IMU: Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District in Charlotte
The Innovation Mixed-Use (IMU) Zoning District in the City of Charlotte is designed to facilitate a transition from industrial orientations to a vibrant mix of light industrial, artisan, commercial, and moderate-density residential uses. Within the City of Charlotte, the IMU Zoning District permits building heights up to 80 feet, with a potential bonus height of 120 feet, while strictly prohibiting high-impact uses like heavy retail, nightclubs, and outdoor vehicle storage. All development within the IMU: Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District must adhere to specific "Prescribed Conditions" (PC) for many use types to maintain the walkable, urban character of the municipality.
Purpose of the Innovation Mixed-Use (IMU) District
The IMU: Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District is intended to accommodate areas in the City of Charlotte that are transitioning from exclusively industrial uses to a broader, more walkable mix of light industrial, artisan industrial, commercial, and moderate-density residential uses [Section 9.1]. To encourage this transition, the Innovation Mixed-Use (IMU) District standards allow for the adaptive reuse of existing structures alongside new development that supports a pedestrian-oriented environment [Section 9.1].
Allowed Uses within the IMU District
Uses in the City of Charlotte are categorized as permitted by-right (X), permitted subject to prescribed conditions (PC), or requiring conditional zoning (C or C/PC). A blank cell in the UDO use matrix indicates that a specific use is prohibited within the Innovation Mixed-Use (IMU) Zoning District [Section 15.2.B].
Residential Uses
The Innovation Mixed-Use (IMU) District allows for several residential options, primarily focusing on multi-family and integrated residential-work environments.
| Use Type | Permission Status |
|---|---|
| Dormitory | Permitted (X) |
| Dwelling – Duplex | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Dwelling – Live/Work | Permitted (X) |
| Dwelling – Multi-Family Attached | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Dwelling – Multi-Family Stacked | Permitted (X) |
| Dwelling – Quadraplex | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Dwelling – Triplex | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Group Home | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Multi-Dwelling Development | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Residential Care Facility | Permitted (X) |
| Single Room Occupancy (SRO) | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
Commercial and Office Uses
The City of Charlotte permits a wide range of commercial and professional services within the IMU: Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District, emphasizing uses that do not require heavy outdoor storage or generate excessive noise.
| Use Type | Permission Status |
|---|---|
| Art Gallery | Permitted (X) |
| Arts or Fitness Studio | Permitted (X) |
| Financial Institution | Permitted (X) |
| Hotel/Motel | Permitted (X) |
| Medical/Dental Office | Permitted (X) |
| Office | Permitted (X) |
| Restaurant/Bar | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Retail Goods Establishment | Permitted (X) |
| Specialty Food Service | Permitted (X) |
| Research and Development (R&D) | Permitted (X) |
| Micro-Production of Alcohol | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Vehicle Dealership: Enclosed | Permitted (X) |
| Vehicle Fueling Facility | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
Industrial and Production Uses
Consistent with its "Innovation" focus, the IMU District in Charlotte allows for lighter industrial and creative production activities.
| Use Type | Permission Status |
|---|---|
| Industrial, Craft | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Industrial, Light | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Movie Studio | Conditional / Prescribed Conditions (C/PC) |
| Beneficial Fill Site | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
| Agriculture – Industrial Processes | Prescribed Conditions (PC) |
Prohibited Uses in the IMU District
Any use not explicitly listed as permitted (X), subject to conditions (PC), or conditional (C) in the Use Matrix for the IMU column is prohibited within the City of Charlotte [Section 15.1.C]. Examples of prohibited uses in the Innovation Mixed-Use (IMU) Zoning District include:
- Adult Uses: Adult bookstores, adult live entertainment, and adult motion picture theaters [Table 15-1].
- High-Impact Commercial: Nightclubs, car washes, and outdoor vehicle dealerships [Table 15-1].
- Heavy Industrial: General industrial, quarries, rail yards, and salvage or junk yards [Table 15-1].
- Outdoor Storage: Outdoor storage yards (unless meeting specific PC for light industrial) and outdoor self-storage facilities [Table 15-1].
- Large Scale Entertainment: Stadiums and raceways/dragstrips [Table 15-1].
- Residential: Single-family detached dwellings (except on certain smaller existing lots) and manufactured homes [Table 15-1].
Technical Standards for the IMU District
Development in the Innovation Mixed-Use (IMU) Zoning District must follow strict dimensional requirements to ensure the district maintains its intended urban form.
Building Siting and Setbacks
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Frontage Setback (Main Street) | 24 feet from future back of curb |
| Frontage Setback (Linear Park) | 36 feet from future back of curb |
| Frontage Setback (Avenue/Primary/Secondary) | 16 - 20 feet from future back of curb |
| Frontage Build-To Zone (BTZ) | 0 - 20 feet from setback line |
| Minimum BTZ Build-To Percentage | 80% (varies for Secondary frontages at 60%) |
| Minimum Side Setback | 0 feet (10 feet if abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type) |
| Minimum Rear Setback | 0 feet (20 feet if abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type) |
Building Height
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Building Height | 24 feet (exemptions for small sites < 0.5 acres) |
| Maximum Building Height | 80 feet |
| Maximum Height with Bonus | 120 feet (requires compliance with Section 16.3) |
Off-Street Parking Ratios (Tier 2)
The IMU: Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District in the City of Charlotte operates under "Tier 2" parking standards, which include both minimums and maximums [Section 19.2.A.1].
| Use Category | Minimum Requirement | Maximum Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Residential (General) | 1 space per dwelling unit | 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Office | 1 space per 1,000 square feet GFA | 1 space per 250 square feet GFA |
| Retail Goods | 1 space per 1,000 square feet GFA | 1 space per 250 square feet GFA |
| Restaurant/Bar | 1 space per 1,000 square feet GFA | 1 space per 250 square feet GFA |
Sections Cited
- Article 9. Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District: IMU
- Section 9.1 Purpose
- Section 9.2 Uses
- Section 9.3 Dimensional and Design Standards
- Article 15. Use Regulations
- Section 15.1 General Use Regulations
- Section 15.2 Global Use Matrix
- Table 15-1: Use Matrix
- Article 19. Off-Street Vehicle & Bicycle Parking
- Section 19.2 Vehicle Parking Space Requirements
- Table 19-1: Vehicle Parking Requirements