Guide to the IC-1 Institutional Campus Zoning District in the City of Charlotte
The IC-1: Institutional Campus Zoning District is designed for large-scale institutional developments in the City of Charlotte, requiring a minimum district size of 10 acres to accommodate expansive uses like medical, educational, or religious campuses. Development in this district is restricted to a base maximum building height of 50 feet, which can be increased to 80 feet through specific development bonuses, and is governed by Tier 1 parking standards that mandate minimum space requirements without imposing maximum limits. The general character of the IC-1: Institutional Campus Zoning District emphasizes an open development form with low- to mid-rise structures and significant green space integrated into a cohesive pedestrian network.
Purpose and General Character
The IC-1: Institutional Campus Zoning District is intended to address the unique needs and impacts associated with large-scale institutional campuses within the City of Charlotte. These include governmental, educational, medical, social service, and religious campuses, as well as continuum of care residential developments [Section 7.1.A].
The general character of the IC-1: Institutional Campus Zoning District is defined by an open development form. Unlike more dense urban districts, the IC-1: Institutional Campus Zoning District prioritizes:
- Predominantly low- to mid-rise structures.
- Ample green space and landscaping.
- A prioritised cohesive pedestrian network that allows for safe movement within the campus environment [Section 7.1.A].
Permitted Land Uses
The IC-1: Institutional Campus Zoning District allows for a variety of uses that support the primary institutional mission of the site, as well as supportive services for employees and visitors.
Residential Uses
- Permitted by Right (X): Group Home.
- Permitted with Prescribed Conditions (PC): Continuum Care Retirement Community (CCRC), Dwelling – Duplex, Dwelling – Quadraplex, Dwelling – Single-Family, Dwelling – Triplex, Multi-Dwelling Development, and Single Room Occupancy (SRO) [Table 15-1].
Commercial and Office Uses
- Permitted by Right (X): Art Gallery, Arts or Fitness Studio, Financial Institution, Hotel/Motel, Industrial Design, Medical/Dental Office, Office, and Personal Service Establishment.
- Permitted with Prescribed Conditions (PC): Broadcasting Facility (with or without antennae), Convention Center, Research and Development (R&D), Restaurant/Bar, Retail Goods Establishment, and Specialty Food Service [Table 15-1].
Institutional and Governmental Uses
- Permitted by Right (X): Childcare Center (Large and standard), Community Center, Cultural Facility, Educational Facility (Pre-School, Primary, Secondary, University, or Vocational), Government Office/Facility, Place of Worship, and Public Safety Facility.
- Permitted with Prescribed Conditions (PC): Adult Care Center, Drug Treatment Clinic, Food Pantry, Healthcare Institution, Homeless Shelter, Social Service Facility, and Public Works Facility [Table 15-1].
Industrial and Other Uses
- Permitted by Right (X): Light Assembly.
- Permitted with Prescribed Conditions (PC): Beneficial Fill Site, Parking Lot (Principal Use), and Parking Structure (Principal Use).
- Conditional Zoning Required (C/PC): Movie Studio [Table 15-1].
Dimensional and Siting Standards
The IC-1: Institutional Campus Zoning District employs specific standards to maintain its campus-like atmosphere and ensure compatibility with surrounding City of Charlotte neighborhoods.
Lot and Coverage Standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum District Size | 10 acres |
| Minimum Lot Width | 50 feet |
| Maximum Building Coverage | 60% |
Note: Structured parking up to 10% of the lot area does not count toward maximum building coverage in the IC-1: Institutional Campus Zoning District [Table 7-1].
Building Siting (Setbacks)
| Frontage Type | Frontage Setback Line (from future back of curb) |
|---|---|
| Uptown Signature / Main Street | 24 feet |
| Linear Park / Other – Primary | 36 feet |
| 4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard / 2-3 Lane Avenue | 36 feet |
| 6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 40 feet |
| Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | 20 feet |
| Secondary | 36 feet |
| Parkway (Measured from ROW) | 20 feet |
| Limited Access (Measured from ROW) | 20 feet |
| Setback Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Side Setback (Not abutting Neighborhood 1) | 10 feet |
| Minimum Side Setback (Abutting Neighborhood 1) | 10 feet |
| Minimum Rear Setback (Not abutting Neighborhood 1) | 20 feet |
| Minimum Rear Setback (Abutting Neighborhood 1) | 20 feet |
[Table 7-2]
Building Height Standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Building Height (Residential) | 50 feet |
| Maximum Building Height (Nonresidential/Mixed-Use) | 50 feet |
| Maximum Height with Bonus (Section 16.3) | 80 feet |
Note: Height transitions apply when the IC-1: Institutional Campus Zoning District is adjacent to a Neighborhood 1 Place Type. Portions of a structure within the first 100 feet are limited to 50 feet in height [Table 7-3].
General Development Zoning Standards
The City of Charlotte requires specific configurations for different development types within the IC-1: Institutional Campus Zoning District.
Pedestrian and Parking Requirements
- Parking Tier: The IC-1: Institutional Campus Zoning District follows Tier 1 parking standards, which establish minimum parking ratios but do not set maximum limits [Table 19-1].
- Landscape Yard Requirement: For multi-family attached residential developments in the IC-1: Institutional Campus Zoning District, a minimum 25-foot Class B landscape yard is required if it abuts and runs parallel to an arterial street [Section 7.3.A.1.a].
- Building Articulation: Maximum spacing for required prominent entrances for nonresidential and mixed-use buildings is 250 feet [Table 7-4].
- Transparency: For nonresidential and mixed-use buildings, a minimum of 25% ground floor transparency is required for residential components and 50% for nonresidential components [Table 7-5].
Sections Cited
- Article 7: Campus Zoning Districts
- Section 7.1: Purpose
- Section 7.3: Dimensional and Design Standards
- Section 14.2: HDO Historic District Overlay
- Section 14.3: HDO-S Streetside Historic District Overlay
- Section 15.4: Principal Uses: Prescribed Conditions
- Section 16.3: Development Bonus
- Section 19.7: Design of Parking Structures
- Section 20.8: Parking Structure Landscape Area
- Section 37.2: Zoning Map Amendments
- Section 37.4: Administrative Adjustments
- Section 37.8: Variances and Appeals
- Section 37.10: Alternative Compliance