IMU: Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District in the City of Charlotte
The IMU: Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District in the City of Charlotte is designed to transition former industrial areas into vibrant, walkable hubs containing a blend of light industrial, artisan, commercial, and residential uses. Development in the City of Charlotte's IMU District typically allows for a maximum building height of 80 feet, which may be increased to 120 feet via a development bonus, and requires a minimum of 10% of the site area to be dedicated as on-site open space [Section 9.1, Table 9-2, Section 9.4].
Purpose and General Character
The IMU: Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District is primarily intended to accommodate areas in the City of Charlotte that are transitioning from an exclusively industrial orientation toward a broader, more integrated mix of uses. The general character of the IMU District is defined by a walkable environment that supports artisan industrial activities, moderate-density residential living, and various commercial services [Section 9.1].
A central tenet of the City of Charlotte’s IMU District is the encouragement of adaptive reuse for existing structures, allowing the historical industrial fabric to be repurposed for modern business and residential needs. To foster this pedestrian-oriented character, the IMU District standards emphasize ground-floor activation, prominent building entrances, and significant transparency requirements for building facades [Section 9.1, Section 9.6].
Permitted Land Uses
The IMU: Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District permits a wide array of residential, commercial, and industrial uses. According to the City of Charlotte Global Use Matrix, common permissions include:
- Residential Uses: Multi-family attached and stacked dwellings, live-work units, and multi-dwelling developments [Table 15-1].
- Commercial Uses: Art galleries, offices, medical/dental offices, personal service establishments, restaurants/bars, and retail goods establishments [Table 15-1].
- Industrial/Employment Uses: Light assembly, industrial craft, and research and development (R&D) facilities [Table 15-1].
- Institutional Uses: Community centers, cultural facilities, and places of worship [Table 15-1].
Many of these uses are subject to "Prescribed Conditions" (PC) to ensure they remain compatible with the mixed-use, walkable nature of the IMU District [Section 15.4].
Dimensional and Design Standards
Development within the City of Charlotte's IMU District must adhere to specific siting and height regulations that vary based on the type of street frontage.
Building Siting Standards
The following table outlines the requirements for building placement and setbacks within the IMU District.
| Standard | Frontage Type | IMU District Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Frontage Setback Line (from future back of curb) | Uptown Signature / 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 / Other - Primary | 20 feet | |
| Transit Station / Public Park | 5 feet | |
| Frontage Build-To Zone (BTZ) | All Applicable Frontages | 0 - 20 feet |
| Min. BTZ Build-To % | Most Frontages | 80% |
| Secondary Frontage | 60% | |
| Min. Side Setback | Abutting Neighborhood 1 | 10 feet |
| All other instances | 0 feet | |
| Min. Rear Setback | Abutting Neighborhood 1 | 20 feet |
| All other instances | 0 feet |
[Table 9-1]
Building Height Standards
Height in the IMU District is regulated to maintain a moderate-to-high density profile while providing transitions to less intensive neighborhoods.
| Standard | IMU District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Building Height | 24 feet* |
| Maximum Building Height | 80 feet |
| Maximum Height with Bonus (Section 16.3) | 120 feet |
*Exemptions apply to lots of one-half acre or less or buildings under 2,000 square feet [Table 9-2].
Building Articulation and Transparency
To ensure high-quality urban design and a safe pedestrian experience, the City of Charlotte requires specific architectural features for buildings in the IMU District.
| Articulation Feature | IMU District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Max. Building Length along a Frontage | 500 feet |
| Max. Blank Wall Area (Horizontal or Vertical) | 40 feet |
| Min. Ground Floor Height (Nonresidential/Mixed-Use) | 16 feet |
| Max. Spacing for Required Prominent Entrances | 250 feet |
| Min. Ground Floor Transparency (Nonresidential) | 60% of wall area |
| Min. Ground Floor Transparency (Residential) | 25% of wall area |
| Min. Upper Floor Transparency (All Uses) | 15% per story |
[Table 9-3, Table 9-4]
Open Space and Parking
The City of Charlotte requires that new construction or significant expansions in the IMU District provide on-site open space. Developments must provide a minimum of 10% of the site area as open space, which may be common, public, or a combination thereof [Section 9.4].
Regarding vehicle storage, the IMU District utilizes Tier 2 parking requirements. This tier establishes both minimum and maximum limits on the number of off-street parking spaces to balance automobile access with the City’s multimodal goals [Table 19-1].
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
- Section 9.4 Open Space Requirements
- Section 9.6 Supplemental Development Standards
- Table 9-1 Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District Building Siting Standards
- Table 9-2 Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District Building Height Standards
- Table 9-3 Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District Building Articulation Standards
- Table 9-4 Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District Transparency Standards
- Article 15. Use Regulations
- Table 15-1 Use Matrix
- Article 16. General Development Regulations
- Article 19. Off-Street Vehicle & Bicycle Parking
- Table 19-1 Vehicle Parking Requirements