What is the new Charlotte UDO?

Charlotte adopted the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) in 2023, replacing the previous Zoning Ordinance with a place-type based approach aligned with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Place types range from N1 (low-density neighborhood) to RAC (regional activity center). The UDO changed how setbacks, parking, and design standards work. Check Charlotte Explorer for your property's place type.

What are the typical residential setbacks under the UDO?

N1 place types require 20-30 foot front, 5-15 foot side, and 20-foot rear setbacks with 40% lot coverage. N2 allows 10-25 foot front and 0-10 foot side setbacks with 60% coverage. Activity Centers use build-to lines instead of traditional setbacks. Always check Charlotte Explorer at explore.charlottenc.gov for your specific place type.

What tree protection is required?

The Tree Ordinance requires a tree survey of all trees 8 inches+ DBH. Heritage trees (30 inches+ DBH) have the highest protection. Development must preserve minimum tree canopy percentages based on place type. Removed trees require replacement or Tree Canopy Fund payment. Protected tree removal requires a tree permit.

What stormwater management is required?

Projects disturbing 12,000+ sq ft need a stormwater plan addressing peak flow and water quality. 100-foot buffers are required along perennial streams, 50-foot along intermittent. Approved BMPs include wet detention, bioretention, sand filters, and constructed wetlands. Monthly Storm Water Services fees apply based on impervious surface.

What historic district requirements apply?

Charlotte has local historic districts (Fourth Ward, Dilworth, Wesley Heights, Plaza Midwood) requiring HLC Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior work. North Carolina state historic tax credits are available for certified rehabilitation. HLC review adds 30-60 days.

How do I submit plans to Charlotte?

Submit through Accela portal at charlottenc.gov/development for electronic plan review. Walk-in at 600 E. 4th Street. Residential permits take 10-15 business days. Express permits available for simple projects.

What are stream buffer requirements?

Charlotte-Mecklenburg requires 100-foot buffers along perennial streams and 50-foot buffers along intermittent streams. No development, grading, or clearing is permitted within stream buffers. Your site plan must show all streams and required buffer areas. These buffers can significantly limit buildable area on affected properties.

How long does Charlotte plan review take?

Residential plan review takes 10-15 business days. Express residential permits available. Commercial takes 20-30 business days. HLC historic review adds 30-60 days. Stormwater review is concurrent with building plan review.

Charlotte Site Plan Requirements & Permit Guide (2025)

By Site Plan Creator Team • March 6, 2026

Everything you need to know about creating site plans for building permits in Charlotte, including the UDO requirements and Mecklenburg County coordination.

Charlotte Site Plan Requirements: Complete Guide for Building Permits

Creating a site plan for a building permit in Charlotte, North Carolina requires meeting specific requirements set by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Department and Development Center. Charlotte's development is governed by the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) adopted in 2023, which replaced the previous Charlotte Zoning Ordinance with a modernized, form-based approach.

What Is a Site Plan and Why Does Charlotte Require One?

A site plan is a scaled drawing showing your property boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction, setbacks, and site features. The Development Center requires a site plan for all building permit applications to verify compliance with the UDO and the North Carolina State Building Code. Look up your property's zoning through Charlotte Explorer at explore.charlottenc.gov.

Required Site Plan Elements

Property boundaries with accurate dimensions and total lot area
Setbacks from all property lines per UDO standards
Existing structures with square footage, height, and use
Proposed construction clearly distinguished
Lot coverage and impervious surface calculations
Parking spaces per UDO requirements
Tree save areas per the Tree Ordinance
Stormwater management features per the Post-Construction Stormwater Ordinance
Buffer yards between incompatible uses
North arrow and scale
Mecklenburg County parcel ID

UDO Place Types and Setback Requirements

Charlotte's 2023 UDO organizes the city into place types based on the 2040 Comprehensive Plan:

Neighborhood 1 (N1): Detached housing on larger lots. Front 20-30 feet, side 5-15 feet, rear 20 feet. Max lot coverage 40%. Max height 40 feet.
Neighborhood 2 (N2): Mix of detached/attached housing. Front 10-25 feet, side 0-10 feet, rear 15 feet. Max lot coverage 60%.
Community Activity Center (CAC): Mixed-use centers with build-to lines and reduced setbacks.
Regional Activity Center (RAC): Highest intensity mixed-use with minimal setbacks.
Innovation District (ID): Flexible standards for creative and technology uses.

The UDO's place-type system is a significant departure from traditional Euclidean zoning and may affect properties that were previously zoned differently.

Tree Ordinance Requirements

Charlotte-Mecklenburg's Tree Ordinance requires:

Tree save calculation: Development sites must preserve a minimum percentage of existing tree canopy based on place type
Protected trees: Trees 8 inches+ DBH require a tree permit for removal
Heritage trees: Trees 30 inches+ DBH receive the highest protection
Mitigation: Removed trees require replacement planting or payment into the Tree Canopy Fund
Tree survey: All trees 8 inches+ DBH must be shown on the site plan

Post-Construction Stormwater Requirements

Charlotte-Mecklenburg's Post-Construction Stormwater Ordinance is among the most comprehensive in the Southeast:

Threshold: Projects disturbing 12,000+ sq ft or adding any built-upon area require a stormwater management plan
Detention and water quality: Must address both peak flow attenuation and water quality treatment
Stream buffers: 100-foot buffers along perennial streams, 50-foot along intermittent streams
Stormwater BMPs: Wet detention ponds, bioretention, sand filters, and constructed wetlands approved
Stormwater fees: Monthly Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services fee based on impervious surface

Historic Preservation Requirements

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC) reviews projects affecting designated landmarks and districts
Local historic districts: Including Fourth Ward, Dilworth, Wesley Heights, and Plaza Midwood
Certificate of Appropriateness required for exterior work in historic districts
North Carolina historic tax credits: State credit available for certified rehabilitation

How to Submit Your Site Plan

Accela Portal

Submit through Charlotte's Accela portal at charlottenc.gov/development for electronic plan review.

In-Person

Walk-in at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 E. 4th Street.

Permit Fees and Timeline

Plan review and permit fees: Per fee schedule based on construction cost and project type
Timeline: Residential 10-15 business days. Commercial 20-30 business days. HLC review adds 30-60 days. Express residential permits available.

Creating Your Charlotte Site Plan with Site Plan Creator

Site Plan Creator makes it easy to generate a professional, permit-ready site plan for your Charlotte property. Simply enter your address, and the tool automatically loads your property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. You can then add setback lines, label structures, draw proposed construction, and export a scaled PDF ready for Development Center submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new Charlotte UDO?: Charlotte adopted the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) in 2023, replacing the previous Zoning Ordinance with a place-type based approach aligned with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Place types range from N1 (low-density neighborhood) to RAC (regional activity center). The UDO changed how setbacks, parking, and design standards work. Check Charlotte Explorer for your property's place type.
What are the typical residential setbacks under the UDO?: N1 place types require 20-30 foot front, 5-15 foot side, and 20-foot rear setbacks with 40% lot coverage. N2 allows 10-25 foot front and 0-10 foot side setbacks with 60% coverage. Activity Centers use build-to lines instead of traditional setbacks. Always check Charlotte Explorer at explore.charlottenc.gov for your specific place type.
What tree protection is required?: The Tree Ordinance requires a tree survey of all trees 8 inches+ DBH. Heritage trees (30 inches+ DBH) have the highest protection. Development must preserve minimum tree canopy percentages based on place type. Removed trees require replacement or Tree Canopy Fund payment. Protected tree removal requires a tree permit.
What stormwater management is required?: Projects disturbing 12,000+ sq ft need a stormwater plan addressing peak flow and water quality. 100-foot buffers are required along perennial streams, 50-foot along intermittent. Approved BMPs include wet detention, bioretention, sand filters, and constructed wetlands. Monthly Storm Water Services fees apply based on impervious surface.
What historic district requirements apply?: Charlotte has local historic districts (Fourth Ward, Dilworth, Wesley Heights, Plaza Midwood) requiring HLC Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior work. North Carolina state historic tax credits are available for certified rehabilitation. HLC review adds 30-60 days.
How do I submit plans to Charlotte?: Submit through Accela portal at charlottenc.gov/development for electronic plan review. Walk-in at 600 E. 4th Street. Residential permits take 10-15 business days. Express permits available for simple projects.
What are stream buffer requirements?: Charlotte-Mecklenburg requires 100-foot buffers along perennial streams and 50-foot buffers along intermittent streams. No development, grading, or clearing is permitted within stream buffers. Your site plan must show all streams and required buffer areas. These buffers can significantly limit buildable area on affected properties.
How long does Charlotte plan review take?: Residential plan review takes 10-15 business days. Express residential permits available. Commercial takes 20-30 business days. HLC historic review adds 30-60 days. Stormwater review is concurrent with building plan review.

How to Create a Site Plan in Charlotte

Look Up Your Property Information: Use Charlotte Explorer at explore.charlottenc.gov to find your place type, historic district status, stream buffers, and lot dimensions. Note your Mecklenburg County parcel ID.
Determine UDO Requirements: Identify your place type's setbacks, lot coverage, height limits, parking, and tree save requirements. Check for stream buffers, historic district status, and stormwater thresholds.
Create Your Site Plan: Enter your Charlotte address in Site Plan Creator to load property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. Add setback lines per UDO place type standards.
Include All Required Elements: Ensure your site plan includes boundaries, setbacks, lot coverage, impervious surface, tree survey with all trees 8 inches+, stream buffers, parking, stormwater features, and north arrow with scale.
Prepare Supporting Documents: Prepare tree survey and save calculation. Prepare stormwater management plan for regulated projects. For historic districts, prepare HLC application.
Submit Through Accela Portal: Upload plans through the Accela portal. Pay fees and track status. Submit HLC applications concurrently if in a historic district.
Manage Review and Obtain Permit: Respond to reviewer comments. Attend HLC meetings if required. Once approved, pay fees, receive permit, and schedule inspections.