OG: Office General Zoning District Use Guide
The OG: Office General Zoning District in the City of Charlotte is primarily intended to accommodate professional office development that is either supplemental to institutional campuses or situated as standalone uses. Within the City of Charlotte, the OG: Office General Zoning District allows a broad spectrum of commercial, institutional, and governmental activities by-right, while residential uses are generally permitted subject to specific prescribed conditions. Heavy industrial operations, vehicle dealerships, and adult-oriented businesses are strictly prohibited within the OG: Office General Zoning District to maintain the district's professional and supplemental character [Section 7.1.D].
Purpose and Intent of the OG District
The City of Charlotte established the OG: Office General Zoning District to facilitate office environments that support the needs of both the current and future economy. While the OG: Office General Zoning District accommodates automobile access, its development standards are designed to foster internal and external walkability, ensuring cohesive connections to the broader pedestrian network of the City of Charlotte [Section 7.1.D].
Technical Development Standards
Development within the OG: Office General Zoning District must adhere to specific dimensional and siting requirements. The following tables outline the core standards for the district.
Lot and Coverage Standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum District Size | N/A (No minimum size) |
| 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 OG: Office General Zoning District [Section 7.3.B, Table 7-1].
Siting and Setback Standards
Setbacks in the OG: Office General Zoning District are measured from the future back of curb as defined by the City of Charlotte Streets Map.
| Frontage Type | Setback Line (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, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | 20 feet |
| Uptown Primary | 20 feet |
| Other - Primary | 36 feet |
| Secondary | 36 feet |
| Parkway (from ROW) | 20 feet |
| Limited Access (from ROW) | 20 feet |
| Minimum Side Setback | 10 feet |
| Minimum Rear Setback | 20 feet |
[Section 7.3.C, Table 7-2]
Building Height Standards
| Standard | Height Limit |
|---|---|
| Maximum Building Height | 50 feet |
| Maximum Height with Bonus (Section 16.3) | 80 feet |
Note: Building height may be increased by one foot for every additional foot of setback provided from required side and rear setbacks, up to a maximum of 65 feet, unless the development utilizes the voluntary bonus system [Section 7.3.D, Table 7-3].
Allowed Uses
The City of Charlotte classifies allowed uses in the OG: Office General Zoning District as either permitted by-right (X) or permitted with prescribed conditions (PC).
Residential Uses
Residential development is permitted in the OG: Office General Zoning District, provided it meets the supplemental standards for the district:
- Permitted with Prescribed Conditions (PC): Dwelling - Duplex, Dwelling - Multi-Family Attached, Dwelling - Multi-Family Stacked, Dwelling - Quadraplex, Dwelling - Single-Family, and Multi-Dwelling Development [Table 15-1].
Commercial and Office Uses
The OG: Office General Zoning District provides extensive flexibility for professional and service-oriented businesses:
- Permitted By-Right (X): Art Gallery, Arts or Fitness Studio, Broadcasting Facility (No Antennae), Convention Center, Financial Institution, Hotel/Motel, Industrial Design, Lodge/Meeting Hall, Medical/Dental Office, Office, Outdoor Market, Personal Service Establishment, Specialty Food Service, Telecommunications and Data Storage Facility, and Vehicle Rental (Enclosed) [Table 15-1].
- Permitted with Prescribed Conditions (PC): Animal Care Facility, Broadcasting Facility (With Antennae), Commercial Kitchen, Restaurant/Bar, and Retail Goods Establishment [Table 15-1].
Institutional, Governmental, and Public Health Uses
- Permitted By-Right (X): Community Center, Educational Facility (Pre-School, Primary/Secondary, University, or Vocational), Government Office/Facility, Place of Worship, Public Safety Facility, Food Pantry, Healthcare Institution, and Social Service Facility [Table 15-1].
- Permitted with Prescribed Conditions (PC): Adult Care Center, Childcare Center (including Large), Drug Treatment Clinic, and Homeless Shelter [Table 15-1].
Transportation and Infrastructure Uses
- Permitted By-Right (X): Parking Lot (Principal Use), Parking Structure (Principal Use), and Public Transit Facility [Table 15-1].
- Permitted with Prescribed Conditions (PC): Utility (Transmission & Distribution) and Wireless Telecommunications [Table 15-1].
Prohibited Uses
Any use not explicitly listed as permitted or conditional in the Use Matrix is prohibited in the OG: Office General Zoning District. Significant prohibited uses include:
- Industrial: All heavy industrial processes, salvage yards, recycling collection centers (as principal use), and warehouses [Table 15-1].
- Commercial: Adult uses, nightclubs, car washes, and vehicle dealerships (both enclosed and outdoor) [Table 15-1].
- Residential: Single Room Occupancy (SRO) and Manufactured Homes [Table 15-1].
- Transportation: Truck stops and vehicle operations facilities [Table 15-1].
Sections Cited
- Article 7, Campus Zoning Districts
- Section 7.1, Purpose (7.1.D)
- Section 7.3, Dimensional and Design Standards (Tables 7-1, 7-2, 7-3)
- Article 15, Use Regulations
- Section 15.2, Global Use Matrix (Table 15-1)
- Section 16.3, Development Bonus