TOD-UC Transit Urban Center Zoning District Setback Standards in the City of Charlotte

The TOD-UC Transit Urban Center Zoning District in the City of Charlotte features variable frontage setbacks ranging from 5 to 36 feet depending on the specific street or path classification, with a standard Build-To Zone of 0 to 10 feet. When the TOD-UC District does not abut a Neighborhood 1 Place Type, the side and rear setbacks are 0 feet, but this requirement increases to a 10-foot side setback and a 20-foot rear setback when directly adjacent to Neighborhood 1 Place Types. These regulations ensure that City of Charlotte developments within the TOD-UC District prioritize urban form and pedestrian connectivity while providing transitions to lower-intensity residential areas.

Frontage Setback Requirements

In the City of Charlotte, the TOD-UC District utilizes a frontage-based system to determine the minimum distance a structure must be set back from the future back of curb or property line. These distances vary significantly based on the classification of the street or public space the lot faces.

Table 1: TOD-UC Frontage Setback Standards

Frontage Type	Setback Line (from future back of curb)
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 ROW)	20 feet
Limited Access (Measured from ROW)	10 feet

[Table 13-1]

Build-To Zone (BTZ) Standards

The City of Charlotte requires most structures in the TOD-UC District to be located within a specific Build-To Zone (BTZ). The BTZ is the area on a lot, measured parallel from the required frontage setback line, where the building facade must be placed to meet minimum building length requirements.

For the TOD-UC District, the Build-To Zone for all permitted frontages (except for Parkway and Limited Access, which do not have a defined BTZ) is 0 to 10 feet from the established frontage setback line [Table 13-1].

Side and Rear Setback Requirements

The side and rear setbacks for the TOD-UC District are primarily determined by the "Place Type" of the adjacent property. This ensures a compatible transition when a high-intensity urban development is located next to a traditional residential neighborhood.

Table 2: TOD-UC Side and Rear Setback Standards

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

[Table 13-1]

Measurement and General Siting Rules

The following additional rules apply to siting buildings within the TOD-UC District in the City of Charlotte:

• Measurement Basis: On local and collector streets, setbacks are measured from the existing back of curb. In instances where no curb exists, the measurement is taken from the Residential Wide Cross Section as defined in the Charlotte Land Development Standards Manual (CLDSM) [Table 13-1, Footnote 1].
• Transit and Path Frontages: For frontages facing transit stations, off-street public paths, or public parks, the setback is measured from the property line or the right-of-way line [Table 13-1, Footnote 3].
• Building Entry Constraints: In no case shall any building entry be located closer than six feet to an existing or proposed off-street public path or shared-use path [Table 13-1, Footnote 2].
• Infrastructure Conflicts: If a City of Charlotte Water easement, utility easement, or overhead utility clearance conflicts with the Build-To Zone, a build-to line shall be established at the edge of the easement or the edge of the required clearance [Table 13-1, Footnote 4].

Sections Cited

• Section 13.1, Purpose and Applicability
• Section 13.3, Dimensional and Design Standards
• Table 13-1, Transit Oriented Development Zoning Districts Building Siting Standards