RC: Research Campus Zoning District Setback Requirements
In the City of Charlotte, building setbacks for the RC: Research Campus Zoning District are primarily determined by the type of street frontage or the adjacency to specific Place Types. Front setbacks in the RC: Research Campus Zoning District range from 5 feet for transit or park frontages to 36 feet for linear parks, while side and rear setbacks are not required unless the site abuts a Neighborhood 1 Place Type.
Frontage Setback Requirements
The City of Charlotte uses a frontage-based system to determine the required distance between a structure and the street. For the RC: Research Campus Zoning District, these distances are measured from the future back of curb, except for specific instances like parkways or transit stations where measurements are taken from the right-of-way or property line [Section 7.3, Table 7-2].
| Frontage Type | Required Setback (Feet) |
|---|---|
| Linear Park | 36' |
| 6 or More Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 24' |
| Main Street | 24' |
| Uptown Signature | 24' |
| 2-3 Lane Avenue | 20' |
| 4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 20' |
| Other - Primary | 20' |
| Parkway (Measured from Right-of-Way) | 20' |
| Uptown Primary | 20' |
| Secondary | 16' |
| Uptown Secondary | 16' |
| Limited Access (Measured from Right-of-Way) | 10' |
| Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | 5' |
Side and Rear Setback Requirements
The City of Charlotte permits flexible building placement within the RC: Research Campus Zoning District when a parcel does not border low-density residential areas. However, specific protections are required when a development in the RC: Research Campus Zoning District abuts a Neighborhood 1 Place Type [Section 7.3, Table 7-2].
| Setback Category | Minimum Setback (Feet) |
|---|---|
| Side Setback | |
| Not abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type | 0' |
| Abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type | 10' |
| Rear Setback | |
| Not abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type | 0' |
| Abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type | 20' |
Measurement Standards and General Provisions
Point of Measurement
In the RC: Research Campus Zoning District, frontage setbacks are generally measured from the future back of curb location as defined in the Charlotte Land Development Standards Manual (CLDSM). If no curb exists on a local or collector street, the measurement is taken from the curb location for the Office/Commercial Wide Local Street Cross Section [Section 7.3, Table 7-2, Note 1]. For frontages consisting of transit stations, off-street public paths, or public parks, the setback is measured from the property line or right-of-way line [Section 7.3, Table 7-2, Note 3].
Encroachments
The RC: Research Campus Zoning District allows certain architectural features to extend into required setbacks. For example:
- Accessibility Ramps: May extend into any required setback provided they do not obstruct pedestrian facilities [Section 18.3, Table 18-2].
- Awnings and Canopies: May extend up to 4 feet into a required frontage setback along a street [Section 18.3, Table 18-2].
- Balconies and Bay Windows: May extend up to 4 feet into a required frontage or rear setback [Section 18.3, Table 18-2].
- Chimneys and Decks: May extend up to 2 feet and 4 feet respectively into required setbacks [Section 18.3, Table 18-2].
Prohibited Placements
In the City of Charlotte, no surface parking, driveways, or maneuvering areas are permitted within the established setback along a frontage in the RC: Research Campus Zoning District, except for driveways installed nearly perpendicular to the street to provide access [Section 19.6, Table 19-4].
Sections Cited
- Article 7. Campus Zoning Districts: IC-1, IC-2, OFC, OG, RC
- Section 7.3 Dimensional and Design Standards
- Table 7-2 Campus Zoning Districts Building Siting Standards
- Article 18. Architectural Features
- Section 18.3 Architectural Features: Multi-Family Stacked, Mixed-Use, and Nonresidential Development
- Table 18-2 Permitted Architectural Features and Extensions for Multi-Family Stacked, Mixed-Use, and Nonresidential Development
- Article 19. Off-Street Vehicle & Bicycle Parking
- Section 19.6 Design of Surface Parking and Parking Lots
- Table 19-4 Surface Parking Area Location and Access