Residential Urban (RU) Development Intensity

Sec. 6.4. Residential Urban (RU) Development Intensity

6.4.1. Development Standards

A. Dimensional Standards

1. All residential development Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. in the RU Districts shall meet the standards in the table below. For illustrations, lot dimensions, and required yards A space on the same lot with a building or group of buildings, which space lies between the building or group of buildings and the nearest lot line. for each housing type, see Sec. 7.1, Housing Types.

Dimensional Standard		RU-5		RU-5(2)		RU-M
Dimensional Standard		Min.	Max.	Min.	Max.	Min.	Max. without a Development Plan A type of plan that becomes part of the zoning of a property that establishes the level of development allowed absent further zoning action except as otherwise allowed or required under this Ordinance.	Max. with a Development Plan A type of plan that becomes part of the zoning of a property that establishes the level of development allowed absent further zoning action except as otherwise allowed or required under this Ordinance. (see paragraph 3.5.6)
Residential Density The number of dwelling units per gross acre, excluding accessory residences or dwelling units, or any other exclusion within this Ordinance. (units per acre)
	Project under Four Acres	—	8.0	—	8.0	—	12.0	40.0
	Project Four Acres or Greater	6.0	8.0	6.0	8.0	8.0	12.0	40.0
	Small Lot Option	—	12.0	—	12.0	—	12.0	40.0
	Open Space Areas of a development that allow for light, air, wildlife habitat, and for scenic and recreational use. Also included are areas designed to enhance the privacy or general appearance of a development. Private open space is open space that is owned by a corporation, individual, or house owners association. Public open space is open space owned by a governmental jurisdiction. (% of gross area)¹	5	—	5	—	6	—
	Area and Width Requirements	See Sec. 7.1, Housing Types
Height ²
	Stories The horizontal division of a building made up of the space between two successive floors, or a floor and the roof. A level that is principally above ground, and not below grade, nor below street level, or within roofline, tower, or a roof deck. (visual articulation An emphasis given to architectural elements (including windows, balconies, porches, entries, etc.) to create a complementary rhythm or pattern; or modulation of building façades, massing, and detail to create variety.)	—	3	—	3	—	5
	Feet		40		40		60
1 Please see Sec. 12.5, Recreation Lands, for additional requirements that may apply. 2 Height is, or may be, further limited when using the small lot option, the reduced pole width flag lot option, infill standards, a neighborhood protection overlay, or by a local historic district.

2. Maximum density The number of dwelling units per gross acre, excluding accessory residences or dwelling units, or any other exclusion within this Ordinance. can increase in accordance with paragraph 6.4.3, Residential Density The number of dwelling units per gross acre, excluding accessory residences or dwelling units, or any other exclusion within this Ordinance., and/or Sec. 6.6, Affordable Housing Bonus. Other than these options, the maximum density The number of dwelling units per gross acre, excluding accessory residences or dwelling units, or any other exclusion within this Ordinance. shall not be exceeded even though the use of an alternative housing type may impose smaller lot size requirements.

3. If the project in the RU-M District is on at least a four-acre lot, the maximum height can be increased up to 7 stories The horizontal division of a building made up of the space between two successive floors, or a floor and the roof. A level that is principally above ground, and not below grade, nor below street level, or within roofline, tower, or a roof deck. through the issuance of a minor special use permit. In no event shall the structure A walled or roofed constructed object that is principally above ground; vertical projections meeting the definition of antenna-supporting or wireless support structures; or, when used in reference to Sec. 8.4, Floodplain and Flood Damage Protection Standards, a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground. Included in this definition are extensions or additions which are covered by a roof supported by walls or columns, such as but not limited to porte cocheres, carports, covered or screened porches, and breezeways. be more than 80 feet in height.

6.4.2. Permitted Housing Types

Residential uses allowed pursuant to Sec. 5.1, Use Table, shall be limited to the housing types permitted in accordance with the following table. For illustrations, lot dimensions, and required yards A space on the same lot with a building or group of buildings, which space lies between the building or group of buildings and the nearest lot line. for each housing type, see Sec. 7.1, Housing Types.

Housing Type	RU-5	RU-5(2)	RU-M
Single-Family A residential use consisting of one dwelling unit per lot of record. As described in Sec. 7.1, Housing Types, includes: single-family detached house; zero lot line house; traditional house; or attached house. Not to include manufactured housing. Detached	✔	✔	✔
Zero Lot Line A detached dwelling unit positioned on one property line without any setback. House	✔	✔	✔
Traditional House	✔	✔	✔
Attached House	✔	✔	✔
Duplex	✔	✔	✔
Townhouse A building made up of three or more attached dwelling units (except when otherwise allowed) where each unit is on an individual lot and the units are lined up in a row and share side walls.	✔^1,2	✔	✔
Detached Rowhouse	✔^1,2	✔	✔
Multiplex	✔²	✔²	✔
Apartment			✔
1 Cluster subdivision All divisions of a tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, building sites, or other divisions for the purpose of sale or building development (whether immediate or future) or any division of land involving the dedication of a new street or a change in existing streets. only, see Sec. 6.7. 2 Only pursuant to paragraph 6.4.3B, Thoroughfare Density The number of dwelling units per gross acre, excluding accessory residences or dwelling units, or any other exclusion within this Ordinance. Bonus.

6.4.3. Residential Density

A. Major Roadway Density Bonus Area

For projects located adjacent Property abutting directly on the boundary of, touching, or sharing a common point. to streets with a right-of-way A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription or condemnation and intended to be occupied by a street, trail, rail corridor, or public utility. over 50 feet in width, the area for the project may be calculated to include that portion of right-of-way A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription or condemnation and intended to be occupied by a street, trail, rail corridor, or public utility. in excess of 50 feet for purposes of determining density The number of dwelling units per gross acre, excluding accessory residences or dwelling units, or any other exclusion within this Ordinance..

Sample Calculation: A project includes recombination of three lots measuring 75 by 100 feet, and lies adjacent Property abutting directly on the boundary of, touching, or sharing a common point. to a right-of-way A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription or condemnation and intended to be occupied by a street, trail, rail corridor, or public utility. measuring 80 feet in width.

75 x 100 = 7,500 SF x 3 existing lots = 17,500 SF (standard calculation)

Frontage of 225 feet x 30 feet (in excess of 50-foot ROW) = 6,750 SF Bonus Area

Density The number of dwelling units per gross acre, excluding accessory residences or dwelling units, or any other exclusion within this Ordinance. Allocation = 24,250 SF (.56 ac.) multiplied by 7.4 units per acre = 4.1 units (4 lots)

B. Thoroughfare Density Bonus

1. Projects located along major or minor thoroughfares, or boulevards, with rights-of-way greater than 50 feet in width can develop Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. as townhouses A building made up of three or more attached dwelling units (except when otherwise allowed) where each unit is on an individual lot and the units are lined up in a row and share side walls. or detached rowhouses, using the dimensional provisions of paragraph 7.1.7, Townhouse, or 7.1.8, Detached Rowhouse, as applicable, so long as the average width of the townhouse A building made up of three or more attached dwelling units (except when otherwise allowed) where each unit is on an individual lot and the units are lined up in a row and share side walls. or detached rowhouse lots is at least 20 feet. Projects developed Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. utilizing this option shall meet all of the requirements of Sec. 6.8, Infill Development in Residential Districts, where applicable;

2. Projects located along major thoroughfares or boulevards, with rights-of-way greater than 50 feet in width can develop Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. as multiplexes, using the dimensional provisions of paragraph 7.1.9, Multiplex. Projects developed Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. utilizing this option shall meet all of the requirements of Sec. 6.8, Infill Development in Residential Districts, where applicable.

C. Lot Averaging

Lot area The total area within the lot lines of a platted lot. averaging, as more specifically set forth in Sec. 7.1, Housing Types, is permitted, provided that:

1. The maximum reduction allowed is 15% of the minimum lot area The total area within the lot lines of a platted lot.;

2. The average area of all lots in the subdivision All divisions of a tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, building sites, or other divisions for the purpose of sale or building development (whether immediate or future) or any division of land involving the dedication of a new street or a change in existing streets. meets or exceeds the minimum lot area The total area within the lot lines of a platted lot.; and

3. The overall density The number of dwelling units per gross acre, excluding accessory residences or dwelling units, or any other exclusion within this Ordinance. of the subdivision All divisions of a tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, building sites, or other divisions for the purpose of sale or building development (whether immediate or future) or any division of land involving the dedication of a new street or a change in existing streets. does not exceed the maximum permitted residential density The number of dwelling units per gross acre, excluding accessory residences or dwelling units, or any other exclusion within this Ordinance..

D. Application of Density Requirements for Single-Family and Two-Family Development

For single-family A residential use consisting of one dwelling unit per lot of record. As described in Sec. 7.1, Housing Types, includes: single-family detached house; zero lot line house; traditional house; or attached house. Not to include manufactured housing. and two-family A residential use consisting of two individual dwelling units on a single lot of record. This definition does not include a single-family dwelling with an accessory dwelling unit. developments Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land., the density The number of dwelling units per gross acre, excluding accessory residences or dwelling units, or any other exclusion within this Ordinance. requirements in paragraph 6.4.1A, Dimensional Standards, do not apply if the project does not require subdivision All divisions of a tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, building sites, or other divisions for the purpose of sale or building development (whether immediate or future) or any division of land involving the dedication of a new street or a change in existing streets. or site plan An accurately scaled development plan that shows existing conditions on a site as well as depicting details of proposed development. approval.