Charlotte N1-F Neighborhood 1 Zoning District: Allowed and Prohibited Uses
The N1-F Neighborhood 1 Zoning District in the City of Charlotte is primarily intended for application along arterial streets to allow for a variety of residential forms, including small-scale multi-family dwellings. The district permits a range of housing types from single-family homes to multi-family stacked units, provided they meet a minimum residential lot area of 3,000 square feet and a maximum building height of 48 feet. [Section 4.1 and Table 4-3]
Allowed Residential Uses in the N1-F District
In the City of Charlotte, the N1-F district allows for the highest density and most diverse building forms within the Neighborhood 1 classification. Uses are categorized as permitted by-right (X) or permitted subject to prescribed conditions (PC).
| Residential Use Type | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| Single-Family Dwelling | Permitted By-Right (X) |
| Live/Work Dwelling | Permitted By-Right (X) |
| Duplex Dwelling | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Triplex Dwelling | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Quadraplex Dwelling | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Multi-Family Attached Unit | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Multi-Family Stacked Unit | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Multi-Dwelling Development | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Group Home | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Residential Care Facility | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Single Room Occupancy (SRO) | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
Note on Multi-Family in N1-F: Multi-family attached dwelling developments in the N1-F district are limited to two principal structures per lot [Section 15.4.FF.6]. Multi-family stacked developments are limited to one principal structure per lot [Section 15.4.FF.1.2].
Allowed Commercial and Institutional Uses
Commercial uses in the N1-F district are generally limited to small-scale neighborhood services or those integrated into residential structures.
| Use Type | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| Neighborhood Commercial Establishment | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Childcare Center (and Large) | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Community Center | Permitted By-Right (X) |
| Place of Worship | Permitted By-Right (X) |
| Educational Facility (Pre-School) | Permitted By-Right (X) |
| Educational Facility (Primary, Secondary, Vocational, University) | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Public Park | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Adult Care Center | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Bed and Breakfast | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
Neighborhood Commercial Establishments: These are permitted within the N1-F district under specific conditions, such as being located within an existing nonresidential structure or, if new, being located on a corner lot with a maximum size of 9,000 square feet [Section 15.4.III].
Prohibited Uses in the N1-F District
According to the City of Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance, any use not explicitly listed as permitted in the Use Matrix is prohibited [Section 15.1.C.3]. Significant prohibited uses in the N1-F district include:
- Adult Uses: Adult bookstores, live entertainment, and motion picture theatres are strictly prohibited [Table 15-1].
- Heavy Industrial: All heavy manufacturing, industrial processes, and salvage yards.
- Commercial Sales: General retail (unless part of a Neighborhood Commercial Establishment), vehicle dealerships, auction sales, and car washes.
- Heavy Transportation: Truck stops, truck terminals, and rail freight terminals.
- Noxious Uses: Crematoriums, landfills (except beneficial fill sites under PC), and shooting ranges.
N1-F Technical Development Standards
The City of Charlotte mandates the following dimensional and siting requirements for the N1-F district:
| Standard | Residential Requirement | Nonresidential/Mixed-Use |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 3,000 sq ft | 12,000 sq ft |
| Minimum Lot Width | 30 ft (50 ft for Multi-Family) | 70 ft |
| Max Building Coverage | 50% (for lots < 10,000 sq ft) | 50% (for lots < 10,000 sq ft) |
| Front Setback | 17 ft | 17 ft |
| Side Setback | 5 ft | 5 ft |
| Rear Setback | 20 ft | 20 ft |
| Max Building Height | 48 ft | 48 ft |
[Tables 4-1, 4-2, and 4-3]
N1-F Vehicle Parking Requirements
The N1-F district follows the "Tier 1" parking standards, which establish minimum requirements but do not impose maximum limits. [Section 19.2.A.1.a]
| Use | Minimum Parking Required |
|---|---|
| Single-Family Dwelling | 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Duplex, Triplex, Quadraplex | 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Multi-Family (Attached/Stacked) | 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Senior Living (Multi-Family) | 0.25 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Neighborhood Commercial | 1 space per 750 sq ft of GFA |
[Table 19-1]
Sections Cited
- Article 4: Neighborhood 1 Zoning Districts (4.1, 4.3, Table 4-1, Table 4-2, Table 4-3)
- Article 15: Use Regulations (15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, Table 15-1)
- Article 19: Off-Street Vehicle & Bicycle Parking (19.2, Table 19-1)