Land Development Code

Iredell County is combining the ordinances pertaining to land development into a single document called the Land Development Code, or LDC, that will be more user-friendly and will incorporate the recommendations of the 2030 Horizon Plan.  The LDC will be reviewed by the planning board chapter by chapter over the next year.  Drafts of chapters will be posted here as they become available for review.

• Chapter 1:  General Provisions
  Planning Board meeting date: Feb 3 
  
• Chapter 17: Administration and Enforcement
  Planning Board meeting date: Feb 3 
• Chapter 18:  Non-conforming 
  Planning Board meeting date:  March 3
• Chapter 15:  Board of Adjustment
  Planning Board meeting date:  March 3
  

Chapter 1.  General and Legal Provisions
This chapter sets forth general and legal details which establish the purpose, jurisdiction and applicability of the ordinance, as well as its incorporated maps. Legal provisions are included to define how this ordinance interacts with local, state, and federal laws and details the replacement of the traditional “stand alone” ordinances with an LDC.
Chapter 2. How to Use this Ordinance
This chapter will explain how to use the ordinance.  The focus will be on how the regulations apply to various projects and where to look for the most frequently used standards.  The intent is to make using the ordinance as easy as possible.
Chapter 3. Zoning Districts
Establishes the zoning districts, very similar to the existing Zoning Ordinance.
Chapter 4. Special Requirements
Includes the special requirements that are associated with various uses, very similar to existing Zoning Ordinance.
Chapter 5. Overlay Districts
This is a new chapter that will include each of the overlay zoning districts that we have in place, as well as new ones.  We have also included the watersheds, flood zones, airport hazard zone as overlay districts that will be found on the comprehensive zoning map.
Chapter 6. General Development Standards
This chapter will be a “catch all” to include any requirements that do not fit into another chapter.
Chapter 7. Landscaping
Stand alone landscaping section that will generally deal with zoning issues only.
Chapter 8. Natural Resources Protection
Specific watershed, floodplain, and erosion standards will be located in this chapter.  Other issues including open space, greenways, or other related regulations would be found here as well.
Chapter 9. Signs
Stand alone sign section that will generally deal with zoning issues only.
Chapter 10. Parking
Stand alone parking section that will generally deal with zoning issues only.
Chapter 11. Infrastructure
Subjects such as wet detention ponds, road and sidewalk standards, and other issues dealing with the “built” environment will be located in this chapter.
Chapter 12. Development Plan and Permit Regulations
This article will explain the regulations that must be met to gain approval of the various permits, plans and plats required for the process of development.  Included in this section will be a list of the general regulations, the type of approval required, and the process for obtaining approval.  While this chapter details the regulations behind the development process, chapter 13 gives the specific technical requirements that must be shown and included on a permit, plan or plat.
Chapter 13. Development Plan and Permit Requirements
Partners with chapter 12 to explain what is required for inclusion on a permit, plan or plat.  This means specific information such as certifications, surveyor’s stamps, locations of buildings, etc.
Chapter 14. Map and Text Amendments
Explains how to go through a rezoning or text amendment.  This chapter will also include how to facilitate letters of map amendments for flood purposes.
Chapter 15. Board of Adjustment
Rules on how the Board handles variances to several ordinances, special use permits, interpretations, etc.
Chapter 16. Planning Board and Board of Commissioners
This chapter details the various responsibilities of the Planning Board and the way in which it goes about its duties.  The policies and procedures of the Board have been incorporated into this chapter of the ordinance. 
Chapter 17. Administration and Enforcement
This chapter details the various responsibilities of the Administrator of this ordinance, including enforcement.  The enforcement process is detailed and specifically outlined to ensure that implementation has a rational and equitable process to guarantee compliance.
Chapter 18. Nonconformities
Sets forth guidelines on how nonconforming situations will be handled.  This applies to all situations except Erosion Control.
Chapter 19. Definitions
Consolidates the definitions from each of the previously existing development ordinances.

 How Current Ordinances will be Reorganized into the LDC