OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District in Charlotte
The OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District in the City of Charlotte is designated for large-scale office, medical, and research campuses that may incorporate light industrial components. This district requires a minimum district size of 10 acres and generally limits building heights to 50 feet, though this may be increased to 80 feet through the application of development bonuses [Section 7.1 and Table 7-1].
General Character and Purpose
The OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District is intended to support the development of extensive professional environments within the City of Charlotte. While these developments are characterized as relatively low-intensity compared to urban centers, the City of Charlotte UDO includes specific standards for this district to foster both internal and external walkability. A key feature of the OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District is its ability to support a mix of primary office or research functions alongside light industrial activities and necessary supporting uses, such as retail, personal services, and eating and drinking establishments to serve campus employees and visitors [Section 7.1.C].
Permitted Land Uses
The City of Charlotte UDO allows a variety of uses within the OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District, often subject to prescribed conditions (PC) to ensure compatibility with the campus environment.
Residential Uses
While primarily an employment-focused district, the City of Charlotte permits several residential types in the OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District, typically when associated with campus developments:
- Permitted with Prescribed Conditions: Single-family, Duplex, Triplex, Quadraplex, Multi-family attached, Multi-family stacked, and Multi-dwelling developments [Table 15-1].
Commercial and Employment Uses
The core of the OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District is focused on professional and service-oriented uses:
- Permitted by Right (X): Art gallery, Arts or fitness studio, Commercial fitness center, Financial institution, Hotel/motel, Industrial design, Medical/dental office, Office, Outdoor market, Personal service establishment, Retail showroom, Specialty food service [Table 15-1].
- Permitted with Prescribed Conditions (PC): Animal care facility, Commercial kitchen, Restaurant/bar, and Retail goods establishment [Table 15-1].
Institutional, Governmental, and Industrial Uses
- Institutional: Community center, Cultural facility, Gov office/facility, and Place of worship are permitted by right. Childcare centers and Public safety facilities are permitted with conditions [Table 15-1].
- Industrial: Light assembly and Beneficial fill sites are permitted with conditions. Movie studios may be permitted through conditional zoning [Table 15-1].
Dimensional and Design Standards
Development in the OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District must adhere to specific lot and siting requirements to maintain the intended campus character in the City of Charlotte.
Lot and Building Coverage Standards
The following table outlines the fundamental lot requirements for the OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District:
| 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 City of Charlotte [Table 7-1].
Building Siting and Setbacks
Setbacks in the OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District vary depending on the type of street frontage:
| Frontage Type | Setback Line (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, Public Path/Park | 20 feet |
| Other Primary / Secondary | 36 feet |
| Minimum Side Setback | 10 feet |
| Minimum Rear Setback | 20 feet |
[Table 7-2]
Building Height Standards
Height limits in the OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District provide a transition between campus uses and surrounding areas:
| Building Type | Maximum Height |
|---|---|
| Residential | 50 feet |
| Nonresidential and Mixed-Use | 50 feet |
| Maximum Height with Bonus | 80 feet |
[Table 7-3]
Off-Street Parking Requirements
The City of Charlotte UDO categorizes the OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District under "Tier 1" for parking requirements. This tier typically mandates minimum parking levels without imposing a maximum cap.
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Residential (General) | 1 per dwelling unit |
| Office | 1 per 750 sq. ft. GFA |
| Medical/Dental Office | 1 per 750 sq. ft. GFA |
| Retail Goods Establishment | 1 per 750 sq. ft. GFA |
| Restaurant/Bar | 1 per 750 sq. ft. GFA + 50% of outdoor seating |
[Table 19-1]
Sections Cited
- Article 7: Campus Zoning Districts
- Section 7.1: Purpose
- Table 7-1: Campus Zoning Districts Lot Standards
- Table 7-2: Campus Zoning Districts Building Siting Standards
- Table 7-3: Campus Zoning Districts Building Height Standards
- Table 15-1: Use Matrix
- Table 19-1: Vehicle Parking Requirements