Charlotte’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)

By Sam Smith Jr., CRC Member

What is the Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)? Charlotte’s UDO simplifies, consolidates, and updates the regulations that guide Charlotte’s development into a single document. It also lifts up the vision and policy portion of the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

Let’s take a moment to highlight what the UDO is intended to do and how it would impact you. According to Charlotteudo.org, the UDO combines regulations and standards from the following eight different development ordinances:

• City’s Zoning Ordinance
• Subdivision Ordinance
• Tree Ordinance
• Chapter 19 (Streets and Sidewalks)
• Floodplain Regulations
• Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control Regulations
• Post-Construction Stormwater Regulations
• Driveway/Access Standards

It is more important than ever that residents be engaged in this UDO process. These policies that are being written will impact the way the City of Charlotte conducts business. The UDO will allow the City of Charlotte to shape the future of development, tree canopy, zoning regulations and many more policy issues. It will provide a road map for more walkable neighborhoods, and more eat, work, and play corridors. It will also increase housing options and locations, increase equitable transit opportunities, and increase supply of housing diversity.

Here’s a look at the UDO project phases:

PHASE 1

October 7, 2021 – March 18, 2022:

The public draft was developed by the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County staff, with feedback from its Ordinance Advisory Committee and consultant support from Camiros, Ltd.

Comments on the first draft receive during Phase 1 along with staff responses can be viewed here.

PHASE 2

March 2022 – April 2022:

The UDO will be revised with consideration given to community feedback, and a second draft will be released in May 2022 with mark-up displaying changes.

PHASE 3

May 2022 – June 2022:

The second draft of the UDO will be subject to community comment at the public hearing before City Council and the Planning Commission. This will be the second opportunity for the community to review the UDO. The Planning Committee of the Planning Commission will recommend changes for a third draft.

PHASE 4

July 2022:

The third draft of the UDO will be developed based on the recommendation of the Planning Commission. This fourth draft is the version that will be considered and voted on by City Council.

It’s time to have your voice heard on the future of economic and social opportunities in our city.

Learn more about the Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) at https://charlotteudo.org/

The City of Charlotte has also released a helpful “Reference Guide”.