Permits

Land Development

Charlotte continues to grow rapidly as the hub of the metropolitan region. To meet the quality of life challenges of this growth, the Charlotte City Council adopted the Transportation Action Plan (TAP)to support the City's Centers and Corridors Growth Strategy. CDOT's role is to implement the plans and policies adopted by City Council in a way that integrates transportation and land use planning, provides transportation choices, promotes quality urban design, and promotes good access management. CDOT accomplishes this through the City's land development programs.

This page provides resources for rezoning and permitting development teams.

Section Links

Traffic Impact Studies

CDOT's evaluation of proposed developments includes consideration of the transportation network connectivity, circulation, operations, safety, multi-modal accommodation, compliance with adopted transportation plans and policies, compatibility with other projects, and access management. Traffic Impact Studies (TIS) are a tool used to evaluate a proposed development's impacts on the transportation system operations and safety. While typically used to evaluate rezoning petitions, a traffic impact study may be requested by CDOT to help evaluate by-right development as well.

Process and Guidelines

TIS Scoping Document

Developer Signal Improvement

When a development needs a new signal or modifications to an existing signal the Developer must enter into a Signal Improvement Agreement with the City prior to the approval of the roadway/intersection construction plans and permits for the land development project. This Agreement constitutes a commitment by the Developer to make payment to the City for the City's design, purchase, installation, signal equipment/pole relocation, and other related costs of the Signal Improvements needed for the land development project.

Developer Signal Improvement Process

Template Development Signal Agreement

Base Map Requirements for Traffic Signal Design Requests (CAD file requirements)

Residential Decorative Signs/Signposts

CDOT has developed an amended right-of-way encroachment process for requests to install decorative signposts in the public right-of-way on residential streets. This amended process is only available for decorative sign post installations on City maintained streets and not on ETJ/NCDOT maintained streets. An Agreement between the City and the Residential Developer is required for purposes of establishing maintenance responsibilities, liability and holding the City harmless in the event of an accident or damage resulting from the encroachment. There is no cost for this amended encroachment agreement process and it will be administered through our Public Service Division. (Note that requests will not be reviewed through the land development/subdivision site plan review process.)

Driveway Manual (Draft)

The Charlotte Department of Transportation regulates new and modified access to all public streets in Charlotte in accordance with the Driveway Regulations established under the authority of the Transportation Director. A draft manual is available that reflects current City Council policies that relate to street design and land use. There will be no formal public hearings or actions by City Council on this update. Comments may be submitted to Robyn Byers.

Land Development FAQs

What is the criteria for an express review?

Land Development offers an enhanced review process and an expedited review process.

Flashing yellow arrow operation - LT protected only during certain time

This will be noted in the signal timings provided by CDOT. If the following special function bits are checked in an Event Plan, the corresponding phase is protected only for that event plan if that phase is an FYA. SF 5 - Phase 1, SF 6 - Phase 3, SF 7 - Phase 5, SF 8 - Phase 7.

NCDOT parameters or CDOT TIS - CDOT to adopt NCDOT

CDOT and NCDOT Recommended Practices for TIAs.pdf

City standards in ETJ vs NCDOT

City Ordinances are still enforced through the review process in the ETJ and on state maintained street network.

How do I know if I'm required to submit a driveway permit?

Please refer to the CDOT Driveway Manual.

Where do I put the curb and gutter?

CDOT is responsible for determining where the future curbline is placed during the rezoning and construction permitting process. CDOT relies on information from future roadway improvements planned for the area, area plans, CPTPO right-of-way requirements, etc.