Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in North Carolina (2026)
26 rules on the books across North Carolina, 17 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Specific Plans Overview
How specific plans (LA has 35+) layer on top of underlying zoning to set neighborhood-tailored rules for height, density, design, and use.
Density Bonus Law
California Density Bonus Law (Gov Code §65915) and local implementations granting up to 50% density bonuses for affordable-housing projects.
Rose Hill
Significant RestrictionsRose Hill's Zoning Code allows density credits, sometimes called severable development rights, for developers who…
Read full rule →Rowan County
Significant RestrictionsIn unincorporated Rowan County, a density averaging permit under the Board of Commissioners' zoning ordinance lets a…
Read full rule →Asheville
Some RestrictionsAsheville lets a qualifying sustainable development project add density above the base zoning allowed by right under…
Read full rule →Brunswick County
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County's Unified Development Ordinance lets residential projects of 15 or more units in the unincorporated…
Read full rule →Cary
Some RestrictionsThe Town of Cary's Conservation Residential Overlay lets developments exceed the lot count allowed by underlying zoning…
Read full rule →Chapel Hill
Some RestrictionsThe Chapel Hill Land Use Management Ordinance ties a density bonus to its inclusionary zoning program in Section…
Read full rule →Charlotte
Some RestrictionsCharlotte lets developers in 21 zoning districts trade points earned from affordable housing, EV charging, green…
Read full rule →Durham
Some RestrictionsDurham's Unified Development Ordinance lets residential projects add units above the base zoning cap by setting aside…
Read full rule →Greenville
Some RestrictionsGreenville's Board of Adjustment can approve a residential density bonus up to 200% over a master plan community's base…
Read full rule →High Point
Some RestrictionsHigh Point, North Carolina grants developers up to 2 extra dwelling units per acre in the Core City, or 1 outside it…
Read full rule →Kill Devil Hills
Some RestrictionsIn the Town of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, a Planned Unit Development starts at ten units per acre under §…
Read full rule →Raleigh
Some RestrictionsUnder Raleigh's Frequent Transit Development Option, a residential project can exceed the standard 12-unit cap for that…
Read full rule →Concord
Light RestrictionsConcord's Development Ordinance grants a density bonus of 10% more lots, or one additional lot, whichever is greater…
Read full rule →Fayetteville
Light RestrictionsThe City Manager can grant extra residential density above a project's normal zoning maximum when a developer…
Read full rule →Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC)
LA's TOC tier system (Measure JJJ) granting density and parking incentives near major transit, including affordability set-aside ratios per tier.
Downtown Design Guide
LA's Downtown Design Guide and Community Plan governing high-rise massing, ground-floor activation, and adaptive-reuse standards in DTLA.
Apex
Significant RestrictionsApex's Small Town Character Overlay District imposes mandatory building placement, massing, and façade standards on new…
Read full rule →Asheville
Significant RestrictionsAsheville requires design review before construction, rehabilitation, signage, exterior illumination, fences, walls, or…
Read full rule →Greensboro
Significant RestrictionsGreensboro's Downtown Design Overlay (DDO) district, created by Ordinance 10-133 on September 7, 2010, requires every…
Read full rule →Cary
Some RestrictionsNew development in the Town of Cary's Town Center district must meet design standards in the Community Appearance…
Read full rule →Chapel Hill
Some RestrictionsIn the Town of Chapel Hill's Town Center (TC-1, TC-2, TC-3) zoning districts, the Land Use Management Ordinance directs…
Read full rule →Charlotte
Some RestrictionsCharlotte's Unified Development Ordinance sets fixed sidewalk, amenity zone, paver, lighting and curb standards for…
Read full rule →Concord
Some RestrictionsDowntown Concord's Center City (CC) District requires new and renovated buildings to use brick or brick-colored walls…
Read full rule →Durham
Some RestrictionsDurham's Downtown Design (DD) District regulates building form, not just use, across the city's Downtown Tier under UDO…
Read full rule →Fayetteville
Some RestrictionsFayetteville's Downtown 1 and Downtown 2 zoning districts set mandatory design rules for new buildings: minimum…
Read full rule →Mebane
Light RestrictionsIn the City of Mebane, North Carolina, the Unified Development Ordinance lets the City Council waive standard…
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