required in one-or two-family dwellings where there are fewer than 100 dwelling units on a single public or private fire apparatus access road with access from one direction.
Fire apparatus access roads must meet the standards in this Ordinance and minimum NCDOT’s standards shall be provided. Where future development is possible stub streets are encouraged to better accommodate for multiple points of access/egress allowing for future development and expansion. | 1. Where there are more than ninety-nine
(99) dwelling units (existing or created) on a single public or private fire apparatus access Street and all dwelling units are equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system, access from two directions shall not be required. 2. The number of dwelling units on a single fire apparatus access Street shall not be increased greater than 99 units unless at least two (2) separate and approved fire apparatus access streets are provided. | NCDOT standard of 10 feet x 70 feet in size along the intersecting rights-of-way, with the seventy
(70) foot dimension along the cross street. | One hundred and twenty-five (125)
feet. | Not exceed five
percent (5%) for a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet from the centerline of the intersection. | Required in developments where public water and/or sewer is provided. |
| Multiple-Family Residential Developments (more than 100 dwelling units) | Shall be equipped throughout with two (2) separate and approved fire apparatus access streets. | A single approved fire apparatus access Street may be provided when all buildings, including nonresidential occupancies, are equipped throughout with approved automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance with this ordinance. | NCDOT standard of ten (10) feet x seventy (70) feet in size along the intersecting rights-of-way, with the seventy (70) foot dimension along the cross street. | One hundred and twenty-five (125) feet | Not exceed five
percent (5%) for a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet from the centerline of the intersection. | Required in developments where public water and/or sewer is provided. |
| Multiple-Family Residential Developments (more than 200 dwelling units) | Shall provide three (3) separate and approved fire apparatus access streets regardless of whether they are equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system. | N/A | NCDOT standard of ten (10 ) feet x seventy (70) feet in size along the intersecting rights-of-way, with the seventy (70) foot dimension along the cross street. | One hundred and twenty-five (25) feet | Not exceed five
percent (5%) for a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet from the centerline of the intersection. | Required in developments where public water and/or sewer is provided. |
| ||||||
| Development Type | Fire Apparatus Access Streets1 | Fire Apparatus Access Exceptions1 | Sight Distance Triangle Easements2 | Minimum Street Offset3 | Grades at Intersections4 | Curb and Cutter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single or Two Family Dwelling Residential Developments less than 100 units | An automatic sprinkler system shall not be required in one-or two-family dwellings where there are fewer than 100 dwelling units on a single public or private fire apparatus access road with access from one direction.
Fire apparatus access roads must meet the standards in this Ordinance and minimum NCDOT’s standards shall be provided. Where future development is possible stub streets are encouraged to better accommodate for multiple points of access/egress allowing for future development and expansion. | 1. Where there are more than ninety-nine
(99) dwelling units (existing or created) on a single public or private fire apparatus access Street and all dwelling units are equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system, access from two directions shall not be required. 2. The number of dwelling units on a single fire apparatus access Street shall not be increased greater than 99 units unless at least two (2) separate and approved fire apparatus access streets are provided. | NCDOT standard of 10 feet x 70 feet in size along the intersecting rights-of-way, with the seventy
(70) foot dimension along the cross street. | One hundred and twenty-five (125)
feet. | Not exceed five
percent (5%) for a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet from the centerline of the intersection. | Required in developments where public water and/or sewer is provided. |
| Multiple-Family Residential Developments (more than 100 dwelling units) | Shall be equipped throughout with two (2) separate and approved fire apparatus access streets. | A single approved fire apparatus access Street may be provided when all buildings, including nonresidential occupancies, are equipped throughout with approved automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance with this ordinance. | NCDOT standard of ten (10) feet x seventy (70) feet in size along the intersecting rights-of-way, with the seventy (70) foot dimension along the cross street. | One hundred and twenty-five (125) feet | Not exceed five
percent (5%) for a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet from the centerline of the intersection. | Required in developments where public water and/or sewer is provided. |
| Multiple-Family Residential Developments (more than 200 dwelling units) | Shall provide three (3) separate and approved fire apparatus access streets regardless of whether they are equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system. | N/A | NCDOT standard of ten (10 ) feet x seventy (70) feet in size along the intersecting rights-of-way, with the seventy (70) foot dimension along the cross street. | One hundred and twenty-five (25) feet | Not exceed five
percent (5%) for a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet from the centerline of the intersection. | Required in developments where public water and/or sewer is provided. |
| ||||||
| Development Type | Fire Apparatus Access Streets1 | Fire Apparatus Access Exceptions1 | Sight Distance Triangle Easements2 | Minimum Street Offset3 | Grades at Intersections4 | Curb and Cutter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single or Two Family Dwelling Residential Developments less than 100 units | An automatic sprinkler system shall not be required in one-or two-family dwellings where there are fewer than 100 dwelling units on a single public or private fire apparatus access road with access from one direction.
Fire apparatus access roads must meet the standards in this Ordinance and minimum NCDOT’s standards shall be provided. Where future development is possible stub streets are encouraged to better accommodate for multiple points of access/egress allowing for future development and expansion. | 1. Where there are more than ninety-nine
(99) dwelling units (existing or created) on a single public or private fire apparatus access Street and all dwelling units are equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system, access from two directions shall not be required. 2. The number of dwelling units on a single fire apparatus access Street shall not be increased greater than 99 units unless at least two (2) separate and approved fire apparatus access streets are provided. | NCDOT standard of 10 feet x 70 feet in size along the intersecting rights-of-way, with the seventy
(70) foot dimension along the cross street. | One hundred and twenty-five (125)
feet. | Not exceed five
percent (5%) for a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet from the centerline of the intersection. | Required in developments where public water and/or sewer is provided. |
| Multiple-Family Residential Developments (more than 100 dwelling units) | Shall be equipped throughout with two (2) separate and approved fire apparatus access streets. | A single approved fire apparatus access Street may be provided when all buildings, including nonresidential occupancies, are equipped throughout with approved automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance with this ordinance. | NCDOT standard of ten (10) feet x seventy (70) feet in size along the intersecting rights-of-way, with the seventy (70) foot dimension along the cross street. | One hundred and twenty-five (125) feet | Not exceed five
percent (5%) for a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet from the centerline of the intersection. | Required in developments where public water and/or sewer is provided. |
| Multiple-Family Residential Developments (more than 200 dwelling units) | Shall provide three (3) separate and approved fire apparatus access streets regardless of whether they are equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system. | N/A | NCDOT standard of ten (10 ) feet x seventy (70) feet in size along the intersecting rights-of-way, with the seventy (70) foot dimension along the cross street. | One hundred and twenty-five (25) feet | Not exceed five
percent (5%) for a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet from the centerline of the intersection. | Required in developments where public water and/or sewer is provided. |
| ||||||
| Development Type | Fire Apparatus Access Streets1 | Fire Apparatus Access Exceptions1 | Sight Distance Triangle Easements2 | Minimum Street Offset3 | Grades at Intersections4 | Curb and Cutter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single or Two Family Dwelling Residential Developments less than 100 units | An automatic sprinkler system shall not be required in one-or two-family dwellings where there are fewer than 100 dwelling units on a single public or private fire apparatus access road with access from one direction.
Fire apparatus access roads must meet the standards in this Ordinance and minimum NCDOT’s standards shall be provided. Where future development is possible stub streets are encouraged to better accommodate for multiple points of access/egress allowing for future development and expansion. | 1. Where there are more than ninety-nine
(99) dwelling units (existing or created) on a single public or private fire apparatus access Street and all dwelling units are equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system, access from two directions shall not be required. 2. The number of dwelling units on a single fire apparatus access Street shall not be increased greater than 99 units unless at least two (2) separate and approved fire apparatus access streets are provided. | NCDOT standard of 10 feet x 70 feet in size along the intersecting rights-of-way, with the seventy
(70) foot dimension along the cross street. | One hundred and twenty-five (125)
feet. | Not exceed five
percent (5%) for a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet from the centerline of the intersection. | Required in developments where public water and/or sewer is provided. |
| Multiple-Family Residential Developments (more than 100 dwelling units) | Shall be equipped throughout with two (2) separate and approved fire apparatus access streets. | A single approved fire apparatus access Street may be provided when all buildings, including nonresidential occupancies, are equipped throughout with approved automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance with this ordinance. | NCDOT standard of ten (10) feet x seventy (70) feet in size along the intersecting rights-of-way, with the seventy (70) foot dimension along the cross street. | One hundred and twenty-five (125) feet | Not exceed five
percent (5%) for a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet from the centerline of the intersection. | Required in developments where public water and/or sewer is provided. |
| Multiple-Family Residential Developments (more than 200 dwelling units) | Shall provide three (3) separate and approved fire apparatus access streets regardless of whether they are equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system. | N/A | NCDOT standard of ten (10 ) feet x seventy (70) feet in size along the intersecting rights-of-way, with the seventy (70) foot dimension along the cross street. | One hundred and twenty-five (25) feet | Not exceed five
percent (5%) for a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet from the centerline of the intersection. | Required in developments where public water and/or sewer is provided. |
| ||||||
- h.Block Length
Blocks shall not exceed a perimeter length of six thousand (6,000) feet, except that a perimeter length of up to twelve thousand (12,000) feet may be approved in the Watershed Critical Area. Perimeter length is the shortest lineal measurement along the abutting street right-of-way lines.
- i.Street Naming & Street Signs
- 1)Street Names
Street names shall conform to the standards set forth in Appendix 1 (Street Name and Address Assignment Standards). Proposed street names shall be presented with preliminary plat.
- 2)Public Street Intersection
At each intersection of a public or private street, drive or lane, the developer shall pay a fee to the County for the installation of each required street name sign. The County shall erect the street name sign(s).
- 3)Private Street Intersections
The developer shall be required to erect and maintain reflective signs at all intersections between private streets, drives, or lanes or shall pay a fee to the County for the installation of each required street name sign. Signs for private streets not installed by the County shall be approved by the County as part of a Master or Common Sign Plan (see Section 7.12). Signs shall exhibit a reflective white background with green lettering.
- 4)Traffic Control Devices
- i.If NCDOT determines traffic control SIGNS and signals are necessary, they shall be erected and maintained by the subdivider at each street intersection within the subdivision.
- ii.Traffic control signs also shall be installed where subdivision streets intersect with an improved or State-maintained street.
- iii.Traffic control signs shall comply with NCDOT standards related to size, shape, color, location, and information contained thereon.
- iv.Traffic control signs shall be installed free of visual obstruction.
- v.Traffic calming devices (e.g., speed humps and bumps) shall be prohibited unless approved by the Fire Marshal.
- 5)Maintenance
Maintenance of signs on private streets, drives or lanes shall be the responsibility of the adjacent owners or Property Owners’ Association, as appropriate.
- j.Street Trees
Street trees shall be required in accordance with the following standards:
| Applicability | Location 1 | Timing | Configuration 2 | Maintenance Provision | Maximum On- Center Spacing 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All multi-family and non- residential developments within the City of Greensboro’s Growth Tier I, City of High Point’s Future Growth Area, or other adopted municipal growth strategies map. | Both sides of streets, a minimum of fifty
(50) feet of the street centerline. | Required street trees on individual building lots shall be installed prior to occupancy of the dwelling unit on such lot. | Street trees shall be canopy trees except beneath overhead utilities or other projections into the public street right-of-way, where understory trees shall be installed instead. | Street trees shall be maintained by the individual property owners or Property Owners’ Association. | Understory Trees: Twenty (20) – Thirty (30) feet on center.
Canopy Trees: Fifty (50) feet on center. |
| |||||
| Applicability | Location 1 | Timing | Configuration 2 | Maintenance Provision | Maximum On- Center Spacing 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All multi-family and non- residential developments within the City of Greensboro’s Growth Tier I, City of High Point’s Future Growth Area, or other adopted municipal growth strategies map. | Both sides of streets, a minimum of fifty
(50) feet of the street centerline. | Required street trees on individual building lots shall be installed prior to occupancy of the dwelling unit on such lot. | Street trees shall be canopy trees except beneath overhead utilities or other projections into the public street right-of-way, where understory trees shall be installed instead. | Street trees shall be maintained by the individual property owners or Property Owners’ Association. | Understory Trees: Twenty (20) – Thirty (30) feet on center.
Canopy Trees: Fifty (50) feet on center. |
| |||||
| Applicability | Location 1 | Timing | Configuration 2 | Maintenance Provision | Maximum On- Center Spacing 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All multi-family and non- residential developments within the City of Greensboro’s Growth Tier I, City of High Point’s Future Growth Area, or other adopted municipal growth strategies map. | Both sides of streets, a minimum of fifty
(50) feet of the street centerline. | Required street trees on individual building lots shall be installed prior to occupancy of the dwelling unit on such lot. | Street trees shall be canopy trees except beneath overhead utilities or other projections into the public street right-of-way, where understory trees shall be installed instead. | Street trees shall be maintained by the individual property owners or Property Owners’ Association. | Understory Trees: Twenty (20) – Thirty (30) feet on center.
Canopy Trees: Fifty (50) feet on center. |
| |||||
| Applicability | Location 1 | Timing | Configuration 2 | Maintenance Provision | Maximum On- Center Spacing 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All multi-family and non- residential developments within the City of Greensboro’s Growth Tier I, City of High Point’s Future Growth Area, or other adopted municipal growth strategies map. | Both sides of streets, a minimum of fifty
(50) feet of the street centerline. | Required street trees on individual building lots shall be installed prior to occupancy of the dwelling unit on such lot. | Street trees shall be canopy trees except beneath overhead utilities or other projections into the public street right-of-way, where understory trees shall be installed instead. | Street trees shall be maintained by the individual property owners or Property Owners’ Association. | Understory Trees: Twenty (20) – Thirty (30) feet on center.
Canopy Trees: Fifty (50) feet on center. |
| |||||
- C.UTILITY STANDARDS
- 1.Water and Sewer
- a.Water and sewer lines, connections, and equipment shall be constructed in accordance with State and local regulations.
- b.Where public sewer is not available, lots shall be evaluated in accordance with "Laws and Rules for Sanitary Sewage Collection, Treatment, and Disposal 11 NCGS 130A. Approval of the Environmental Health Division, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, or a Certified Soil Scientist shall be obtained after Preliminary Plan approval.
- 2.Other Utilities
- a.Electrical, television cable, and telephone utility lines installed within major subdivisions shall be underground unless the applicant, through consultation with the utility provider, demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Director of Planning and Development, after considering comments from the TRC, that underground installation is inappropriate.
- 3.Utility Easements (5-13.6)
- a.Major Subdivisions
To provide for electric, telephone, gas and community antenna television services conduits, and sewer or water lines within the subdivision appropriate utility easements not to exceed thirty (30) feet in width shall be provided. The location of such easements shall be reviewed and approved by the County, with advice from utility providers, before Final Plat approval.
- b.No Buildings or Improvements In Utility Easements
Utility easements shall be kept free and clear of any buildings or other improvements that would interfere with the proper maintenance or replacement of utilities. The County shall not be liable for damages to any improvement located within the utility easement area caused by maintenance or replacement of utilities located therein.
- 4.Stormwater Controls (5-8)
- a.See Subsec. 9 – Environmental Regulations for stormwater control requirements.
- b.Plat Recordation: The permanent stormwater control measures shall be substantially completed and have full design volume available prior to any plat recordation for the site. This may require the cleanout and disposal of sediment from the stormwater control facility.
- 5.Fire Hydrants
- a.All development serviced by a public water supply system shall include a system of fire hydrants sufficient to provide adequate fire protection for buildings to be located within the development. Fire hydrants shall be spaced a maximum of one thousand (1,000) linear feet apart and every portion of lot frontage is within five hundred (500) linear feet of a fire hydrant. The Fire Marshal may authorize or require a deviation from this standard if the Fire Marshal determines another arrangement more satisfactorily complies with the intent or standards in this Ordinance.
- b.Fire hydrants shall be placed no mor than three (3) feet or a at a distance as approved by the Fire Marshal behind the public curb.
- D.PUBLIC OPEN SPACE & SITES FOR PUBLIC USE
- 1.<Reserved>
- E.COMMON AREAS (PROPERTY OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION 5-9)
- 1.Designation of Common Areas
All private streets, open space, recreation areas, and similar uses not dedicated to the public shall be designated as common areas.
- 2.Conveyance of Property Owners’ Association
- a.Creation. A Property Owners’ Association shall be established to fulfill the requirement of the North Carolina Condominium Act or to accept conveyance and maintenance of all common areas and facilities within a development containing common areas.
- b.Conveyance. Where developments have common areas or facilities serving more than one (1) dwelling unit, these areas shall be conveyed to the Property Owners’ Association in which all owners of lots in the development shall be members. All private streets, open space, recreation areas, and similar uses not dedicated to the public shall be designated as common areas. The fee-simple title of the common area shall be conveyed by the subdivider or developer to the Property Owners’ Association.
- c.Subdivision or Conveyance of Common Area. Common areas shall not be subsequently subdivided or conveyed by the Property Owners’ Association, unless a revised Preliminary Plat and a revised Final Plat showing such subdivision or conveyance have been submitted and approved.
- d.Maintenance. Maintenance of common areas shall be the responsibility of the Property Owners’ Association. Interim maintenance of public streets also shall be the responsibility of the Property Owners’ Association until accepted by NCDOT.
| Commentary: For roads to be added to the N.C. Dept. of Transportation (NCDOT) system, individual(s) or property owners’ associations (POA) must submit a SR-1 form (petition) to NCDOT. The requirements for addition are listed on the petition. |
- 3.Submission of Property Owners’ Association Declaration
Prior to or concurrently with the submission of the Final Plat for review and approval, the subdivider shall submit a copy of the proposed Bylaws of the Property Owners’ Association containing covenants and restraints governing the Property Owners’ Association, plats, and common areas. The restrictions shall include (but not be limited to) provisions for the following:
- a.Existence Before Any Conveyance. The Property Owner's Association declaration shall be organized and in legal existence prior to the conveyance, lease-option, or other long- term transfer of control of any unit or lot in the development.
- b.Membership: Membership in the Property Owner's Association shall be mandatory for each original purchaser and each successive purchaser of a lot or unit. Provisions shall be made for the assimilation of owners in subsequent sections of the development.
- c.Property Owners’ Association Declaration: The Property Owners’ Association declaration shall contain the following items:
- 1)Responsibilities of Property Owners’ Association: The Property Owners’ Association declaration shall state that association is responsible for:
- i.The payment of premiums for liability insurance and local taxes;
- ii.Maintenance of recreational and/or other facilities located on the common areas; and
- iii.Payment of assessments for public and private improvements made to or for the benefit of the common areas.
- 2)Default of Property Owners’ Association: Upon default by the Property Owners’ Association in the payment to the County entitled thereto of any assessments for public improvements or ad valorem taxes levied against the common areas, which default shall continue for a period of six (6) months, each Owner of a lot in the development shall become personally obligated to pay to the County a portion of the taxes or assessments in an amount determined by dividing the total taxes and/or assessments due to the County by the total number of lots in the development. If the sum is not paid by the Owner within thirty (30) days following receipt of notice of the amount due; the sum shall become a continuing lien on the property of the Owner, his/her heirs, devisees, personal representatives and assigns. The taxing or assessing County may either bring an action at law against the Owner personally obligated to pay the same, or may elect to foreclose the lien against the property of the Owner.
- 3)Powers of the Property Owners’ Association: The Property Owners’ Association shall be empowered to levy assessments against the Owners of lots or units within the development. Such assessments shall be for the payment of expenditures made by the Property Owners’ Association for the items set forth in this Section, and any assessments not paid by the owner against whom such assessments are made shall constitute a lien on the lot of the Owner.
- 4)Easements: Easements over the common areas for access, ingress, and egress from and to public streets and walkways and easements for enjoyment of the common areas, and for parking, shall be granted to each lot Owner.
- 5)Maintenance and Restoration: Provisions for common area maintenance of and restoration in the event of destruction or damage shall be established.
- d.Nonresidential Condominiums: If a condominium is nonresidential, the declaration shall contain the following provision:
"Parking spaces shall be allocated among the individual lots or units in such a manner that each unit is entitled to a sufficient number of parking spaces to comply with this Ordinance for the use intended to be located therein. The Property Owners’ Association shall maintain a register listing the total number of parking spaces in the development and the number of parking spaces allocated to each lot or unit. A copy of this register shall be available to the Enforcement Officer at his/her request. The Property Owners’ Association shall not reduce the number of parking spaces allocated to an individual lot or unit without the express written consent of the owner thereof, and in no case shall the number of parking spaces allocated to an individual unit be reduced to a number below that required by this Ordinance."
(File No. 21-08-GCPL-07440, 11/04/2021; File No. 22-11-PLBD-00030, 02/23/2023; File No. 23-09-PLBD-00064, 11/06/2025)
Effective on: 11/6/2025
8.6 PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS (PD-R, PD-M & RPD)
Planned Unit Developments are permitted under the following zoning district designations (See Article for Planned Unit Development Design Requirements):
- Planned Development-Residential (PD-R)
- Planned Development-Mixed (PD-M)
- Planned Development-Rural Preservation (RPD)
Effective on: 1/1/1901
8.7 CLUSTER DEVELOPMENTS
The objective of the cluster option is to locate smaller lots than would normally be permitted by the zoning district in which the development is located, and to preserve land which would otherwise have been included in private lots into public dedication or common area.
- A.CLUSTER OPTION
Cluster development may be used in any district that permits single-family uses and where the development will be served by public sanitary sewer according to the following:
- 1.Minimum Tract Size
- a.Ten (10) acres or greater; or
- b.Less than ten (10) acres if street right-of-way in a street or highway corridor pursuant to G.S. § 136-66.10 is dedicated and the development will be served by public sanitary sewer.
- 2.Cluster development is allowed in Watershed Critical Area (WCA) and General Watershed Areas (GWA) of WS-III and WS-IV water supply watersheds. If the low-density option for any WCA and GWA area is chosen, the total number of lots shall not exceed the number of units allowed for single family detached developments under the low-density option as listed in Table 8.7.1 below.
- 3.The Fire Marshal must approve fire protection options where there is no public water.
- B.CLUSTER REQUIRED
The Director of Planning and Development, after considering comments from the TRC, may require that cluster development be used if street right-of-way dedication is required pursuant to G.S. § 136-66.10 or the development lies partially or wholly within a Watershed Critical Area (WCA).
- C.CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
- 1.When cluster development is implemented, all lot size and other dimensional requirements for single-family dwellings are decreased to comply with a more compact, smaller-lot RS zone.
- 2.The sum of those areas placed into common area as open space, those areas dedicated as public open space in excess of any required dedication for such purposes, and those areas dedicated as street right-of-way pursuant to G.S. § 136-66.10 shall not be less than fifteen percent (15%) of the total area of the development.
- 3.The maximum number of lots shall be determined as follows:
- a.Calculate the gross acreage of the tract, excluding any existing street right-of-way;
- b.Subtract three-fourths (¾) of the area of any drainageway and/or open space required to be dedicated by this Ordinance;
- c.Multiply by the density factor from the Table below:
| TABLE 8.7.1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Development Zoning | Lots and Buildings Must Meet Requirements of Zoning District Below | Density Factor per Acre |
| RS-40 (WCA Tier 2) | RS-40 | 0.20 |
| RS-40 (WCA Tier 3) | RS-40 | 0.33 |
| RS-40 (WCA Tier 4) | RS-40 | 1.0 |
| RS-40 | RS-20 | 1.0 |
| RS-30 | RS-3 | 1.3 |
| RS-20 | RS-3 | 1.9 |
| RS-3 | RS-5 | 3.0 |
| RS-5, RM-8 | RS-7 | 5.0 |
| RM-18, RM-26, MXU | RS-5 | 5.0 |
| TABLE 8.7.1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Development Zoning | Lots and Buildings Must Meet Requirements of Zoning District Below | Density Factor per Acre |
| RS-40 (WCA Tier 2) | RS-40 | 0.20 |
| RS-40 (WCA Tier 3) | RS-40 | 0.33 |
| RS-40 (WCA Tier 4) | RS-40 | 1.0 |
| RS-40 | RS-20 | 1.0 |
| RS-30 | RS-3 | 1.3 |
| RS-20 | RS-3 | 1.9 |
| RS-3 | RS-5 | 3.0 |
| RS-5, RM-8 | RS-7 | 5.0 |
| RM-18, RM-26, MXU | RS-5 | 5.0 |
| TABLE 8.7.1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Development Zoning | Lots and Buildings Must Meet Requirements of Zoning District Below | Density Factor per Acre |
| RS-40 (WCA Tier 2) | RS-40 | 0.20 |
| RS-40 (WCA Tier 3) | RS-40 | 0.33 |
| RS-40 (WCA Tier 4) | RS-40 | 1.0 |
| RS-40 | RS-20 | 1.0 |
| RS-30 | RS-3 | 1.3 |
| RS-20 | RS-3 | 1.9 |
| RS-3 | RS-5 | 3.0 |
| RS-5, RM-8 | RS-7 | 5.0 |
| RM-18, RM-26, MXU | RS-5 | 5.0 |
| TABLE 8.7.1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Development Zoning | Lots and Buildings Must Meet Requirements of Zoning District Below | Density Factor per Acre |
| RS-40 (WCA Tier 2) | RS-40 | 0.20 |
| RS-40 (WCA Tier 3) | RS-40 | 0.33 |
| RS-40 (WCA Tier 4) | RS-40 | 1.0 |
| RS-40 | RS-20 | 1.0 |
| RS-30 | RS-3 | 1.3 |
| RS-20 | RS-3 | 1.9 |
| RS-3 | RS-5 | 3.0 |
| RS-5, RM-8 | RS-7 | 5.0 |
| RM-18, RM-26, MXU | RS-5 | 5.0 |
- 4.Common areas shall be located within the development to:
- a.
- b.Provide common open area(s)/green space(s) in the development for aesthetic purposes and pedestrian use;
- c.Provide space for common recreation facilities and meeting places (for residents only);
- d.Provide buffering from adjacent land uses of higher intensity; and/or
- e.Minimize stormwater flow and runoff impacts to receiving waters in WCA and GWA areas.
- 5.Common area for open space shall be of dimensions usable for the purpose stated, including a minimum width of twenty-four (24) feet, and shall be accessible from public or private street rights-of-way or easements to all homeowners in the development.
- 6.If approved by the Director of Planning and Development, after considering comments from the TRC, a site may be reserved for a school, civic club, recreation center or library within the area that would otherwise have been common area.
- 7.When the cluster option is chosen for a development type, a statement shall be provided on the subdivision Final Plat indicating such option was used along with the associated individual development requirements.
(File No. 23-09-PLBD-00064, 11/06/2025)
Effective on: 11/6/2025
8.8 (NEW) ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS WITH PUBLIC SEWER
A.
ZERO SIDE SETBACK OPTION
Zero side setback development may be used in any district which permits single-family uses if the development contains ten (10) or more contiguous lots and is served by public sanitary sewer.
- 1.Development Standards:
- a.Setbacks of zero (0) feet are permitted only where the lots on both of the affected lot line are part of a zero (0) side setback development.
- b.A wall and roof maintenance easement (five [5] feet along one-story walls, ten [10] feet along two-story walls) shall be provided on the opposite side of the zero (0) setback lot line.
- c.Whenever one (1) side setback is zero, the minimum setback on the opposite side of the same lot shall be twice the minimum side setback required by this Ordinance for the zoning district in which the development is located.
- B.LOTS ADJOINING PUBLIC OR COMMON OPEN SPACE
Single family lots with public sewer service which abut dedicated public or common open space may be developed with less than the minimum lot size provided the following requirements are met:
- 1.No lot shall be less than sixty percent (60%) of the minimum lot area for the zoning district in which it is located, or five thousand (5,000) square feet, whichever is greater.
- 2.Rear setbacks may be reduced to fifteen (15) feet, if the rear property line abuts open space (should probably define) areas.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
8.9 PERFORMANCE GUARANTEES (MODIFIED 3-10)
A.
GENERAL
A performance guarantee shall be required in the following circumstances:
- 1.To ensure the completion of public infrastructure improvements that are required as part of an approved subdivision but are not approved by the Planning & Development Director or County Engineer as complete before approval of a final plat;
- 2.
- 3.To ensure completion of private site improvements that are required as part of a site plan (e.g., landscaping, parking, screening, etc.), but are not installed before occupancy, provided the Planning & Development Director determines that the property may be safely occupied and used regardless of the delayed installation of the improvements.
B.
TERMS OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEES
The term of a performance guarantee shall state any time limit to complete installation of required improvements that is included in approval of the final plat or associated permit, as appropriate, but in no case shall the term exceed two (2) years. The Planning & Development Director may, for good cause shown and with approval of the provider of the guarantee, grant up to one (1) extension of the term, for a time period not exceeding one (1) year accompanied by an updated Opinion of Probable Cost (OPC).
C.
FORM OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEES
The Owner or Developer shall furnish a performance guarantee in any of the following acceptable forms:
- 1.Letter of Credit
If the Developer provides a Letter of Credit, it must be accompanied by an Improvement Performance Guarantee Agreement (written in substantial form as the template shown in Appendix 3), be valid for at least one (1) year, and be payable to Guilford County at any time upon presentation of:
- a.A sight draft drawn on the issuing Bank;
- b.An affidavit executed by an authorized County official stating that the Developer is in default under this Agreement, and
- (1)An authorized official for purpose of this subsection shall include the County Manager, the Planning Director, or their designees. The Developer shall renew the Letter of Credit for successive one (1)-year terms until this Agreement is of no further effect.
- (2)The original Letter of Credit. The Letter of Credit must be issued by a financial institution approved by the County and located within Guilford County, North Carolina, and must be irrevocable.
- 2.Surety or Performance Bond
- a.If the Developer provides a performance bond, (written in substantial form as the template shown in Appendix 3) using the Development Bond Template, it must be valid for at least one (1) year and payable to the County upon default of this Agreement. The bonding company must be licensed to do business in North Carolina. The bond also must detail the procedure for drawing funds once the Developer is determined to be in default under this Agreement. The Developer shall renew the performance bond for successive one-year terms until this Agreement is of no further effect. If a performance bond is deemed to be perpetual in form the bonding company will be required to provide annual notice of the performance bond's continuance.
- b.An authorized County official for purpose of this subsection shall include the County Manager, the Planning & Development Director, or their designees.
- 3.Cash Deposit or Equivalent Security
- a.Cash deposits or equivalent security will be placed in a separate Guilford County account and designated for this purpose.
- b.An Improvement Performance Guarantee Agreement (written in substantial form as the template shown in Appendix 3) shall accompany a cash deposit or equivalent security.
- c.The performance guarantee and the Improvement Performance Guarantee Agreement (see template in Appendix 3) shall be conditioned on the performance of all work necessary to complete the installation of the required improvements within the term of the performance guarantee. Performance guarantees shall provide that in case of the Owner’s or Developer’s failure to complete the guaranteed improvements, the County shall be able to immediately obtain the funds necessary to complete installation of the improvements.
- d.An authorized official for purpose of this subsection shall include the County Manager, the Planning & Development Director, or their designees.
- 4.Improvements to be Completed
Upon recordation of seventy-five percent (75%) of the total lots approved within a subdivision, the Developer shall be required to complete all remaining public improvements (i.e., infrastructures, landscaping, and buffering) prior to consideration of extension of both the Performance Guarantee and Agreement, if applicable. Exceptions may be provided on a case-by-case basis as approved by the Planning Director.
D.
AMOUNT OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE
- 1.Performance guarantees for required improvements shall equal one hundred and twenty- five percent (125%) of the estimated full cost of completing the installation of the required improvements, including the costs of materials, labor, and project management.
- 2.An Opinion of Probable Cost for completing installation of required public infrastructure improvements shall be itemized by improvement type and certified by the Owner’s or Developer’s registered engineer and are subject to approval by the Planning & Development Director. Estimated costs for completing installation of required landscaping or other private site improvements (non- infrastructure improvements) shall be itemized and certified by the Owner’s or Developer’s contractor and are subject to approval by the Planning & Development Director.
E.
REDUCTION AND RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE
- 1.The Planning & Development Director shall authorize the release of all or a portion of any performance guarantee posted as the improvements are completed. Such completion shall be certified as completed by a North Carolina Registered Professional Engineer or the owner’s or developer’s contractor for non-infrastructure improvements. The County may reduce the total financial security by the ratio that the completed improvements compared to the total estimated cost of improvements required, provided that no more than one such reduction may be permitted prior to releasing the performance guarantee.
- 2.The County will release the security when all required Completion Certification Forms have been provided and any required maintenance guarantee and corresponding documents have been provided.
F.
EXTENSION OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE
- 1.If the Opinion of Probable Cost or contractor’s estimate, as appropriate, is updated and the guarantee is renewed, the amount of the performance guarantee and agreement shall be updated to reflect cost increases and duration of the extension.
G.
DEFAULT OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE
- 1.All developments whose improvements are not completed and accepted fourteen (14) days prior to the expiration of the performance guarantee shall be considered to be in default. Said guarantee may be extended with the consent of the County, if such extension takes place prior to default.
- 2.If the Owner or Developer fails to complete the installation of the guaranteed improvements within the term of the performance guarantee, the Planning & Development Director or his/her designee shall give the Owner or Developer a minimum sixty (60) days written notice of the default by certified mail.
- 3.After the notice period expires, the County may draw on the guarantee and use the funds to perform work necessary to complete installation of the guaranteed improvements. After completing such work, the County shall provide a complete accounting of the expenditures to the Owner or Developer and, as applicable, refund all unused funds, without interest.
- 4.In no case shall a performance guarantee be extended without written approval from the County.
H.
OVERSIZED IMPROVEMENTS
The County may require installation of certain oversized utilities or the extension of infrastructure to adjacent property when it is in the interest of future development. If the County requires the installation of oversized improvements, the County shall reimburse the Developer for the oversizing based on the rates set by the County.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
8.10 RESERVED
Effective on: 1/1/1901