What is a unified Development Ordinance (UDO)? 

The proposed Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) will guide how land is used and developed throughout our community. The UDO will combine the City’s development rules into a single, user-friendly document that is easy to read, understand, and apply. Clear illustrations and graphics will help make the permitting and development process easier to navigate for all residents.

The UDO will replace the City’s existing zoning and subdivision regulations, along with current street regulations, to help make neighborhoods more livable, support responsible and resilient growth, expand economic opportunities, and make it easier and safer for people to move around and stay connected. Near the end of the process, most properties in the City are expected to be rezoned to the new zoning districts established by the UDO.

Below to the left is an example of the text of the City’s current Zoning Regulations.  To the right is an example of how a UDO could include graphics and text to illustrate zoning requirements.

Picture that showcases evolution of current City of North Charleston regulations to new UDO

A zoning map divides the City into zoning districts, shown in different colors to indicate where homes, businesses, industries, and other uses may be located.

Together, zoning regulations and the zoning map help shape how neighborhoods look, grow, and function over time.

In the City of North Charleston, the current zoning regulations are located in Appendix A of the City Code.

Some examples of what zoning can impact are: 

  • Does this community allow a range of housing options?
  • Can I build a rental unit in my backyard for extra income?
  • How tall can my fence be?
  • What are the parking and signage requirements for this retail space?

Zoning is a set of rules that determines what can be built on a property and where different types of development and businesses may be located within a City. Zoning districts are shown on a map using different colors, with each district having its own set of rules and regulations. In the City of North Charleston, the current zoning regulations are found in Appendix A of the City Code.

Zoning helps answer questions such as:

  • How tall can my fence be?
  • Can I build a rental unit in my backyard for extra income?
  • Does this community allow a range of housing options?
  • What are the parking and signage requirements for this retail space?

Zoning districts determine which uses are allowed in different areas of the City. They may separate residential, commercial, industrial, and civic uses into different districts and may also distinguish between different types of housing.

Some people refer to the specific area in which they live as their neighborhood or community, while others might call that area their subdivision.  A subdivision in this sense is a group of properties that were created from a larger property – by the process known as subdivision of property. 

Subdivision regulations are the city’s rules for how land is organized into lots, blocks, and neighborhoods (meaning, how property is subdivided) and includes the relationship between private property, public streets, and sidewalks. In the City of North Charleston, the current subdivision requirements are found in Chapter 18 of the City Code. 

It has been more than 50 years since the City adopted its original zoning regulations. Although the zoning and subdivision rules have been amended over time, some of the requirements remain confusing or do not work well together. The current regulations were not designed to address many of the challenges and opportunities associated with the growth and development occurring today.

North Charleston is expected to experience significant growth over the next 25 years. The greater Charleston region is projected to add 270,654 new residents (in approximately 102,000 new households) and 140,000 new jobs between 2025 and 2045. Approximately half of those new residents are expected to relocate to Charleston County or Dorchester County, with many likely choosing North Charleston because of its central location and relative affordability. 

The UDO is not responsible for this growth, and it cannot prevent it. However, it can provide the City with the tools to guide growth in a way that benefits current and future residents alike. The goal is to ensure that future growth strengthens, not strains, the community.

The UDO will help implement the City’s long-term vision by establishing clear rules for how and where development occurs. It will support transit-oriented development along key corridors, encourage a broader range of housing options, and promote pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods and commercial areas. The UDO can also guide growth and investments in housing, transportation, economic development, and environmental stewardship.

For example, the UDO will encourage:

  • More housing options, including single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes, and other housing types (sometimes referred to as “missing middle housing“).
  • Well-designed buildings and welcoming public places.
  • More walkable and bikeable streets.
  • Healthy, thriving neighborhoods.
  • Economic growth through community-led development that supports local ownership and entrepreneurship.
  • Clearer rules so community members can more easily understand what new development may look like.

While the UDO cannot solve every challenge on its own, it can help ensure that North Charleston is prepared for growth and has the tools needed to shape a stronger, more resilient future. 

The UDO is intended to provide:

  • A clearer rulebook for land use and development.
  • A streamlined development review process.
  • A wider range of housing options.
  • Guardrails for neighborhood character and natural resources.
  • The UDO will not control broader economic conditions
  • The UDO will not create new streets by itself
  • The UDO will not determine whether new development occurs
  • The UDO will not create housing on its own
  • The UDO will not fix existing development issues immediately – but will provide clearer rules for better development through time

The city is preparing for growth while creating a stronger, more inclusive future. We are doing the generational work of rewriting the rulebook on how our city grows and improving roadways and sidewalks. The UDO builds upon the city’s PRIME North Charleston Comprehensive Plan and will align with other significant ongoing projects such as Lowcountry Rapid Transit and the Safe Streets for All initiatives. These large-scale planning efforts ensure that growth strengthens our quality of life instead of straining it.

Map showcasing the various cross projects by the City of North Charleston.

Yes. Many communities across the country have adopted UDOs or similar development codes to modernize their rules and regulations and better align them with community goals. Examples include: 

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  • To schedule a one-on-one conversation or invite the project team to a community meeting or event, contact Eileen Duffy, Project Manager, at 843-740-2578 or email [email protected]. 

Missing middle housing (MMH) refers to a range of multi-unit housing types that fill the gap between single-family homes and large apartment buildings. Examples include duplexes, triplexes, multiplexes, townhouses, cottage courts, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), such as backyard units or “granny flats”.

This type of housing is often considered “missing” because many of these housing options are not allowed in single-family zoning districts. Even in older neighborhoods, where duplexes, townhouses, and small apartment buildings may exist alongside single-family homes, current zoning regulations may no longer permit these housing types to be built today.

A recent study highlighted the growing need for missing-middle housing in the Charleston region as the area’s population continues to grow. Missing middle housing can support more diverse and affordable housing options while helping maintain the character and scale of existing neighborhoods. 

The Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) will not override active restrictive covenants and/or  the rules or authority of existing homeowners’ associations (HOAs). HOAs are private organizations that enforce neighborhood-specific covenants, restrictions, and design standards. Restrictive covenants are private legal agreements, rather than zoning tools; thus, they will not be changed by the City’s adoption of the UDO.

The City intends to evaluate existing Planned Development Districts (PDDs) as part of the UDO process. Where appropriate, PDDs may be proposed for rezoning into one of the new base zoning districts if they are substantially similar. However, some PDDs may retain their previously-approved unique standards. The City will work carefully to ensure that any transition is transparent and reflects the original intent of the development.  Note that many PDDs are subject to restrictive covenants as well (see above).

The UDO is a collaborative effort involving the consultant team, City staff, community members, the UDO Advisory Group, the Planning Commission, and City Council. Each group plays a different role in shaping the final ordinance.

The consultant team is responsible for analyzing existing regulations, developing technical recommendations, and drafting the UDO in accordance with the City’s policy objectives. The consultant team also helps facilitate community engagement, ensures the UDO complies with applicable state and federal laws, and translates community input and policy direction into clear, effective, and legally defensible development rules.

City staff draw on their technical expertise and institutional knowledge to provide policy guidance throughout the process. Staff work closely with the consultant team, support community engagement, review and provide feedback on draft materials, and help ensure that the UDO aligns with the City’s plans, goals, and operations.

Community members help inform the direction of the UDO by participating in public meetings, workshops, and other engagement activities. Community feedback helps identify priorities, concerns, and opportunities that should be addressed in the new development rules. North Charleston residents, business owners, property owners, developers, neighborhood leaders, and other interested stakeholders all have a role to play in shaping the future of the City. Because zoning affects every neighborhood and community, public participation is essential to ensuring the new development rules reflect local priorities and aspirations.

The UDO Advisory Group is comprised of 14 members representing a range of perspectives, including those familiar with design and development processes and those with knowledge of local dynamics and community priorities.  This group will provide feedback and serve as a sounding board for ideas during the development of the UDO.

The City’s Planning Commission will review the proposed UDO, consider public input, and ultimately make a recommendation to City Council regarding the proposed adoption of the UDO.

City Council provides policy direction to the project and serves as the final decision-making body. City Council will review recommendations, consider public input, and ultimately vote on whether to adopt the UDO following the final public review process.

Together, these stakeholders help ensure that the UDO reflects community priorities, advances the City’s long-term vision, and provides clear, predictable, and effective development rules to guide future growth and development.

Not necessarily. The UDO will include provisions for a transition period to ensure a smooth implementation process.

During this transition period, some development applications that were submitted under the existing zoning and subdivision regulations may continue to be reviewed using those regulations. (Applicants may, however, request to be reviewed under the newly adopted UDO regulations immediately.)  At the same time, the City will prepare for the full implementation of the UDO, including updating application materials and other supporting documents.

Once the transition period is complete, the UDO will become the primary set of rules used to review and approve future development projects. The City will provide clear guidance regarding when the new development rules take effect and how pending applications will be handled.

In most cases, you will not have to close or relocate your business because of the new UDO. Businesses that were legally established and permitted or licensed before the new regulations take effect will generally be allowed to continue operating, even if that use is no longer permitted in the new zoning district. These are called nonconforming uses. 

Similarly, buildings and structures that were legally constructed but do not meet one or more of the new development rules will generally be allowed to remain. These are called nonconforming structures. 

Most existing properties will only need to comply with the new development rules if they are redeveloped, significantly expanded, or converted to a different use. The UDO will also include regulations governing if or how nonconforming uses and structures may be expanded, rebuilt, or reestablished if they are discontinued for a specified  period. Similar regulations already exist in the City’s current Zoning Regulations (Section 4 – 5), and it is anticipated that the UDO will update and carry those protections forward.

The UDO will shape what can be built in your neighborhood and nearby areas, from homes and businesses to streets and public spaces. It will update development rules to make them easier to understand and apply, while supporting well-designed neighborhoods, safer and more walkable streets, and a better mix of places to live, work, shop, and gather. Over time, these changes are intended to improve everyday convenience, reduce unnecessary travel, and create a more connected and livable city.