There are placemaking tools at your disposal to help improve the public spaces in your neighborhood. The city has two toolkits – Creating Place and Supporting Art – that separate projects based on the typical approval processes. Creating Place includes placemaking projects that create new public spaces or that program or activate existing places and streetscapes.
Bicycle Parking
Providing ample bicycle parking encourages people to bike to local shops and businesses and supports city transportation and environmental objectives. There are two types of bicycle racks that can be installed – decorative bike racks and inverted-U racks. The city will work with business owners who want to install customized bicycle racks and offer free inverted-U racks. Bicycle parking can be created on your street or at your business as described below. Note that each new bicycle rack application is reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis.
- Decorative Bike Racks: The city encourages decorative, unique and custom bike racks to add whimsy or character to a neighborhood or shopfront. These are privately funded racks that must meet the city's design requirements and can be installed in the public right-of-way. Have fun with your bicycle rack design!
- Inverted-U Racks: The city's Bicycle Rack Partnership Program offers free inverted-U bicycle racks that can be installed in the public right-of-way and at eligible businesses.
Bicycle Parking in the Public Right-of-Way
- Free inverted “U” bicycle racks are available for you to install on the sidewalk at your business.
- Businesses can install their own inverted-U or custom/decorative racks.
- Decorative or custom bicycle racks that meet the city's design requirements are supported and encouraged. Have fun with your bicycle rack design!
Bicycle Parking on Private Property (Bicycle Rack Partnership Program)
- Free “inverted-U” style racks are available for businesses on sites developed on, or prior to, the adoption of the city’s first bicycle parking ordinance in 2005 (subject to availability).
- Businesses may install bicycle parking subject to Unified Development Ordinance requirements.
Permitted Locations
- Public Right-of-Way
- Publicly accessible locations at business located on sites developed prior to the adoption of the city’s bicycle parking ordinance.
- Business at sites developed prior to the adoption of the city’s bicycle parking ordinance.
Prohibited Locations
- Locations that would cause an obstruction to pedestrian circulation along the sidewalk.
- Any location deemed inappropriate by CDOT.
Design Requirements
- All bike racks design must:
- Support the bicycle upright without putting stress on the wheels.
- Accommodate a variety of bicycles and attachments.
- Allow locking of the frame and at least one wheel with a u-lock.
- Provide security and longevity appropriate for the intended location.
- Be intuitive to use.
Notes for Applicants
- There is a limited supply of free bicycle racks provided by CDOT. Applications may be declined or delayed until new racks are ordered.
- CDOT may require applicants to complete a Bicycle Parking Partnership Agreement.
Bus Stop Improvements
Charlotte has hundreds of bus stops that help thousands of people traverse the city every day. Bus stops are an important amenity for any neighborhood. Creating attractive, comfortable stops can help make your neighborhood unique while providing a more enjoyable experience for riders. The city and the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) support temporary and permanent improvements that enhance bus stops and showcase nearby communities or beautify the public realm. Improvements can be physical installations, like benches, or aesthetic enhancements, like adding art to shelters or trash bins.
Design Elements
Applicants should consider the following placemaking enhancements for bus stops:
- Concrete Waiting Pad.
- Shelter: Windscreens and ceilings can be customized with adhesive vinyl.
- Bench: Add customized, decorated or sculptural benches to existing stops.
- Trash Cans: Add paint, mosaic tiles or other decorative elements to existing trash cans.
- Landscaping: Add plantings, such as flower beds, butterfly gardens, and native plantings, in existing planting strips within the public right-of-way.
Permitted Locations
- CATS bus stops with existing infrastructure for proposed design elements.
Prohibited Locations
- Bus stops that already have existing Art in Transit elements.
- Locations that block/obscure transit signage and schedule information.
- Projects that impede service or create a safety or security hazard.
- Projects at stops that require easements that may conflict with adjacent private property.
- Projects that cannot meet potential encroachment agreement requirements.
- Bus stops with existing Art in Transit elements or placemaking projects.
Design Requirements
- Bus stops cannot be used for commercial advertising or for promoting any political or social advocacy organization or political or religious message.
Notes for Applicants
- Installation must be coordinated with CATS facilities and operations to ensure there are no bus service or access impacts when installing the art at the existing bus stop.
- CATS shall have final authority to screen and identify eligible project types and locations and may deny any bus stop placemaking request for any reason.
- CATS will work with applicants to provide specific design requirements and approve placemaking projects at bus stops.
Parklets
Parklets are installations that replace one or two on-street parking spaces with a small public space. Parklets, similar to pop-up plazas, are a great way to transform the public right-of-way by reclaiming a small amount of space from the street to contribute to an active, accessible and vibrant urban environment. Neighborhoods with retail, pedestrian traffic, mixed-use development, commercial or high-density residential developments are ideal candidates for parklets.
Permitted Locations
- Neighborhoods with existing pedestrian activity due to the presence of retail, mixed-use, commercial or high-density residential development.
- Within marked, on-street, parallel, public parking spaces.
- On city-maintained streets with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less.
- In spaces where parking is normally permitted during all hours of the day/night.
Prohibited Locations
- Within 20 feet of intersections.
- Within 10 feet of driveways and bus stops.
- Within 5 feet of fire hydrants.
- In parking spaces with a running slope greater than or equal to 5%.
- Above manholes or other utility access.
- Where resurfacing or other street improvements are scheduled to occur within 6 months.
- Where access to the sidewalk is limited by raised planting strips or vegetation.
- In bus lanes or loading zones.
- In accessible parking spaces.
- On bridges.
- On NCDOT-maintained streets.
- In any location deemed inappropriate by CDOT.
Design Requirements
- Accessibility requirements:
- Must be open and accessible for public use.
- Must comply with Americans with Disabilities Act design requirements for accessibility. CDOT staff will provide specific requirements based on your project.
- Physical design requirements:
- Maximum length of two consecutive parking spaces and must fit within the width of the marked parking space(s).
- Must incorporate plantings and seating.
- Must use appropriate buffer devices to separate people from vehicular traffic.
- Must not impede curbside drainage or stormwater drainage inlets unless accommodations for water flow are made.
- Must not obstruct other street furniture, plantings or signage.
- Electrical cords may not run across the public right-of-way from a partner establishment to a Parklet.
- No portion of the parklet may be glued, nailed, bolted cemented, or otherwise
- affixed to the street or curb.
- Parklets must be designed to be easily removed without damaging the curb, sidewalk, any drainage structures, and the underlying roadway.
- Non-structural elements (e.g., umbrellas) must be secured or affixed to structural elements.
Notes for Applicants
- Parklet permits require annual renewal and are revocable without notice. CDOT staff will explain the renewal process.
- Parklets should not be installed in locations scheduled for resurfacing or utility work within 6 months of installation.
- Parklets must be easy to assemble on site and dismantle for storage or in case of emergency hazard situations. Components must be transportable by a standard pickup truck when disassembled.
- CDOT reserves the right to have the parklet removed at any time.
- Charlotte Center City Partners manages certain activities in Uptown, notably on Tryon Street. City staff will instruct applicants to contact/coordinate with this organization where necessary and appropriate. Most applicants typically use the Tryon Street Mall Use Application from the linked website above.
Pop-Up Plazas
Charlotte has many great, walkable neighborhoods and business districts. However, some of them lack outdoor gathering spaces. Pop-up plazas are a useful way to quickly transform inactive areas into lively places where people can gather. Typically, these plazas are created on city streets or next to the public right-of-way on private property in highly visible areas. Although these plazas are often temporary, they can be a great way to test potential permanent plaza designs.
Permitted Locations
- Public right-of-way on city-maintained streets with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or lower.
- City-owned property.
- Private property with consent of the property owner.
Prohibited Locations
- Public right-of-way along NCDOT-maintained streets.
- Public right-of-way on city-maintained streets with a posted speed limit over 35 mph.
- In any other location deemed inappropriate by CDOT.
Design Requirements
- Plazas are permitted on streets regulated at or below the default speed limit of 35 mph.
- Size: There are no dimensional requirements. Size limitations may be applied based on staff guidance.
- Plazas must not interfere with transit stops.
- Plazas in the public right-of-way must not block pedestrian and bicycle routes.
- Plazas must open to the public.
- Seating in a plaza may not be licensed to an individual establishment or business.
- Plazas must not affect the circulation of emergency vehicles.
- Plazas must not block access to fire hydrants.
- Manhole covers and other utilities are allowed within plazas but cannot be blocked by furniture.
- Adequate clearance must be provided for turning in and out of nearby driveways.
- Plazas should not be installed in locations scheduled for resurfacing or utility work within 6 months of installation.
- Non-structural elements (e.g., umbrellas) must be secured or affixed to structural elements.
Sidewalk Dining
Sidewalk dining is a way to bring life and vitality to neighborhoods and business districts. Businesses can add items including tables, chairs and planters to create an active and safe environment for customers and the neighborhood. Sidewalk dining is permitted and regulated by the CDOT right-of-way management section and the City of Charlotte Code of Ordinances Article IX. CDOT staff will provide more details about the application requirements for sidewalk dining.
Permitted Locations
- Generally, any sidewalk or space in the public right-of-way that allows at least 6 feet of unobstructed, paved space in Uptown and 5 feet in other parts of Charlotte.
Prohibited Locations
- At locations where the clear space for the passageway (paved area, including tree grates) of pedestrians is reduced to less than 6 feet in Uptown and 5 feet in other parts of Charlotte.
- Within 10 feet of any driveway or alleyway.
- Within 15 feet of any fire hydrant or standpipe.
- Within 10 feet of any side of a bus shelter or sign marking a designated bus stop.
- Within 10 feet of a crosswalk or the intersection of public right-of-way lines (property lines) at a street intersection.
- At locations that cause an obstruction to underground utility access points, ventilation areas, meters, accessible ramps, or other facility provided for people with disabilities, any building access, exit, or any emergency access or exit.
- In front of an adjacent property without written approval of the adjacent business/property owner.
- In front of any display window without the written approval of the business or property owner.
- Any location deemed inappropriate by CDOT.
Design Requirements
- Applicants are required to submit a scaled drawing or site plan showing the following:
- The section of sidewalk or right-of-way to be used for the dining.
- The section to be kept clear for pedestrian use.
- The existing curb line and public right-of-way line.
- The proposed placement of the tables, chairs and other furnishings on the sidewalk.
- Must be located directly adjacent to the retail food establishment.
- Accessible design requirements:
- At least 6 feet of clear pedestrian passageway is required in Uptown and 5 feet in all other parts of the city.
- Must have a cane detectable barrier system separating dining area from pedestrian passageway.
- Umbrella vertical clearance must be a minimum of 7 feet.
Other Requirements
- Permanent fixtures, facilities or structures are not allowed.
- Dining area must remain clean, sanitary, and free of litter and food products.
- Advertising, business or product signage is not allowed on any encroaching item.
- No business, product or advertising signs are allowed on any encroaching item.
Notes for Applicants
- Dining is for waiter service only.
- Cover charges are not allowed for sidewalk dining.
- Sidewalk dining permits are renewable, remain in effect for one year, and are not transferable or assignable.
Street Furnishings
Street furnishings are physical streetscape features such as benches, bicycle racks, lighting, trash cans and banners located in the public right-of-way. These features create unique spaces and help make streets more inviting for pedestrians.
Permitted Locations
- In the public right-of-way, typically on wide sidewalks or in a planting strip adjacent to a sidewalk. These locations are defined as Amenity Zones or Green Zones in the Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance
- City-owned property.
- Private property (does not require a permit).
Prohibited Locations
- At locations where the clear space for the passageway (paved area, including tree grates) of pedestrians is reduced to less than 6 feet.
- Within 10 feet of any driveway or alleyway.
- Within 15 feet of any fire hydrant or standpipe.
- Within 10 feet of a crosswalk or the intersection of public right-of-way lines (property lines) at a street intersection.
- At locations that cause an obstruction to underground utility access points, ventilation areas, meters, accessible ramps, facilities for people with disabilities, building access or emergency access or exit.
- In front of an adjacent property without written approval of the adjacent business/property owner.
- In front of any display window without the written approval of the business or property owner.
- Any location deemed inappropriate by CDOT.
Design Requirements
- Must not block a fire hydrant.
- Cannot obstruct other street furniture, plantings or signage unless permitted.
- Five percent of seating (where provided) must be accessible to persons with disabilities.
- Must not be installed over street drains unless accommodations for water flow are made.