Guide to the ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District in Charlotte
The ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District in the City of Charlotte is designated for light industrial, warehouse, and distribution operations with a maximum building height of 80 feet. This district prohibits residential development and requires a minimum lot width of 50 feet while prioritizing locations with access to major arterials, interstates, and freight rail lines. The City of Charlotte establishes significant screening and buffering requirements within this district to protect and separate industrial functions from more sensitive surrounding areas.
Purpose and General Character
The primary purpose of the ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District is to provide suitable areas for a broad range of warehouse, distribution, and light industrial activities, including assembly and light manufacturing [Section 8.1.A]. In the City of Charlotte, the general character of this district is defined by its industrial functionality and its high level of accessibility to the regional transportation network. While the district is primarily auto-oriented and industrial in nature, the City of Charlotte allows for limited supporting commercial uses—such as restaurants, retail, and personal services—to accommodate the needs of employees working within the district [Section 8.1.A].
Permitted Land Uses
The City of Charlotte regulates land use within the ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District through a global use matrix. The district is characterized by a complete absence of residential dwellings, focusing instead on industrial and civic infrastructure.
Industrial and Infrastructure Uses
The ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District is the City of Charlotte’s primary zone for the following by-right (X) or prescribed condition (PC) uses:
- Industrial Craft: Permitted by-right [Table 15-1].
- Light Assembly: Permitted by-right [Table 15-1].
- Warehouse and Distribution Center: Permitted by-right [Table 15-1].
- Research and Development (R&D): Permitted by-right [Table 15-1].
- Airstrip: Allowed with prescribed conditions [Table 15-1].
- Beneficial Fill Site: Allowed with prescribed conditions [Table 15-1].
Commercial and Supporting Uses
To support the workforce, the City of Charlotte permits select commercial activities in the ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District:
- Arts or Fitness Studio: Permitted by-right [Table 15-1].
- Retail Goods Establishment: Permitted by-right [Table 15-1].
- Specialty Food Service: Permitted by-right [Table 15-1].
- Office: Allowed with prescribed conditions [Table 15-1].
- Restaurant/Bar: Allowed with prescribed conditions [Table 15-1].
- Vehicle Repair (Major and Minor): Allowed with prescribed conditions [Table 15-1].
Institutional Uses
- Community Center: Permitted by-right [Table 15-1].
- Place of Worship: Permitted by-right [Table 15-1].
- Public Safety or Public Works Facility: Permitted by-right [Table 15-1].
Dimensional and Development Standards
The City of Charlotte enforces specific dimensional requirements to ensure the ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District maintains an orderly industrial form.
Lot and Siting Standards
Development in the ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District must adhere to the following siting requirements:
| Standard Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Width | 50 feet [Table 8-1] |
| Minimum Side Setback | 0 feet [Table 8-2] |
| Minimum Rear Setback | 10 feet (not required if adjacent to freight rail) [Table 8-2] |
| Maximum Building Height | 80 feet [Table 8-3] |
Frontage Setbacks
In the City of Charlotte, the front setback for the ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District is measured from the future back of curb and varies by the type of street frontage:
| Frontage Type | Minimum Setback Line (feet) |
|---|---|
| 4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 36 feet [Table 8-2] |
| 6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 40 feet [Table 8-2] |
| 2-3 Lane Avenue | 36 feet [Table 8-2] |
| Transit Station, Public Path, or Public Park | 20 feet [Table 8-2] |
| Main Street or Local Street | 36 feet [Table 8-2] |
| Parkway or Limited Access (from Right-of-Way) | 20 feet [Table 8-2] |
Building Design and Materials
The City of Charlotte requires that at least one ground floor entrance of any building in the ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District include a pedestrian connection to adjacent pedestrian facilities [Table 8-4]. Additionally, certain building materials are restricted to no more than 50% of each facade along a frontage to prevent the proliferation of low-quality industrial aesthetics [Section 8.4.F.2]. Restricted materials include vinyl, plastic, T-111 composite plywood, and unpainted or non-decorative corrugated metal siding [Section 8.4.F.2].
Off-Street Parking Requirements
The ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District is classified under the "Tier 1" parking system by the City of Charlotte, which requires a minimum number of spaces but imposes no maximum limit [Section 19.2.A.1.a].
| Use Category | City of Charlotte Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Industrial Uses | 1 space per 1,000sf GFA (up to 40,000sf), then 1 per 2,500sf for additional GFA [Table 19-1] |
| Commercial Uses | 1 space per 750sf GFA [Table 19-1] |
| Office Uses | 1 space per 750sf GFA [Table 19-1] |
Sections Cited
- Section 8.1: Purpose
- Section 8.2: Uses
- Section 8.3: Dimensional and Design Standards
- Section 8.4: Building Materials
- Section 15.2: Global Use Matrix
- Section 19.2: Vehicle Parking Space Tier System
- Table 8-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning Districts Lot Standards
- Table 8-2: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning Districts Building Siting Standards
- Table 8-3: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning Districts Building Height Standards
- Table 8-4: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning Districts Building Design Standards
- Table 15-1: Use Matrix
- Table 19-1: Vehicle Parking Requirements