CR: Regional Commercial Zoning District Setback Requirements in Charlotte
In the City of Charlotte’s CR: Regional Commercial Zoning District, front setbacks are determined by the specific type of street frontage and range from a minimum of 16 feet to 40 feet. The district maintains a standard minimum side setback of 10 feet and a minimum rear setback of 20 feet for all developments. These dimensions are primarily measured from the future back of curb or the property line depending on the nature of the adjacent roadway or public space [Section 6.3 and Table 6-2].
CR: Regional Commercial Zoning District Siting Standards
The City of Charlotte uses a frontage-based system to determine setbacks for the CR: Regional Commercial Zoning District. This ensures that the placement of buildings is appropriate for the scale and function of the adjacent transportation network and public realm [Section 6.3].
Front Setback Requirements
The front setback for the CR: Regional Commercial Zoning District depends on the classification of the street or public space the property faces.
| Frontage Type | CR District Minimum Setback (from future back of curb) |
|---|---|
| Uptown Signature | 24 feet |
| Main Street | 24 feet |
| Linear Park | 36 feet |
| 4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 36 feet |
| 6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 40 feet |
| 2-3 Lane Avenue | 36 feet |
| Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | 20 feet |
| Uptown Primary | 20 feet |
| Other - Primary | 36 feet |
| Uptown Secondary | 16 feet |
| Secondary | 36 feet |
| Parkway (Measured from ROW) | 20 feet |
| Limited Access (Measured from ROW) | 20 feet |
[Table 6-2]
Side and Rear Setback Requirements
Regardless of the frontage type, the City of Charlotte mandates consistent side and rear setbacks for the CR: Regional Commercial Zoning District to provide adequate separation between properties [Section 6.3].
| Setback Type | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Side Setback | 10 feet |
| Minimum Rear Setback | 20 feet |
[Table 6-2]
Key Siting and Measurement Regulations
The City of Charlotte applies several specific rules to the measurement and application of these setbacks within the CR: Regional Commercial Zoning District:
Measurement Points
- Back of Curb: On local and collector streets, setbacks are measured from the existing back of curb or the curb location for the Office/Commercial Narrow Local Street Cross Section in the Charlotte Land Development Standards Manual (CLDSM), whichever is farthest from the centerline [Table 6-2, Note 1].
- Public Spaces: For frontages along transit stations, off-street public paths, or public parks, the setback is measured from the property line or right-of-way line. If a reservation for a future frontage exists, the measurement begins at the edge of that reservation area [Table 6-2, Note 4].
Setback Flexibilities and Restrictions
- Parking Placement: If a developer in the CR: Regional Commercial Zoning District chooses not to locate parking or vehicle maneuvering areas between the building and the street frontage, the required frontage setback line may be reduced. In such cases, the setback can be matched to the less-stringent standards required for the CAC-1 (Community Activity Center 1) Zoning District [Table 6-2, Note 3].
- Building Entry Proximity: In no instance may a building entry be located closer than six feet to an existing or proposed off-street public path or shared-use path [Table 6-2, Note 2].
- Underground Structures: All uses are permitted to have underground parking structures in the City of Charlotte. While these may encroach into a required setback, they must be located no closer than five feet from the right-of-way line [Section 19.8].
Sections Cited
- Section 6.1, Purpose
- Section 6.3, Dimensional and Design Standards
- Table 6-2, Commercial Zoning Districts Building Siting Standards
- Section 19.8, Design of Underground Parking Structures