OG: Office General Zoning District in Charlotte
The OG: Office General Zoning District in the City of Charlotte allows for general office development with a standard maximum building height of 50 feet, which may be increased to 80 feet through a development bonus. The OG: Office General Zoning District requires a minimum lot width of 50 feet and limits maximum building coverage to 60%. Most uses in this district follow Tier 1 parking standards, which establish minimum parking requirements without setting maximum limits.
Purpose and Intent
The OG: Office General Zoning District is intended to accommodate areas of general office development within the City of Charlotte. This district is primarily designed to provide supplemental or supportive uses to larger institutional campuses, though it also allows for standalone office uses that are unrelated to such institutions [Section 7.1.D].
The regulations for the OG: Office General Zoning District are intended to ensure that while developments accommodate automobile access, they also prioritize walkability. This includes fostering internal and external pedestrian connections and ensuring development is integrated into the broader City of Charlotte pedestrian network [Section 7.1.D].
General Character
The character of the OG: Office General Zoning District is defined by its placement at key nodes or along arterial streets, often in proximity to institutional campuses. While the district can be appropriate within a predominantly commercial context, its focus remains on professional office and institutional support environments [Section 7.1.D].
Development in the City of Charlotte’s OG: Office General Zoning District typically consists of mid-rise structures. The district utilizes "Frontages" to determine specific siting and design requirements, ensuring that buildings interact appropriately with the various street types found in the City of Charlotte, such as Main Streets, Parkways, and Avenues [Section 7.3].
Permitted Land Uses
The OG: Office General Zoning District supports a wide array of professional, commercial, and institutional uses. Uses are categorized as permitted by-right (X) or permitted with prescribed conditions (PC).
Professional and Commercial Uses
The City of Charlotte permits the following primary uses in the OG: Office General Zoning District [Table 15-1]:
- Office and Professional: General Office (X), Medical/Dental Office (X), Industrial Design (X), and Research and Development (X).
- Retail and Service: Art Gallery (X), Arts or Fitness Studio (X), Financial Institution (X), Personal Service Establishment (X), and Specialty Food Service (X).
- Hospitality and Assembly: Hotel/Motel (X), Convention Center (X), and Restaurant/Bar (PC).
- Other Commercial: Animal Care Facility (PC), Funeral Home (PC), and Retail Goods Establishment (PC).
Institutional and Public Health Uses
The OG: Office General Zoning District serves as a hub for community services [Table 15-1]:
- Educational: Educational Facilities including Pre-School (PC), Primary/Secondary (X), and University/College (X).
- Community: Place of Worship (X), Community Center (X), Cultural Facility (X), and Public Safety Facility (X).
- Health: Healthcare Institution (X), Social Service Facility (X), and Drug Treatment Clinic (PC).
Residential Components
Residential uses are permitted in the OG: Office General Zoning District, typically subject to prescribed conditions [Table 15-1]:
- Single-Family, Duplex, Triplex, and Quadraplex dwellings (PC).
- Multi-Family Attached and Multi-Family Stacked dwellings (PC).
- Multi-Dwelling Developments (PC).
Technical Development Standards
Lot and Intensity Standards
The following table outlines the fundamental requirements for lots within the OG: Office General Zoning District [Table 7-1]:
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum District Size | N/A (No minimum) |
| Minimum Lot Width | 50 feet |
| Maximum Building Coverage | 60% |
Siting and Setback Standards
Building placement in the OG: Office General Zoning District is governed by the type of street frontage the lot faces [Table 7-2]:
| Frontage Type | Frontage Setback Line (from future back of curb) |
|---|---|
| Main Street | 24 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 Park | 20 feet |
| Uptown Signature | 24 feet |
| Other Setbacks | Requirement |
| Minimum Side Setback | 10 feet |
| Minimum Rear Setback | 20 feet |
Building Height Standards
Building heights in the OG: Office General Zoning District are capped to maintain compatibility with surrounding areas [Table 7-3]:
| Height Category | Maximum Height |
|---|---|
| Standard Maximum (All Uses) | 50 feet |
| Maximum Height with Bonus | 80 feet |
Off-Street Parking Requirements
The OG: Office General Zoning District utilizes the Tier 1 parking system. Under this system, the City of Charlotte mandates minimum parking counts but does not restrict the maximum number of spaces [Section 19.2.A.1, Table 19-1].
| Use Category | Tier 1 Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Office | 1 space per 750 sq. ft. GFA |
| Medical/Dental Office | 1 space per 750 sq. ft. GFA |
| Restaurant/Bar | 1 space per 750 sq. ft. GFA + 50% of outdoor seating area |
| Retail Goods Establishment | 1 space per 750 sq. ft. GFA |
| Multi-Family Dwellings | 1 to 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit (varies by type) |
Sections Cited
- Article 7. Campus Zoning Districts: IC-1, IC-2, OFC, OG, RC
- Section 7.1 Purpose (7.1.D OG General Office Zoning District)
- Section 7.3 Dimensional and Design Standards
- 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
- Article 15. Use Regulations
- 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