Allowed and Prohibited Uses in the CG: General Commercial Zoning District
The CG: General Commercial Zoning District in the City of Charlotte is primarily intended to accommodate general commercial development at key intersections and along arterial streets, emphasizing automobile access while encouraging pedestrian improvements [Section 6.1.A]. Residential development is highly restricted, generally permitted only on parcels existing legally prior to June 1, 2023, or as part of specific mixed-use center developments [Section 15.4.HH.2]. Most heavy industrial activities, warehouse distribution, and major vehicle repair services are prohibited within the City of Charlotte's CG: General Commercial Zoning District to ensure compatibility with neighboring uses and maintain the commercial character of the area [Table 15-1].
Development Standards for the CG: General Commercial Zoning District
All development within the CG: General Commercial Zoning District must adhere to specific dimensional and parking requirements to align with the City of Charlotte’s urban design goals.
| Standard | CG: General Commercial Zoning District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Width | 50 feet [Table 6-1] |
| Frontage Setback Line (Main Street) | 24 feet from future back of curb [Table 6-2] |
| Minimum Side Setback | 10 feet [Table 6-2] |
| Minimum Rear Setback | 20 feet [Table 6-2] |
| Maximum Building Height | 50 feet [Table 6-3] |
| Maximum Height with Bonus | 65 feet [Table 6-3] |
| Parking Tier | Tier 2 (Includes both minimum and maximum limits) [Section 19.2.A] |
| Min. Parking (Commercial) | Generally 1 space per 1,000sf Gross Floor Area [Table 19-1] |
| Max. Parking (Commercial) | Generally 1 space per 250sf Gross Floor Area [Table 19-1] |
Allowed Uses in the CG District
The City of Charlotte classifies uses in the CG: General Commercial Zoning District as either permitted by-right (X), permitted with prescribed conditions (PC), or requiring conditional zoning (C).
Permitted By-Right (X)
The following uses are allowed in the CG: General Commercial Zoning District without additional special conditions:
- Commercial: Art Gallery, Arts or Fitness Studio, Financial Institution, Greenhouse/Nursery (Retail), Hotel/Motel, Industrial Design, Lodge/Meeting Hall, Medical/Dental Office, Office, Outdoor Market, Personal Service Establishment, Research and Development (R&D), Retail Goods Establishment, Retail Goods Showroom, and Specialty Food Service [Table 15-1].
- Institutional/Governmental: Community Center, Cultural Facility, Educational Facilities (Pre-School, Primary/Secondary, University/College, and Vocational), Government Office/Facility, Place of Worship, and Public Safety Facility [Table 15-1].
- Other: Food Pantry, Healthcare Institution, Social Service Facility, Industrial Craft, Solar Farm, Parking Lot or Structure (as principal uses), and Vehicle Operations Facility [Table 15-1].
Permitted with Prescribed Conditions (PC)
These uses are allowed in the City of Charlotte's CG: General Commercial Zoning District provided they meet the specific standards outlined in Article 15:
- Retail/Service Nuances: Adult Electronic Gaming Establishments, Adult Uses, Amusement Facilities (Indoor and Outdoor), Animal Care Facilities, Animal Shelters, Car Washes, Commercial Kitchens, Drive-Through Establishments, and Nightclubs [Table 15-1].
- Vehicle Services: Vehicle Dealership (Enclosed), Vehicle Dealership (Outdoor — limited to less than 2 acres), Vehicle Fueling Facility, Vehicle Rental (Enclosed), and Vehicle Repair Facility (Minor) [Table 15-1, Section 15.4.EEEE.1].
- Residential (Restricted): Single-Family, Duplex, and Quadraplex dwellings are permitted only if the individual parcel existed legally prior to June 1, 2023 [Section 15.4.HH.2, 15.4.EE.4, 15.4.GG.6]. Multi-family attached and stacked dwellings are permitted when the site is located in specific Place Types like Neighborhood Centers [Section 15.4.FF.5].
- Infrastructure: Wireless Telecommunications and Utilities (Transmission/Distribution) [Table 15-1].
Conditional Uses (C)
Certain large-impact uses require a site-specific conditional zoning process:
- Stadiums [Table 15-1].
- Movie Studios (C/PC) [Table 15-1].
Prohibited Uses in the CG District
The following uses are not permitted within the CG: General Commercial Zoning District in the City of Charlotte:
- Heavy Industry/Storage: Agriculture — Industrial Processes, Airstrip, Airport, Crematorium, General Industrial, Light Industrial (except craft), Landfill (LCID), Outdoor Storage Yard, and Salvage and/or Junk Yard [Table 15-1].
- Wholesale & Logistics: Greenhouse/Nursery (Wholesale), Truck Terminal, Rail Freight Terminal, Warehouse and Distribution Center, and Waste Management Facility [Table 15-1].
- Specialized Residential: Continuum Care Retirement Communities (CCRC), Dormitories, Residential Care Facilities, and Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing [Table 15-1].
- Heavy Vehicle Services: Truck Stop and Major Vehicle Repair Facilities [Table 15-1].
- Recreation/Agriculture: Boarding Stables, Campgrounds, Community Gardens, and Private Recreation Clubs [Table 15-1].
Key Prescribed Conditions for CG Uses
- Nightclubs: Must be separated from any Neighborhood 1 Place Type by at least 200 feet [Section 15.4.JJJ.2].
- Drive-Throughs: All components (signs, lanes, windows) must be located to the rear or side of the building [Section 15.4.CC.5].
- Outdoor Vehicle Dealerships: If established after June 1, 2023, the lot must be less than two acres [Section 15.4.EEEE.1].
- Car Washes: A Class C landscape yard is required along side and rear lot lines [Section 15.4.Q.1].
Sections Cited
- Article 6. Commercial Zoning Districts: CG, CR
- Section 6.1.A
- Table 6-1: Commercial Zoning Districts Lot Standards
- Table 6-2: Commercial Zoning Districts Building Siting Standards
- Table 6-3: Commercial Zoning Districts Building Height Standards
- Article 15. Use Regulations
- Table 15-1: Use Matrix
- Section 15.4.D (Adult Use)
- Section 15.4.Q (Car Wash)
- Section 15.4.CC (Drive-Through Establishment)
- Section 15.4.EE (Dwelling – Duplex)
- Section 15.4.FF (Dwelling – Multi-Family Attached)
- Section 15.4.GG (Dwelling – Quadraplex)
- Section 15.4.HH (Dwelling – Single-Family)
- Section 15.4.JJJ (Nightclub)
- Section 15.4.EEEE (Vehicle Dealership: Outdoor)
- Article 19. Off-Street Vehicle & Bicycle Parking
- Table 19-1: Vehicle Parking Requirements