Setback Standards for the CAC-1 Community Activity Center District
In the City of Charlotte, the CAC-1: Community Activity Center Zoning District utilizes a frontage-based setback system where front setbacks range from 5 feet to 36 feet depending on the specific street or public space classification. Side and rear setbacks in the CAC-1 District are 0 feet by default, but they increase to 10 feet and 20 feet, respectively, when the property abuts a Neighborhood 1 Place Type [Table 11-1].
Frontage Setback Requirements
The City of Charlotte regulates the primary building line for the CAC-1: Community Activity Center Zoning District based on the type of "frontage" the lot faces. These setbacks are generally measured from the future back of curb as defined by the City of Charlotte Streets Map [Section 32.7.C].
| Frontage Type | CAC-1 Frontage Setback Line |
|---|---|
| Uptown Signature | 24 feet |
| Main Street | 24 feet |
| Linear Park | 36 feet |
| 4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 20 feet |
| 6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 24 feet |
| 2-3 Lane Avenue | 20 feet |
| Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | 5 feet |
| Uptown Primary | 20 feet |
| Other - Primary | 20 feet |
| Uptown Secondary | 16 feet |
| Secondary | 16 feet |
| Parkway (Measured from Right-of-Way) | 20 feet |
| Limited Access (Measured from Right-of-Way) | 10 feet |
Side and Rear Setback Requirements
In the CAC-1: Community Activity Center Zoning District, side and rear setbacks are designed to allow for dense, urban development while providing protections for adjacent residential areas. If a City of Charlotte property in this district does not abut a Neighborhood 1 Place Type, no side or rear setback is required.
| Setback Type | Condition | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Side Setback | Not abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type | 0 feet |
| Abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type | 10 feet | |
| Minimum Rear Setback | Not abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type | 0 feet |
| Abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type | 20 feet |
Additional Siting Regulations for CAC-1
The City of Charlotte applies several additional rules to building siting in the CAC-1: Community Activity Center Zoning District:
Measurement Standards
- Measurement Point: Frontage setbacks are measured from the future back of curb. If no curb exists, the measurement is taken from the curb location specified in the Residential Wide Cross Section in the Charlotte Land Development Standards Manual (CLDSM) [Table 11-1, Note 1].
- Transit/Park Exceptions: For transit stations, off-street public paths, or public park frontages, the setback is measured from the property line or right-of-way line [Table 11-1, Note 3].
- Entry Clearance: No building entry may be located closer than six feet to an existing or proposed off-street public path or shared-use path [Table 11-1, Note 2].
Build-To Zones (BTZ)
In the CAC-1: Community Activity Center Zoning District, front setbacks often function alongside a Build-To Zone. The BTZ is the area between the frontage setback line and a specified maximum distance (usually 20 to 35 feet) where a certain percentage of the building façade must be located [Table 11-1].
Alternative Standards for "Last Frontage"
For lots in the City of Charlotte with three or more frontages, the CAC-1: Community Activity Center Zoning District allows one frontage (the "last frontage") to follow alternative standards. This can include the removal of requirements for ground-floor activation and prominent entrances, and a reduction in ground-floor transparency to 10% [Section 3.6.A.2].
Sections Cited
- Article 2: Rules of Construction, Abbreviations, & Definitions
- Section 3.5: Applicability of Frontages
- Section 3.6: Alternative Standards for Lots with Three or More Frontages
- Article 11: Community Activity Center Zoning Districts: CAC-1, CAC-2
- Section 11.3: Dimensional and Design Standards
- Table 11-1: Community Activity Center Zoning Districts Building Siting Standards
- Section 32.7: Improvements to Existing Streets