Waxhaw's Growth Strategy 

The Land Development Code was adopted March 23, 2021.

As the region grows, Waxhaw is faced with increasing challenges to preserve the Town's unique charm, while serving the expanding needs of its residents and businesses. Our community has expressed a clear desire for greater walkability and street connectivity to relieve traffic congestion, more local jobs and commerce, and a commitment to make downtown a destination that is safe, friendly and vibrant.

To meet these needs, the Waxhaw Planning Department has updated the tools that guide the Town’s growth, including:
  • The Future Land Use Map, featuring the Downtown Center, proposed Employment Centers and proposed Neighborhood Centers.
  • The Zoning Districts Map, showing the entire municipal area pre-zoned according to the new simplified zoning districts.
  • The Land Development Code replaced the Unified Development Ordinance.
We encourage our residents to take time to review the documents below. You can also review the Collaborative Growth Strategy Booklet which provides an overview of our growth strategy. Thank you!

2016 Future Land Use Plan (Click to Enlarge)

2016 Future Land Use Map

2021 Future Land Use Plan Map (Click to Enlarge)

Future Land Use Map 03242021

The 2016 Future Land Use Map identified existing neighborhoods and commercial centers and potential parkways; and proposed new areas for residential, business and mixed-use growth. This plan called for an update every three to five years to meet changing demands.

Expanding upon the previous plan, the new Future Land Use Map features the Downtown Center, proposed Employment Centers, and proposed Neighborhood Centers. This plan focuses on five major goals:
• economic development
• job creation
• building and diversifying the tax base
• diversifying housing stock
• coordinating joint planning areas with Union County

Old Zoning Districts Map

Existing Zoning Districts Map

Zoning Districts Map

Zoning Districts Map 03242021

Includes 17 zoning districts, along with Conditional Use and Conditional Zoning Districts.

All zoning is reduced to just 8 base zoning districts and a Conditional Zoning District.

Zoning regulates land use according to the Future Land Use Plan by permitting certain types of development to occur. This does not mean that the current land use of that property will necessarily change in the immediate future.

Notable changes to Waxhaw’s Zoning Map:

1. The town pre-zoned the entire jurisdiction to meet our updated Future Land Use Plan.

2. Due to the reduction of districts, many properties saw a change in their zoning district designation but may have not seen a significant change in zoning requirements.

3. Properties once governed by Conditional Use and Conditional Zoning Districts are now general zoning districts. Conditional Use Zoning is no longer allowed by NC law. This change resulted in a more streamlined development process. Conditional Zoning Districts remained as an option for petitioners in rezoning requests.

4. Approved and vested development projects before March 23, 2021, can continue forward under the UDO.

5. Properties within the designated Development Centers are likely to see increased market activity as the growth strategy begins to take effect.

How the old 17 Zoning Districts were replaced by the 8 Zoning Districts:

Current VS Proposed

Collaborative Growth Strategy Booklet

LDC Summary Booklet