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
February 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 on our department’s homepage. Check back from time to time for updates.
- Town of Davidson Planning Department
1. Historic Preservation Plan - Adopted January 2023
The Davidson Historic Preservation Plan was adopted by the Board of Commissioners at their January 24, 2023, regular meeting. The plan fulfills action 2.4.1 of the 2020 Comprehensive Plan, advancing toward Goal 2.4, “A Preserved Historic Fabric: Davidson will celebrate its unique architectural and cultural history through preservation initiatives.”
This Historic Preservation Plan for the Town of Davidson presents a multi-year action plan for incorporating historic preservation objectives into the Town’s strategic planning. It is designed to aid the Historic Preservation Commission, Board of Commissioners, other advisory boards and commissions, Town staff, and the public to make well informed decisions about historic preservation. The Town and the community as a whole have been practicing historic preservation for decades with considerable success. With this Historic Preservation Plan, a new generation of ideas and leadership to be built on that foundation is now possible.
The full plan is available for review at: www.townofdavidson.org/historicpreservationplan
2. Development Project Updates
Development Review process Text Amendments: Staff proposes necessary changes to the Davidson Planning Ordinance (DPO) to achieve growth management goals laid out in the 2020 Davidson Comprehensive Plan. Additionally, text changes are proposed to better define exempt and expedited subdivisions, include a minor subdivision option, and clearly define requirements for site plan submittals. Initial efforts to develop these amendments date to the fall of 2020 when the Davidson Board of Commissioners asked the Planning Board Ordinance Committee (PBOC) to continue work on exploring growth management strategies begun by commissioners earlier that year. For more information on the amendments, please see the project webpage.
Summit Farms Conditional Master Plan: In January 2023 the developer’s project team submitted an application for a mixed-use development located at 19300 Shearer Road. The proposal lies within the Neighborhood Edge Planning Area and Neighborhood Services Overlay District. It includes a mix of commercial, residential, and agricultural areas envisioning 93 units and commercial services in a variety of building types; multiple open spaces, including a working farm; and multi-use path facilities running along Shearer Road, through the development, and along the Rocky River. It requires a minimum of 45% open space, along with a Transportation Impact Analysis. For more information about the proposal, please see the project webpage.