Permits

​CDOT Petition Process

This policy governs treatments that support petition driven initiatives within the Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT). This policy only applies to local residential streets and major collectors.

Treatments for initiatives may be implemented, altered, or eliminated as follows:

  • Public Safety: CDOT may unilaterally implement treatments when CDOT finds that there are public health, safety or welfare reasons that justify doing so.

  • Neighborhood Programs' Petition: Petition-driven neighborhood street treatments may be in​stituted by petition if there is a public justification for the treatment. Such justifications include, but are not limited to speeding, cut-through traffic and street lighting.

If CDOT determines that there is a public justification for proposed treatments, CDOT may authorize a petition process to determine whether there is sufficient neighborhood support for the proposal. The petition may be issued to the resident(s) who wishes to circulate the petition. The petition shall:

  • state the public purpose that justifies the proposed change

  • clearly describe the nature and location of the proposed treatments

  • contain the signature of the CDOT employee who authorized the petition

To invoke the proposed change, an adequate petition must be returned to CDOT within 90 days from the date that the petition was issued or by due date provided by CDOT.

To be adequate, a petition must contain the affirmative signatures of all owners of at least 60% of the parcels that CDOT has identified in the impact area, including corner properties that may border another street that intersects with the proposed treated street, and have a different street in their address.

To be adequate, a petition must contain the affirmative signatures of all owners of at least 60% of the parcels that CDOT has identified in the impact area, including corner properties that may border another street that intersects with the proposed treated street and has a different street in their address.

If a petition is deemed inadequate but falls within the 90 days allowed for the petition or prior to the due date issued by CDOT, then the petition shall be returned to the lead petitioner for gathering additional signatures. If those signatures are not secured within the original 90-day petitioning period or by the due date issued by CDOT, then the petition is considered inadequate.

Treatments implemented through the petitioning process cannot be changed again pursuant to another petition for six (6) months from the date of the previous implementation.

​Any person who has signed a petition that is determined to be inadequate may appeal within thirty days of the determination by filing a written notice of appeal with CDOT.

Any owner or tenant of property abutting a street that is affected by the proposed treatment, or any other person reasonably affected by the change may appeal by filing a written notice of appeal with CDOT within 30 days from receipt of notification. Implementation will be delayed if an appeal is filed.

Appeals will be heard through a quasi-judicial proceeding before the Department of Transportation Director or Deputy Director, or a hearing officer designated by the Department of Transportation Director or Deputy Director.

The only issues that may be raised on appeal are: (1) whether there is a public justification for the change, and (2) whether the petition is adequate.

A decision on appeal shall be subject to review by proceedings in the nature of certiorari instituted in the Superior Court of Mecklenburg County within thirty days. A certiorari appeal shall not automatically stay implementation of any proposed treatments.

​Petitions should be returned to:

Charlotte Department of Transportation
600 East Fourth Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

CDOT reserves the right to petition residents separately should disputes occur that question the petition's validity and neighborhood consensus for the proposed treatment.

Please call 704-336-7527 with any questions.