Setback Requirements for the IMU Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District in Charlotte
In the City of Charlotte, the IMU Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District requires frontage setbacks ranging from 5 feet to 36 feet, depending on the specific street classification. While side and rear setbacks are generally 0 feet for properties within the IMU Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District, these distances increase to 10 feet and 20 feet, respectively, when the property abuts a Neighborhood 1 Place Type. Additionally, no building entry in the IMU Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District may be situated closer than 6 feet to any existing or proposed off-street public path or shared-use path.
Frontage Setback Requirements
In the IMU Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District, frontage setbacks are typically measured from the future back of curb as defined by the City of Charlotte [Section 9.3.B]. For specific frontage types like transit stations or public parks, the measurement is taken from the property line or right-of-way line [Table 9-1, Note 3].
| Frontage Type | Minimum Setback (from future back of curb unless noted) |
|---|---|
| Linear Park | 36 feet |
| Uptown Signature | 24 feet |
| Main Street | 24 feet |
| 6 or More Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 24 feet |
| 4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 20 feet |
| 2-3 Lane Avenue | 20 feet |
| Uptown Primary | 20 feet |
| Other - Primary | 20 feet |
| Parkway (Measured from ROW) | 20 feet |
| Uptown Secondary | 16 feet |
| Secondary | 16 feet |
| Limited Access (Measured from ROW) | 10 feet |
| Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | 5 feet |
Side and Rear Setback Requirements
The City of Charlotte establishes side and rear setback requirements for the IMU Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District based on the adjacency to Neighborhood 1 Place Types. This ensures a proper transition between the mixed-use environment and lower-intensity residential areas [Section 9.1].
| Setback Type | Not Abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type | Abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Side Setback | 0 feet | 10 feet |
| Minimum Rear Setback | 0 feet | 20 feet |
Supplemental Siting Regulations
The City of Charlotte applies several additional rules regarding building siting within the IMU Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District:
- Building Entries: To ensure pedestrian safety, building entries must be located at least 6 feet away from any existing or proposed shared-use path or off-street public path [Table 9-1, Note 2].
- Measurement Standards: On local and collector streets where no curb exists, the setback is measured from the curb location for the Office/Commercial Wide Local Street Cross Section in the Charlotte Land Development Standards Manual (CLDSM) [Table 9-1, Note 1].
- Utility Easements: If a build-to zone requirement (which is measured starting from the frontage setback line) conflicts with a Charlotte Water easement or overhead utility clearance, a build-to line is established at the edge of the easement or utility clearance [Table 9-1, Note 4].
- Multiple Frontages: For lots in the IMU Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District with more than two frontages requiring a build-to zone, the build-to zone is increased by 100% for the frontages that exceed two, specifically those lowest in the established frontage hierarchy [Table 9-1, Note 5].
Sections Cited
- Article 9, Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District: IMU
- Section 9.1, Purpose
- Section 9.3, Dimensional and Design Standards
- Table 9-1, Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District Building Siting Standards