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: 251 South 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
April 2023
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 above under the contact tab. Check back from time to time for updates.
- Town of Davidson Planning Department
1. Historic Preservation Plan Implementation
The Davidson Historic Preservation Plan was adopted by the Board of Commissioners at their January 24, 2023 regular meeting. This Historic Preservation Plan presents a multi-year action plan for incorporating historic preservation objectives into the town’s objectives. Since plan adoption, planning staff created an implementation guide to help track progress toward plan implementation. A list of action items to work toward in 2023 was presented to the Board of Commissioners at their March 14, 2023 work session.
The Sloan House conditions assessment and use study is one project currently underway that works toward recommended actions in the Historic Preservation Plan. The Sloan House building study will be used to ascertain the current material health of the building at 230 South Main Street, form recommendations for ongoing maintenance, and brainstorm possible adaptive reuse strategies sensitive to the building’s historic character. This study will be especially useful in deciding the future of Sloan House now that town administrative offices have relocated to 251 South Street.
The full implementation guide is available on the Historic Preservation Plan webpage at www.townofdavidson.org/historicpreservationplan. This guide will be updated over time as various actions are undertaken and completed.
2. Development Project Update
Summit Farms: In January of 2023, the project team representing Summit Farms, LLC, filed an application for 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 service, a variety of residential building types, and a working agrarian landscape on +/- 57.64 acres. A Public Input Session sharing information and collecting feedback about the project will be held at Davidson Town Hall on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, from 5:15 – 7:00 P.M. on the lower level of the Davidson Town Hall & Community Center, 251 South Street, Davidson, North Carolina. The meeting room may be accessed from the rear parking lot, towards Cathey Street. Identical overview presentations by Town of Davidson staff and the project team will occur at 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m., with time allotted for questions and viewing the plans in an open house format after each event. For further information, including project documents and a timeline, see the project webpage.
3. Vision Zero
The Vision Zero Plan is underway! The Vision Zero Task Force and the contracted consultant, VHB, continue to meet regularly to discuss strategies and supporting actions for the upcoming draft plan. The plan is expected to go before the Board of Commissioners in the coming months following a review by the Vision Zero Task Force and Town Staff.
Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy and equitable mobility for all. For information and updates, please see the Vision Zero page on the town website.