UE: Uptown Edge Zoning District Use and Development Guide
The UE: Uptown Edge Zoning District in the City of Charlotte is a high-intensity mixed-use designation designed to transition between the dense Uptown core and adjacent urban neighborhoods. It allows for a robust variety of by-right residential, office, and commercial uses, including multi-family dwellings and retail centers, while maintaining a walkable pedestrian orientation [Section 12.1.B]. Development in the UE: Uptown Edge Zoning District features a minimum base building height of 24 feet and a maximum height with bonuses of up to 300 feet [Table 12-2].
Purpose of the UE District
In the City of Charlotte, the UE: Uptown Edge Zoning District is intended for areas of transition. The district focuses on high-quality design and compatibility with adjacent developments, facilitating a walkable environment that supports the 24-hour nature of the City of Charlotte’s urban center [Section 12.1.B].
Allowed and Prohibited Uses
The City of Charlotte uses a Global Use Matrix to determine permissions. "X" indicates a use is permitted by-right, "PC" indicates a use is permitted subject to prescribed conditions, "C" indicates conditional zoning is required, and "C/PC" indicates both are required. Shaded/blank cells indicate the use is prohibited [Section 15.2.B].
Residential Uses
The UE: Uptown Edge Zoning District allows for high-density residential living to support vertical mixed-use development.
| Use Type | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| Multi-Family Stacked Dwelling | X |
| Multi-Family Attached Dwelling | PC |
| Multi-Dwelling Development | PC |
| Live/Work Dwelling | X |
| Single Room Occupancy (SRO) | PC |
| Group Home | PC |
| Continuum Care Retirement Community (CCRC) | X |
| Dormitory | X |
| Single-Family, Duplex, Triplex, Quadraplex | PC |
Commercial and Employment Uses
Commercial uses in the City of Charlotte UE: Uptown Edge Zoning District are focused on services, retail, and entertainment that serve both regional and local markets.
| Use Type | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| Art Gallery / Arts or Fitness Studio | X |
| Financial Institution | X |
| Hotel/Motel | X |
| Medical/Dental Office | X |
| Office | X |
| Personal Service Establishment | X |
| Restaurant/Bar | PC |
| Retail Goods Establishment (with Showroom) | X |
| Specialty Food Service | X |
| Vehicle Dealership (Enclosed only) | X |
| Vehicle Rental (Enclosed only) | X |
| Live Performance Venue (Indoor) | PC |
| Micro-Production of Alcohol | PC |
| Reception Facility | PC |
| Stadium | C |
Institutional and Governmental Uses
| Use Type | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| Community Center / Cultural Facility | X |
| Educational Facility (All Levels) | X |
| Government Office/Facility | X |
| Place of Worship | X |
| Public Safety Facility | X |
| Correctional Facility | C |
Industrial and Infrastructure Uses
Most heavy industrial uses are prohibited in the City of Charlotte UE: Uptown Edge Zoning District to preserve the pedestrian environment.
| Use Type | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| Industrial, Craft | PC |
| Industrial, Light | PC |
| Movie Studio | C/PC |
| Parking Lot or Structure (Principal Use) | X |
| Public Transit Facility | X |
| Utility (Includes Transmission/Distribution) | PC |
| Wireless Telecommunications | PC |
Prohibited Uses
Uses not explicitly listed as permitted or conditional in the Global Use Matrix are prohibited. Notable prohibited uses in the UE: Uptown Edge Zoning District include:
- Adult Electronic Gaming Establishments or Adult Uses [Table 15-1].
- Car Washes and Drive-Through Establishments [Table 15-1].
- Heavy Retail and Outdoor Storage Yards [Table 15-1].
- Junkyards or Salvage Yards [Table 15-1].
- Vehicle Fueling Facilities and Outdoor Vehicle Dealerships [Table 15-1].
- Truck Stops and Truck Terminals [Table 15-1].
Development Standards
Development within the City of Charlotte UE: Uptown Edge Zoning District must adhere to specific intensity and siting requirements to maintain the "Uptown Edge" character.
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Building Height | 24 feet |
| Maximum Building Height | 150 feet |
| Maximum Building Height with Bonus | 300 feet |
| Minimum Side Setback | 0 feet (or 10 feet if abutting N1 Place Type) |
| Minimum Rear Setback | 0 feet (or 20 feet if abutting N1 Place Type) |
| Frontage Setback (Main Street) | 24 feet from future back of curb |
| Minimum BTZ Build-To Percentage | 80% (varies by frontage) |
Parking Requirements
The UE: Uptown Edge Zoning District is classified as a Tier 3 parking district. This means there are generally no minimum parking requirements for most uses, but maximums are strictly enforced to encourage transit usage [Section 19.2.A.1].
| Standard | Tier 3 Requirement (UE District) |
|---|---|
| Minimum Off-Street Parking | None (except when within 400’ of N1 Place Type) |
| Maximum Off-Street Parking | 2 per dwelling unit (Residential) |
| Bicycle Parking | 1 per 5 units (Residential); 1 per 1,500sf GFA (Commercial) |
Sections Cited
- Article 12: Regional Activity Center Zoning Districts: RAC, UE, UC
- Article 15: Use Regulations
- Article 19: Off-Street Vehicle & Bicycle Parking
- Table 12-1: Regional Activity Center Zoning Districts Building Siting Standards
- Table 12-2: Regional Activity Center Zoning Districts Building Height Standards
- Table 15-1: Global Use Matrix
- Table 19-1: Vehicle Parking Requirements