Setback Requirements for the N1-A Neighborhood 1 Zoning District in Charlotte
In the City of Charlotte, the N1-A Neighborhood 1 Zoning District generally requires a minimum front setback of 27 feet, a side setback of 5 feet, and a rear setback of 40 feet. For corner lots within the N1-A Neighborhood 1 Zoning District, a minimum corner side setback of 13.5 feet is required, though this increases to the standard front setback dimension if the corner side is located along an arterial street. Specific alternative residential options, such as compact or conservation developments, may permit significantly reduced setbacks for projects meeting specific environmental or density criteria.
Standard Building Siting Standards
The following table outlines the fundamental building siting requirements for the N1-A Neighborhood 1 Zoning District. These measurements are typically taken from the street right-of-way line or the property line [Table 4-2].
| Standard | N1-A Neighborhood 1 Zoning District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Front Setback | 27 feet |
| Minimum Corner Side Setback | 13.5 feet |
| Minimum Side Setback | 5 feet |
| Minimum Rear Setback | 40 feet |
Refinements and Modifications
The City of Charlotte provides several specific conditions that may modify the standard setbacks for the N1-A Neighborhood 1 Zoning District:
- Averaging Front Setbacks: If an established blockface in the N1-A Neighborhood 1 Zoning District is at least 25% developed or has at least four existing dwellings, a new single-family, duplex, or triplex dwelling may be located at or behind the average front setback of the two closest residential buildings on that blockface, provided it is at least 10 feet from the right-of-way [Table 4-2, Footnote 2].
- Arterial Corner Side Setbacks: When a corner side setback is located along an arterial street, the building must adhere to the minimum front setback dimension (27 feet) instead of the standard corner side dimension [Table 4-2, Footnote 5].
- Through Lots: For lots in the N1-A Neighborhood 1 Zoning District that abut both a local/collector street and a parallel arterial street, buildings must be oriented toward the local or collector street [Table 4-2, Footnote 3].
- Measurement Locations: Setbacks on local and collector streets are measured from the existing right-of-way. On arterial and limited access streets, the City of Charlotte measures setbacks from two feet behind the future sidewalk as defined by the Charlotte Streets Map [Table 4-2, Footnote 7].
Setbacks for Alternative Development Options
The City of Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance allows for alternative development types within the N1-A Neighborhood 1 Zoning District that feature different setback requirements.
Compact Residential Development
Compact residential developments are permitted in the N1-A Neighborhood 1 Zoning District to support increased access to housing through reduced lot sizes and setbacks [Section 4.5.C].
| Standard | Compact Development Requirement (N1-A) |
|---|---|
| Minimum Front Setback | 10 feet |
| Minimum Corner Side Setback | 10 feet |
| Minimum Side Setback | 5 feet |
| Minimum Rear Setback | 15 feet |
Note: The rear setback for compact developments may be further reduced to 5 feet if parking and garages for all units are accessed from an alley at the rear of the building, provided the front setback is increased by five feet [Table 4-8, Footnote 1].
Conservation Residential Development
For conservation residential developments, which Exchange lot size for the provision of green space, the N1-A Neighborhood 1 Zoning District allows for a 50% reduction in front and rear setbacks [Section 4.5.A.2.a.v].
- Side Setback: 5 feet.
- Corner Side Setback: 10 feet.
- Front and Rear Setback: Reduced by 50% from the standard N1-A requirements.
- Common Open Space Frontage: Where a lot in a conservation development fronts on a common open space or green area, the front setback is 5 feet behind the property line [Section 4.5.A.2.a.v.(D)].
Accessory Structure Setbacks
In the N1-A Neighborhood 1 Zoning District, accessory structures are generally prohibited in the established front or corner side setbacks [Section 17.1.E.1]. Within an established side or rear setback, they must be located a minimum of three feet from a lot line [Section 17.1.E.2]. However, if an accessory structure has a height of 24 feet or more, it must be set back at least 15 feet from a rear lot line and meet the standard side setback for the district [Section 17.1.E.2.a].
Sections Cited
- Article 4. Neighborhood 1 Zoning Districts
- Section 4.5 Alternative Residential Development Options
- Table 4-2: Neighborhood 1 Zoning Districts Building Siting Standards
- Table 4-8: Compact Residential Development Standards
- Section 17.1 General Standards for Accessory Structures