Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Update
Project Overview
The County’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) regulates the use and development of land within the County-regulated areas. This update process will focus on amending the existing zoning regulations, zoning map, overlay map, subdivision regulations, development standards, and floodplain development standards. This update will also focus on streamlining and simplifying development procedures to create clear and efficient processes. The goal of the UDO update is to align with the goals of the 2024 Catawba County Comprehensive Plan, address current development challenges, and align with recent updates to North Carolina State Statutes.
Input will be collected throughout the process through community workshops, stakeholder interviews, an online survey, and work sessions with the Planning Board and County Board of Commissioners. The online survey and stakeholder interviews with frequent code users will be held during the early stages of the project. Community workshops will be held later in the project to discuss specific recommendations for text and mapping modifications. This approach allows for input early in the process before the amendments are drafted and later in the process once there are draft amendments available for review. For more information about the planning process and engagement opportunities, visit the Meetings and Engagement section on this page.
The consultant team will work closely with County Staff to prepare draft amendments to the UDO and present the draft amendments to the Planning Board and County Board of Commissioners for periodic review and feedback. The draft amendments will ultimately be presented to the Planning Board and County Board of Commissioners for final review and adoption consideration.
Process Overview
The Code Diagnostic & Analysis phase lays the foundation for the code update. This phase includes detailed reviews of the County’s adopted plans and codes, interviews with frequent code users like County Staff and developers, work sessions with the Planning Board and County Board of Commissioners, and an online survey.
The second phase is the drafting of the code and zoning map amendments. The consultant team and County Staff will work closely to prepare draft amendments to the code. Draft amendments will be prepared during this phase and presented to the Planning Board and County Board of Commissioners for feedback.
The final phase will include detailed reviews and refinement of the draft UDO and Zoning and Overlay maps. A community open house will be conducted to encourage feedback on the draft amendments from Catawba County residents, business owners, and stakeholders. Following a series of workshops and public meetings, the Planning Board and County Board of Commissioners will consider adoption of the updated UDO, Zoning Map, and Overlay Map.
Meetings and Engagement
Stay tuned for information about upcoming meetings and engagements, and summaries from previous engagement efforts.
Current UDO and Zoning Map
Unified Development Ordinance
Official Zoning Map
Zoning Overlay Map Other Resources
Meet the Team
Lead Catawba County Planning Staff
Chris Timberlake, AICP, Planning Director
Laurie LoCicero, AICP, Assistant Planning Director
Freese and Nichols, Inc.
UDO, Zoning Map, and Overlay Map Update Consultant
Freese and Nichols, Inc. is an urban planning, engineering, and architecture firm offering a wide range of services to public sector clients for more than 130 years. FNI focuses on providing innovative approaches, practical results, and outstanding services to our clients. As a full-service consulting firm, we offer hundreds of specialty services. We take a holistic view of our clients' challenges, providing tailored, advanced solutions and delivering exemplary plans, designs, and codes.
For questions or comments on the Unified Development Code Update, contact Chris Timberlake, Director, at (828) 465-8380 or planning@catawbacountync.gov