PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Contact Information
Welcome to our contact page, where you can find information about reaching the department or individual staff members. Please note: The quickest way to schedule an appointment is by email or phone. If you leave a voicemail, we’ll be sure to return your call within 24 hours.
- Email: planning@townofdavidson.org. For general inquiries this is the quickest way to get an answer to your question. Questions received are routed to the staff member best equipped to respond with the information you need.
- Phone: 704-892-7592. Please be sure to leave a voicemail - this is the quickest way to get an answer to a question via phone.
- Mailing Address: 216 S. Main Street, P.O. Box 579, Davidson, NC 28036.
- Staff Directory: For contact information for each individual please see the Staff Directory
Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of our most frequently asked questions, responses, and links to resources.
- 1. Do I need an appointment to meet with a planner? Yes, appointments are preferred. Please call (704 892-7592) or email (planning@townofdavidson.org) the Planning Department to schedule an appointment.
- 2. What is the zoning (planning area) of my property? The Town of Davidson planning ordinance categorizes properties into planning areas. You may locate your property on the Davidson Planning Ordinance map and use the legend to determine the planning area for your property.
- 3. What types of permits are required? There are several types of permits required by the Town of Davidson. They are:
- 4. How do I get a permit reviewed? Permit applications may be picked up at Davidson Town Hall, 216 South Main Street, or downloaded from the permit webpage. You may submit a permit either by bringing it to town hall or using the online permit submittal form. Town planners will review the permit application for compliance with the Town of Davidson Planning Ordinance. Upon approval and payment of the fee, the applicant must submit the permit to Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency for their review.
- 5. How much does a building/sign permit cost? Fees associated with building and sign permits vary depending on the nature of the project. For more information on planning fees, please see our Fee Schedule.
- 6. How can I develop my property? The Town of Davidson does not generally use density limits or standard setback requirements. Instead, we encourage designers and developers to consider the surrounding context and creatively address the constraints and opportunities on a site by site basis. Sections two and four of the Davidson Planning Ordinance provide a list of permitted uses and site design regulations per planning area. Refer to these sections first, and then contact a planner to set up an appointment to discuss your property further.
- 7. How do I determine the permitted uses for my property? The description of each planning area and its permitted uses is outlined in section two of the Davidson planning ordinance. You may view section two and associated amendments in the Planning Ordinance. Refer to this section first, and then contact a planner to set up an appointment to discuss your property further.
- 8. What are the minimum required setbacks from my property line? Design regulations, including building types, minimum required setbacks, and height restrictions are outlined in section two of the planning ordinance. Additional uses and regulations, including accessory structures, are described in section four of the planning ordinance. You may view sections four and two and their associated amendments at Planning Ordinance. If you have additional questions, please make an appointment to meet with a member of the planning department staff.
Quick Links
Below is a list of links to various websites that may be useful in understanding the town’s approach to planning and its requirements. The list also includes various resources and organizations related to planning and development.
- American Planning Association North Carolina Chapter
- American Planning Association
- Centralina Council of Governments
- Charlotte Area Transit System
- Charlotte Mecklenburg Storm Water Services
- Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities
- Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO)
- Small Commercial Plan Review
- Continuum
- Davidson Housing Coalition
- Davidson Lands Conservancy
- Duke Energy
- Energy United
- Historic Landmarks Commission
- Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement
- Mecklenburg County Land Use & Environmental Services (LUESA)
- Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation
- New Urbanism
- North Carolina Department of Transportation
- PSNC Energy
- Polaris for Mecklenburg County
- Code Info & Resource Center (CIRC)-Residential
- Scenic Byways
- U.S. Census Bureau Fact Finder
Welcome
Welcome to the Planning Department homepage. By clicking on the tabs at the top of this page you can find updates about the work underway, how to contact us, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions. On the left side of this page is a list of relevant and major topics related to the department’s work. This includes the tools needed to: File a building permit (Submit a Permit); research a parcel or project (Maps & GIS, Planning Ordinance, Development Projects); or, understand our town’s approach to planning and development (Planning Principles).
Davidson’s traditional character is that of a small town, so land planning will reflect its historic patterns of village-centered growth, with connection of neighborhoods, preservation of rural areas, and provision of public spaces. Our quality of life is enhanced through the Town’s Planning Principles, the Davidson Planning Ordinance, and by assessing town needs through plans, reports, and studies.
Planning Department Updates
November 2022
Below you’ll find a list and short description of things that we’re working on, along with how to find additional information about each topic. We hope you find this information useful. If you want to follow up with us about any questions you may have, please do so – our contact information is available on our department’s homepage. Check back from time to time for updates.
- Town of Davidson Planning Department
1. Historic Preservation Update
Historic Preservation Plan:
The Town of Davidson’s full Historic Preservation Plan has just been released for public review. This important document will provide a “roadmap” for historic preservation in Davidson for the next 10-15 years. Read the full plan here Version OptionsPLANNING DEPARTMENTContact InformationFrequently Asked QuestionsQuick LinksHeadlineWelcomePlanning Department Updates. Community input has been an important part of the process throughout the creation of the Historic Preservation Plan. Beginning November 2, residents are invited to provide public comment on the plan by emailing historicpreservation@townofdavidson.org.
The Town of Davidson will also host a public input session at Town Hall at 216 S. Main Street on Wednesday, November 9 from 5-7 pm. Attendees can expect a brief presentation at 5 pm, followed immediately by a Q&A session. The presentation will repeat at 6 pm, followed again by another Q&A session. Comments on the plan will also be collected at this event. There will be a public hearing for the Historic Preservation Plan during the board of commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday, November 15th at 6 pm. Community members are invited to sign up to speak for no more than three minutes each as part of the public hearing. The public comment period will end following the hearing on November 15, 2022. For questions and more information, please contact historicpreservation@townofdavidson.org.
2. Development Project Updates
Hoke Master Plan: The project continues with construction. Stormwater structures are slated for installation in November 2022. The project team is currently working to finalize the park/open space plans based on public engagement conducted in September 2021. Additionally, in accordance with the approved plan, the project is pursuing annexation for the portion of Catawba Ave. along the project's street frontage. This is so that the required street improvements can be made by the developer and maintained by the Town of Davidson. For more information, please see the project webpage.
Summit Farms Conditional Master Plan: At the Davidson Board of Commissioners meeting on October 25, 2022, the project team representing Summit Farms, LLC, discussed with commissioners a proposed conditional master plan located at the southeastern corner of the intersection of East Rocky River and Shearer Roads. The project team proposes a mixed-use master plan integrating commercial services, a variety of residential building types, and a working agrarian landscape on +/- 57.64 acres. The discussion took place as part of a pre-development consultation, which affords interested parties the opportunity to discuss projects informally with commissioners, prior to application submittal. An application has yet to be submitted for the proposal, though information on the project can be found in the commissioners' agenda for the October 25, 2022 meeting on the Town Board Meeting Agendas & Minutes webpage. Once an application has been received, a project page will be created on the Planning Department’s Development Projects page.