Community Activity Center 2 (CAC-2) Zoning District: Charlotte Allowed and Prohibited Uses
The Community Activity Center 2 (CAC-2) Zoning District in Charlotte is designed for moderate-intensity, well-connected mixed-use environments that transition between transit centers and residential neighborhoods. This district prohibits lower-intensity residential forms like detached single-family homes while requiring a minimum building height of 24 feet and allowing for maximum heights of up to 200 feet with development bonuses. The City of Charlotte mandates high-quality design standards for the CAC-2 District to support a walkable and bikeable development form that serves the daily needs of nearby residents.
Purpose of the CAC-2 District
The City of Charlotte established the CAC-2 Zoning District to accommodate a moderate-intensity mix of retail, restaurant, entertainment, office, and residential uses. These areas are intended to be comfortable pedestrian environments that are easily accessible from surrounding neighborhoods via multiple modes of transportation [Section 11.1.B].
Allowed Residential Uses
In the City of Charlotte, the CAC-2 District focuses on higher-density residential options. Detached single-family homes and manufactured homes are notably excluded.
- Permitted by Right (X): Continuum Care Retirement Community (CCRC), Dormitory, Live-Work Dwelling, Multi-Family Stacked Dwelling, Residential Care Facility [Table 15-1].
- Permitted with Prescribed Conditions (PC): Duplex Dwelling, Multi-Family Attached Dwelling, Quadraplex Dwelling, Triplex Dwelling, Group Home, Multi-Dwelling Development, Single Room Occupancy (SRO) [Table 15-1].
Allowed Commercial and Industrial Uses
The CAC-2 District allows a variety of commercial activities that support the vibrancy of the activity center while prohibiting heavy industrial and auto-centric uses like car washes or vehicle fueling stations.
- Permitted by Right (X): Art Gallery, Arts or Fitness Studio, Broadcasting Facility (No Antennae), Commercial Fitness Center, Convention Center, Financial Institution, 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, Specialty Food Service, Vehicle Dealership (Enclosed) [Table 15-1].
- Permitted with Prescribed Conditions (PC): Amusement Facility (Indoor), Animal Care Facility, Commercial Kitchen, Drive-Through Establishment, Live Performance Venue (Indoor), Micro-Production of Alcohol, Nightclub, Reception Facility, Restaurant/Bar, Beneficial Fill Site, Industrial Craft, Movie Studio [Table 15-1].
- Requiring Conditional Zoning (C): Stadium [Table 15-1].
Allowed Institutional and Governmental Uses
- Permitted by Right (X): Community Center, Cultural Facility, Educational Facility (Pre-School, Primary, Secondary, University, Vocational), Government Office/Facility, Place of Worship, Public Safety Facility [Table 15-1].
- Permitted with Prescribed Conditions (PC): Adult Care Center, Childcare Center, Childcare Center (Large), Alternative Correction Facility, Drug Treatment Clinic, Homeless Shelter [Table 15-1].
Prohibited Uses
Per the City of Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance, any use not explicitly listed in the Use Matrix is prohibited within the CAC-2 District [Section 15.1.C.3]. Notable prohibited uses include:
- Residential: Single-Family Dwellings, Manufactured Homes, Manufactured Home Parks.
- Commercial: Adult Electronic Gaming Establishments, Adult Use, Amusement Facility (Outdoor), Auction Sales, Bed and Breakfasts, Car Washes, Heavy Retail or Rental Establishments, Kennels, Raceways, and Self-Storage Facilities.
- Industrial: Agriculture Industrial Processes, Airports, Airstrips, Landfills (LCID or Sanitary), Quarries, Rail Yards, Truck Terminals, and Waste Management Facilities.
- Transportation: Truck Stops and Vehicle Operations Facilities.
Development Standards for CAC-2
The City of Charlotte requires specific siting and height standards for the Community Activity Center 2 District to ensure an urban form.
Building Siting and Height Standards
| Standard | Requirement in CAC-2 |
|---|---|
| Minimum Building Height | 24 feet [Table 11-2] |
| Maximum Building Height | 120 feet [Table 11-2] |
| Max Height with Bonus | 200 feet [Table 11-2] |
| Minimum Side Setback | 0 feet (10 feet if abutting N1 Place Type) [Table 11-1] |
| Minimum Rear Setback | 0 feet (20 feet if abutting N1 Place Type) [Table 11-1] |
Frontage Setbacks (Measured from future back of curb)
| Frontage Type | Required Setback |
|---|---|
| Uptown Signature | 24 feet |
| Main Street | 24 feet |
| Linear Park | 36 feet |
| 4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 20 feet |
| 6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 24 feet |
| 2-3 Lane Avenue | 20 feet |
| Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | 5 feet |
| Parkway (Measured from ROW) | 20 feet |
| Limited Access (Measured from ROW) | 10 feet |
[Table 11-1]
Off-Street Parking Requirements
The CAC-2 District utilizes a "Tier 3" parking system in Charlotte. This system generally removes minimum parking requirements for most uses to encourage transit use, though maximum limits still apply.
| Use Category | Tier 3 Minimum | Tier 3 Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Residential (General) | None | 2 per dwelling unit |
| Office | None | 1 per 300sf GFA |
| Retail Goods Establishment | None | 1 per 250sf GFA |
| Restaurant/Bar | None | 1/250sf GFA + 50% of outdoor seating |
[Table 19-1]
Sections Cited
- Section 11.1: Purpose
- Section 11.2: Uses
- Table 11-1: Community Activity Center Zoning Districts Building Siting Standards
- Table 11-2: Community Activity Center Zoning Districts Building Height Standards
- Section 15.1: General Use Regulations
- Table 15-1: Use Matrix
- Section 19.2: Vehicle Parking Space Requirements
- Table 19-1: Vehicle Parking Requirements