TITLE
Title
UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE (UDO) TEXT AMENDMENT CASE #26-07-PLBD-00024: AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 4 (ZONING DISTRICTS); SUBSECTION 4.2.1 (AG-AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT); SUBSECTION 4.2.17 (MXU-MIXED USE DISTRICT); AND SUBSECTION 4.3 (USE MATRIX) TO ADJUST DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SINGLE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS IN THE AG, AGRICULTURAL AND MXU, MIXED USE ZONING DISTRICTS AND ADD TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS AS A PERMITTED USE IN THE RS-40, RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
J. Leslie Bell
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BACKGROUND
Background
Proposed Text Amendment Case #26-07-PLBD-00024 (attached) amends Article 4 Zoning Districts, Subsection 4.2.1 AG-Agricultural District; Subsection 4.2.17-MXU Mixed Use District; and Subsection 4.3 Use Matrix of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).
This proposal is a response based on input from the public provided within the Guiding Guilford Moving Forward Together Comprehensive Plan (Plan) which was gathered through several public workshops/meetings held during the development of the Plan. Feedback from the public placed a high priority on creation of new housing types including what is known as the “Missing Middle Housing” which is characterized as ”…a spectrum of housing types that are typically absent from more recent housing development. Is a range of medium-density multifamily units - from Duplexes to cottage units to apartments - that can provide housing opportunities that are in scale with single-family neighborhoods but can house more people and are often at a lower, more attainable price point.”
First, the proposed amendment aligns dimensional requirements (lot size and minimum lot width) for Two-Family Dwellings (Duplexes) with Single-Family, Detached Dwellings in the AG district. This adjustment is reasonable as there is not a significant difference between, for example, a four-bedroom 2,500 sq. ft. Single-Family, Detached Dwelling and a 2,500 sq. ft. Two-Family Dwelling (Duplex) with two bedrooms per unit.
Secondly, the proposed amendment reduces the minimum lot width at the building line (the building line is where the frontage of the dwelling begins perpendicular to the property line) for Single-Family, Detached Dwellings in the Mixed Use (MXU) District from 50-feet to 40-feet for interior lots and 70-feet to 50-feet for corner lots. The reduction allows for creation of more housing by allowing one additional lot per every four (4) lots.
Lastly, the proposed amendment allows Two-Family Dwellings (Duplexes) as a permitted use in the Residential-40, RS-40 zoning district. The addition of this use does not result in an increase in density from what is currently allowed in RS-40 as one Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is currently allowed in addition to any Single-Family, Detached Dwelling. An ADU is a separate living space from the primary dwelling which may be either detached or attached to the primary structure. Therefore, it can be said that two dwelling units are already allowed per lot in the RS-40 district.
Allowing Two-Family homes adds another form of housing not dissimilar to a primary dwelling with an attached ADU. Note, ADUs are not allowed as accessories to Two-Family Dwellings (Duplexes). In the Guiding Guilford Moving Forward Together Comprehensive Plan, Two-Family Dwellings (Duplexes) are identified as a recommended primary land use within both the Rural Living and Residential Land Use Classifications of the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) included within the Plan.
The staff report, full text of the proposed amendment, and illustrations are attached. The text to be added is underlined and the text to be removed is shown with a single strike through.
At its August 18, 2026 regular meeting, the Guilford County Planning Board unanimously recommended (8-0) to the Board of Commissioners that Text Amendment Case #26-07-PLBD-00024 be adopted, as presented herein (minutes attached).
Consistency with Adopted Plans:
The proposed Text Amendment is consistent with the Guiding Guilford Moving Forward Together Comprehensive Plan’s Attainable Housing Planning Theme’s Goal Statement which encourages the County to: “Focus on supporting the creation and retention of housing types to accommodate all residents while emphasizing safety and high-quality, sustainable design.” The proposal is also consistent with the Attainable Housing Planning Theme’s Policy 1 to: “Enable the creation of the new housing units that will provide a mix of housing types that meet the needs of residents.”
Additionally, the proposed amendment is consistent with the following near term Action Items under the Attainable Housing Planning Theme (1) Action H1.7 which states to “Update the UDO to allow developers of new subdivisions to provide multiple lot sizes and/or house types to encourage additional housing variety.” Moreover, the proposed amendment is consistent with Attainable Housing Planning Theme’s (2) Action Item H2.3 that encourages Guilford County to “Complete a code audit to identify any barriers related to the creation of missing middle housing and implement recommended code changes from the audit.” Finally, the proposed amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan’s recommendation that Two-Family Dwellings (Duplexes) be allowed as a primary land use within both the Rural Living and Residential Land Use Classifications of the Future Land Use Map (FLUM).
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS REQUIRED
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Hold a legislative hearing and adopt UDO Text Amendment Case #26-07-PLBD-00024 and the aforementioned statement of plan consistency, as presented herein, to amend Article 4 (zoning districts); Subsection 4.2.1 (AG-Agricultural District); subsection 4.2.17 (MXU-Mixed Use District); and Subsection 4.3 (Use Matrix).
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