Regional Activity Center (RAC) Zoning District: Charlotte, North Carolina
The Regional Activity Center (RAC) Zoning District in the City of Charlotte is a high-intensity, mixed-use classification designed for major employment and cultural hubs. Key regulations for the RAC Zoning District include a minimum building height of 40 feet, a standard maximum height of 150 feet (which can be increased to 275 feet through the development bonus system), and a requirement that 80% of a structure's facade be located within a 0-20 foot build-to zone to maintain an urban pedestrian scale [Article 12.1; Table 12-1; Table 12-2].
Purpose and General Character
The RAC Zoning District is established by the City of Charlotte to accommodate significant regional destinations, including major employment centers and cultural locations. The district's character is defined by a vibrant, urban, and pedestrian-oriented environment [Article 12.1].
High-density residential uses are considered highly appropriate in the RAC Zoning District to facilitate the creation of vertically mixed-use developments. Design standards are intended to ensure a high quality of architecture and site layout that supports ease of access via transit systems [Article 12.1].
Permitted Land Uses
The City of Charlotte allows a broad spectrum of high-intensity uses within the RAC Zoning District, categorized as follows [Table 15-1]:
Residential Uses
- Permitted by Right: Continuum Care Retirement Communities (CCRC), Dormitories, and Multi-Family Stacked Units.
- Permitted with Prescribed Conditions: Duplexes, Triplexes, Quadraplexes, Multi-Family Attached Units, Group Homes, Multi-Dwelling Developments, and Single Room Occupancy (SRO) residences.
Commercial and Employment Uses
- Permitted by Right: Art Galleries, Arts or Fitness Studios, Financial Institutions, Hotel/Motel, Industrial Design, Medical/Dental Offices, Offices, Outdoor Markets, Personal Service Establishments, Retail Goods Establishments, and Specialty Food Service.
- Permitted with Prescribed Conditions: Broadcasting Facilities, Micro-Production of Alcohol, Nightclubs, Reception Facilities, and Restaurants/Bars.
Institutional and Governmental Uses
- Permitted by Right: Community Centers, Cultural Facilities, Educational Facilities (including University/College and Vocational), Government Offices, Places of Worship, Public Safety Facilities, and Public Works Facilities.
- Permitted with Prescribed Conditions: Childcare Centers and Healthcare Institutions.
Siting and Dimensional Standards
The City of Charlotte implements specific dimensional standards to ensure the RAC Zoning District maintains its intended high-density urban form. These standards focus on setbacks, the build-to zone (BTZ), and building height [Table 12-1; Table 12-2].
| Standard Type | RAC District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Frontage Setback Line (from future back of curb) | 24 feet (Standard Frontage) |
| Frontage Build-To Zone (BTZ) | 0 to 20 feet |
| Minimum BTZ Facade Percentage | 80% |
| Minimum Side Setback | 0 feet |
| Minimum Rear Setback | 0 feet |
| Minimum Building Height | 40 feet |
| Maximum Building Height | 150 feet |
| Maximum Building Height with Bonus | 275 feet |
| Maximum Building Length along a Frontage | 400 feet |
Building Design and Articulation
To enhance the pedestrian experience, the City of Charlotte requires specific design elements for structures in the RAC Zoning District. These include limits on blank walls and requirements for transparency (the amount of window area on a facade) [Table 12-3; Table 12-4].
- Blank Wall Area: The maximum horizontal or vertical contiguous blank wall allowed on a frontage-facing facade is 20 feet [Table 12-3].
- Transparency Requirements:
- Residential Ground Floor: 25% minimum [Table 12-4].
- Nonresidential Ground Floor: 50% minimum [Table 12-4].
- Upper Floors (All Uses): 15% minimum per story [Table 12-4].
- Prominent Entrances: A minimum of one prominent entrance is required per building on a site, and spacing between prominent entrances cannot exceed 250 feet [Section 12.3; Table 12-3].
Vehicle and Bicycle Parking
The RAC Zoning District is classified under the City of Charlotte's "Tier 3" parking system. This tier is designed for the most transit-supportive areas and emphasizes maximum parking limits over minimum requirements to encourage walkability and transit use [Section 19.2].
- Minimum Parking: Most uses in the RAC Zoning District have no minimum off-street vehicle parking requirement [Table 19-1].
- Maximum Parking: Maximum limits apply to both parking lots and parking structures. For example, a standard residential use is capped at 2 spaces per dwelling unit [Table 19-1].
- Bicycle Parking: The City of Charlotte requires both short-term and long-term bicycle parking for most developments in the RAC Zoning District. For example, commercial uses must provide one space per 1,500 square feet of gross floor area [Table 19-3].
Sections Cited
- Article 12. Regional Activity Center Zoning Districts: RAC, UE, UC
- Article 15. Use Regulations
- Article 16. General Development Regulations
- Article 19. Off-Street Vehicle & Bicycle Parking