Setback Requirements for the UC Uptown Core Zoning District in Charlotte
In the UC Uptown Core Zoning District of the City of Charlotte, frontage setbacks are determined by the classification of the street, with most requirements ranging from 10 to 36 feet measured from the future back of curb. Side and rear setbacks for the UC Uptown Core Zoning District are typically 0 feet to facilitate dense urban development, though these increase to 10 feet for sides and 20 feet for rears when the property abuts a Neighborhood 1 Place Type [Table 12-1]. Additionally, buildings in this district must adhere to strict "build-to" percentages, often requiring 100% of the building façade to be located within a 10-foot zone from the setback line [Table 12-1].
Frontage Setback Requirements
The City of Charlotte utilizes a frontage-based system to determine setbacks in the UC Uptown Core Zoning District. The distance is measured from the future back of curb or, in the case of transit stations and public parks, from the property or right-of-way line [Section 12.3.B].
| Frontage Type | UC Uptown Core Setback (Feet) |
|---|---|
| Uptown Signature | 24 |
| Main Street | 24 |
| Linear Park | 36 |
| 4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 20 |
| 6 or More Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 24 |
| 2-3 Lane Avenue | 20 |
| Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, or Public Park | 5 |
| Uptown Primary | 20 |
| Other - Primary | 20 |
| Uptown Secondary | 16 |
| Secondary | 16 |
| Parkway (Measured from ROW) | 20 |
| Limited Access (Measured from ROW) | 10 |
Side and Rear Setbacks
The City of Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) allows for maximum building coverage and efficiency in the UC Uptown Core Zoning District by permitting zero-foot setbacks in most cases where the site does not border lower-intensity residential areas [Section 12.1.C].
| Setback Type | Condition | UC Uptown Core Requirement (Feet) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Side Setback | Not abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type | 0 |
| Abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type | 10 | |
| Minimum Rear Setback | Not abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type | 0 |
| Abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type | 20 |
Building Siting and Build-To Zones (BTZ)
In the UC Uptown Core Zoning District, the frontage setback line establishes the starting point for the Build-To Zone. For most frontages in this district, the BTZ is the area between 0 and 10 feet behind the established frontage setback line [Table 12-1].
For Main Streets in the UC Uptown Core Zoning District, 100% of the building façade must be located within this Build-To Zone. For other primary and secondary frontages, the minimum BTZ build-to percentage is 80% [Table 12-1]. These regulations ensure the City of Charlotte maintains a continuous and vibrant urban street wall in its most intense mixed-use environment [Section 12.1.C].
Measurement and Encroachments
- Measurement: Setbacks on frontages are generally measured from the future back of curb at the outermost point from the centerline. For non-street frontages like transit stations or public paths, they are measured from the property line [Section 12.3.B.3].
- Dryland Access: If a habitable building is located within a floodplain, dryland access must be provided. This access route must be constructed entirely at or above the elevation of the highest point of the public street adjacent to the property [Section 27.4.D].
- Underground Structures: All uses are permitted to have underground parking structures, which may encroach into a setback but must remain at least five feet from the right-of-way line [Section 19.8].
Sections Cited
- Section 12.1.C, UC Uptown Core Zoning District
- Section 12.3, Dimensional and Design Standards
- Table 12-1, Regional Activity Center Zoning Districts Building Siting Standards
- Section 12.3.B, Building Siting
- Section 19.8, Design of Underground Parking Structures
- Section 27.4.D, Dryland Access