6.1 PURPOSE

1. CG General Commercial Zoning District
   The CG General Commercial Zoning District is intended to accommodate areas of general commercial development in the City, typically located at key intersections or organized along arterial streets. Commercial areas within the CG Zoning District accommodate automobile access and the standards for the zoning district acknowledge this auto-orientation while encouraging improvement of the pedestrian environment and accommodation of alternate modal choices within the zoning district.
2. CR Regional Commercial Zoning District
   The CR Regional Commercial Zoning District is intended for areas of large-scale and/or regionally significant commercial uses. Such uses may constitute a coordinated cluster of commercial uses or a single large-scale commercial use of regional significance. The zoning district regulations ensure that proper controls are in place to create compatibility with neighboring uses and create safe circulation patterns.

6.2 USES

Article 15 lists permitted, temporary, and accessory uses for the Commercial Zoning Districts. Use definitions are found in Article 15. Prescribed conditions applicable to certain principal uses, temporary uses, and accessory uses are also found in Article 15.

6.3 DIMENSIONAL AND DESIGN STANDARDS

1. General
   1. The tables below include the dimensional and design standards for the Commercial Zoning Districts. Standards within the tables below may contain specific regulations organized by frontage type (Section 3.5).
   2. Where this Ordinance refers to frontages in general, transit station, off-street public path, public park shall not be considered a frontage within the Commercial Zoning Districts.
   3. In the tables below, where a cell contains a standard or a “✔” the standard is applicable. Where a cell is blank and shaded, the standard does not apply.
2. Lot
   Lot standards govern the basic dimensions of lots, including but not limited to minimum area, width, and coverage as applicable. These standards are intended to provide a rational basis for the division, organization, and development of land within the City of Charlotte.

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Table 6-1: Commercial Zoning Districts Lot Standards ¹

3. Building Siting
   Building siting standards govern the placement of buildings on lots, and are intended to ensure that development maintains compatibility with its surrounding context and the intent of the applicable zoning district.

Table 6-2: Commercial Zoning Districts Building Siting Standards

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4. Building Height
   Building height standards govern the maximum heights of buildings as applicable, and are intended to provide flexibility while maintaining appropriate transitions to adjacent areas.

Table 6-3: Commercial Zoning Districts Building Height Standards

5. Building Articulation
   Building articulation standards govern the dimensions of building facade elements and entry features and are intended to facilitate the enhancement of a pedestrian-oriented environment.

Table 6-4: Commercial Zoning Districts Building Articulation Standards

6. Transparency
   Transparency standards govern the required amount of ground floor and upper floor transparency, and are intended to facilitate the enhancement of a pedestrian-oriented environment.

Table 6-5: Commercial Zoning Districts Transparency Standards

7. Building Design Standards
   Design standards govern the fundamental elements of building design, and are intended to encourage the creation of a built environment that is aesthetically and functionally of a high-quality.

Table 6-6: Commercial Zoning Districts Building Design Standards

8. Building Materials
   The following building materials are limited to 25% of each façade along a frontage. They may also be used as a component of construction when not a surface finish material without limitation.
   1. Corrugated metal siding; however, the reuse of pre-fabricated shipping containers is permitted and is not subject to this limitation, subject to compliance with the building code and other applicable codes
   2. Plain concrete masonry units (CMU)
   3. Plastic
   4. T-111 composite plywood siding
   5. Vinyl

6.4 OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENTS

1. New construction of a principal building and expansion of a principal building by 5,000 square feet or 20% of the building area, whichever is less, is required to provide on-site open space, except for development on sites of one-half acre or less in size.
2. The design of open space shall meet the design requirements of Section 16.5.
3. Development shall provide a minimum of on-site open space as follows:

Table 6-7: Required Open Space

4. Residential on-site open space may be provided as land dedicated to Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, a fee-in-lieu provided to Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, or a combination thereof in accordance with the requirements of Section 16.5.
5. Nonresidential and mixed-use on-site open space may be provided as land dedicated to Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, a fee-in-lieu provided to Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, or a combination thereof in accordance with the requirements of Section 16.5.

6.5 ON-SITE PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIVITY REQUIREMENTS

Standards for required on-site pedestrian connectivity are found in Section 16.6.

6.6 SUPPLEMENTAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

1. General Development Standards
   General development standards are found in Article 16.
2. Accessory Structures
   Standards for accessory structures are found in Article 17.
3. Architectural Features
   Standards for architectural features are found in Article 18.
4. Off-Street Parking
   Standards for off-street parking and bicycle parking are found in Article 19.
5. Landscaping and Screening
   Landscaping and screening standards are found in Article 20.
6. Loading and Service
   Standards for loading spaces and service areas are found in Article 21.
7. Signs
   Standards for signs are found in Article 22.
8. Drainage
   Standards for drainage are found in Article 24.