Ordinances, Regulations & Adopted Plans

Ordinances

Read the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)

City Council adopted the new UDO and Zoning Map on April 12, 2022, with an immediate effective date. Please note American Legal is only updated once per year. Please contact City staff if you have questions regarding the ordinance and regulations for your property. 

Read the Concord Avenue Overlay District Ordinance (PDF) (effective May 2, 2017)

Union County Atlas has the City's zoning layers. While the County information may be correct in most cases, it may not reflect map amendments as they occur. For up-to-date information, please contact City Planning staff.

To view Monroe's zoning layers, follow these steps:

  1. Click on "Layers"
  2. Expand "Map Layers"
  3. Expand "Districts"
  4. Select the box next to "Monroe Zoning"
  5. Scroll to the bottom and Click "Legend" to view the zoning color legend. 

An image providing directions to view zoning map. Written steps are provided above the photo.


Regulations

Read the Historic District Standards (PDF)

The Historic District Standards were adopted in September 2019. In August 2021, the Historic District readopted the Design Standards in order to comply with Chapter 160D of the North Carolina General Statutes with an effective date of August 10, 2021. The Standards are used by the Historic District Commission in reviewing the appropriateness of proposed changes in the South Monroe Historic District.

Adopted Plans

Future Land Use Plan & Transportation Plan

Read the Future Land Use Plan and Transportation Plan (PDF) (adopted 2018)

Forward Monroe is the city's blueprint for development, its growth strategy, and the foundation upon which future land use and transportation decisions will be based. The plan responds to existing challenges, anticipates future needs, and prepares the community to accommodate future growth. The plan will guide future city-wide plans, small-area plans, land development regulations, capital projects, and other programs and services.

Concord Avenue Area Master Plan

Read the Concord Avenue Area Master Plan (PDF)

The purpose and intent of the Concord Avenue Area Master Plan is to improve the aesthetics, safety, viability, and appeal of the Kerr Street area through a comprehensive small-area redevelopment plan.

The goals of the project include developing new and improved housing stock, creating economic development and employment opportunities, revitalizing properties to create an attractive entrance to Monroe, and establishing a catalyst area for improvement.

Special objectives of the plan include: 

  • Developing a plan that addresses urban design, future land uses, aesthetics, and transportation that would reflect the vision of the community and drive a positive image for the area. 
  • Developing a plan to serve as a gateway node for downtown Monroe and a catalyst for future projects. 
  • Developing an action/ implementation plan that will provide implementation strategies, including a list of catalyst projects, phasing plans, available funding sources, and agencies responsible for implementing the vision

Downtown Master Plan

The Downtown Master Plan was adopted in February 2008 and reflects a vision for a place where people live, work, and play and where restaurants, entertainment venues and shops enliven a safe city core. The purpose is to serve as a guide for future development in the downtown area, counteract the impact of lost retail, revitalize the historic core, and make Downtown Monroe an exciting destination.

A new Downtown Master Plan is in development for 2026. Learn more about the plan.

Downtown Master Plan Maps

  1. Assets Map (PDF)
  2. Block Pattern Map (PDF)
  3. Context Map (PDF)
  4. Existing Land Use Map (PDF)
  5. Future Land Use Map (PDF)
  6. Open Space and Greenways (PDF)
  7. Study Area Map (PDF)
  8. Transportation Map (PDF)
  9. Transportation Map 2 (PDF)