Housing Zoning Text Amendments

At a glance

What: Three Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) text amendments heard in one public hearing: allow duplexes in more districts (Ordinance 5255), enlarge accessory dwelling units (Ordinance 5256), and eliminate minimum off-street parking requirements (Ordinance 5257).
Where it stands: All three approved unanimously on August 25, 2026, each by a separate vote.
Next: Implementation by staff. Councilwoman Turner's idea to keep the sliding height allowance for detached ADUs (instead of a 25-foot cap) was not moved and may be revisited.

Allows duplexes by right in RS-2, RS-4, RS-8, NB, RAD-NT, RAD-LYH and RAD-RES, where they were not allowed.
Townhouse rules revised to allow a maximum of two attached townhomes in RS-2, RS-4 and RS-8, so a duplex can be subdivided for separate ownership.
Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 6-1 with two changes now in the draft: drop the four-unit townhouse cluster limit in RM-6, and drop the rule requiring townhouse parking at the rear unless there is a garage.
Staff noted 18 duplex applications between April 2025 and April 2026, and cited the Affordable Housing Plan (2024) and the Missing Middle Housing Study (2023).
Motion by Councilwoman Ullman, seconded by Councilwoman Roney, unanimous.

Maximum size rises from 70 percent of the main house or 800 square feet (whichever is less) to smaller than the main house or 1,000 square feet (whichever is less). The Commission changed staff's 90 percent language to simply smaller than the main residence.
No on-site parking required; one ADU allowed on a lot with a duplex; ADUs may sit in front of the main building; detached ADU height capped at 25 feet.
Staff noted 29 detached-ADU applications from April 2025 to April 2026. Commission vote 6-1.
Debate: Councilwoman Turner suggested keeping the existing rule that height can rise one foot for each foot of extra setback, since the size increase is now to 1,000 rather than 1,200 square feet. Vice-Mayor Mosley opposed, saying the height limit was part of a compromise with Black neighborhoods and changing it would erode trust. Councilwoman Smith agreed and said it can be revisited, and Councilman Hess asked members to support the staff version.
Motion by Councilwoman Roney, seconded by Councilwoman Ullman, unanimous, as proposed by staff.

Eliminates minimum parking for all development and keeps, in simplified form, the maximums. Minimum bicycle parking remains.
Required by state law: HB 162 took effect July 6, 2026 and North Carolina General Statute 160D-702 now bars local minimum parking requirements.
Commission vote 7-0. Motion by Councilwoman Ullman, seconded by Councilwoman Turner, unanimous.

Presented by Interim Planning and Urban Design Director Collins. The combined hearing ran from 6:01 to 6:41 p.m.; seventeen people spoke, all in support of all three amendments.
Staff held a stakeholder event on May 20, 2026 with neighborhood groups, builders and realtors.

City Council minutes, August 25, 2026: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wVG0jftidT2WUasy7Edl4yMoYLkmQGlmwZ64Q1BUmZ8/edit
Note: the minutes give the Commission's August vote date as August 5, 2025 in the committee lines but August 5, 2026 elsewhere; 2026 is used here.

Public hearing and three separate unanimous votes approving the duplex, ADU and parking amendments.