Unified Development Ordinances (UDO) & Amendments

Unified Development Ordinances (UDO)

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Unified Development Ordinances (UDO) are the compilation of regulations that govern land use, which include the Zoning Ordinance, the Environmental Ordinance, and the Subdivision Ordinance/Regulations.

The UDO is available as a searchable document on the UDO ClearCode website. To access the Principal Use Table, navigate to Chapter 5, Section 5.1.5. 

You may also download a complete copy of UDO ClearCode. Please note that this is a very large file and that recent amendments to the UDO may or may not be reflected in the code currently available online. UDO amendments which were heard or are soon to be heard by the Planning Board can be found in the following section.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to call the Land Use Administration Team at 336-747-7064.

UDO Amendments

This table lists those amendments which have been recently heard by the Planning Board. These amendments are also listed on the Monthly Zoning Cases page, under the month in which they were or will be heard. UDO amendments from previous years beginning in 2000 may be found on the Unified Development Ordinance Amendments page.

Recent UDO Text Amendments

Case NumberUDO Text AmendmentPlanning Board RecommendsCity Council Action
UDO-CC23An ordinance amendment proposed by Planning and Development Services staff modifying miscellaneous sections in Chapters 3, 4, 5, 9, and 11 of the Unified Development Ordinances (UDO). These amendments are prepared periodically to keep the UDO up to date through various minor, non-substantive changes and clarifications.Approval
April 13, 2023
Approved
July 27, 2023
UDO-CC22Text amendment to Chapter 10 of the Unified Development Ordinances (UDO), which has been adopted by the Winston-Salem City Council, modifying the structure of the Forsyth County Historic Resources Commission (HRC). Planning and Development Services staff requests that the Board of Commissioners adopt UDO-CC22 to simplify administration of the UDO and minimize the differences between Forsyth County and Winston-Salem in the text.
Approval
March 9, 2023
Approved 
July 27, 2023
UDO-CC21Text amendment to Section 3 and 11 of the Unified Development Ordinances to reflect current North Carolina General Statute language regarding sight distance triangles.
Approval
February 9, 2023
Approved
July 27, 2023
UDO-CC20An ordinance amendment proposed by Planning and Development Services staff modifying Chapter 3 of the Unified Development Ordinances (UDO); amending Section 3.2.5B.2., Final Plat Required Information and Certificates, to add that the first/bottom layer of asphalt be installed and approved in subdivision streets prior to acceptance of surety for remaining infrastructure improvements and final plat recordation.  
Approval
December 8, 2022

UDO-CC19An ordinance amendment proposed by Planning and Development Services staff amending Chapter 9 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to alleviate off-street parking requirements for restaurants in GMA 1 and GMA 2 (UDO-CC19).
Approval
November 10, 2022

UDO-CC18An ordinance amendment proposed by Planning and Development Services Staff modifying various chapters of the Unified Development Ordinances pertaining to electronic submittal requirements of what the  (UDO-CC-18).
Approval
September 8, 2022
Approved
November 1, 2022
UDO-CC17An ordinance amendment proposed by Planning and Development Services staff modifying Chapters 5 and 11 of the Unified Development Ordinances (UDO) regarding requirements for Manufacturing C; modifying Table 5.1.1: Principal Use Table for Manufacturing C uses; modifying Section 5.2.55 to add use-specific standards related to Chemical Manufacturing, Storage Battery Manufacturing, and Primary Battery Manufacturing; and modifying Section 11.2.2 regarding industrial classification manuals referenced for primary use interpretations (UDO-CC17).
Approval
October 13, 2022
Approved
December 5, 2022
UDO-CC16An ordinance amendment proposed by Planning and Development Services staff, in consultation with the City and County Attorneys, to eliminate criminal penalties as an enforcement action for various sections of the Unified Development Ordinances (UDO), as required by NC Senate Bill 300 (UDO-CC16).
Approval
February 10, 2022
N/A
UDO-CC15An ordinance amendment proposed by Planning and Development Services staff modifying Section 5.3.1 of the Unified Development Ordinances pertaining to the Purpose of Accessory Structures and Uses; modifying Section 5.3.4 pertaining to Dwellings, Accessory (Attached and Detached); amending Table 6.1.2: Motor Vehicle and Bicycle Parking Space Requirements related to Dwelling, Single-Family, Accessory, Attached and Detached; and amending Table 11.2.2: Definitions to modify the definitions for Dwelling Unit and Dwelling Unit, Accessory, Attached and Detached.
Approval
November 10, 2021
Approved
October 4, 2021
UDO-CC14An ordinance amendment proposed by Planning and Development Services Staff modifying Chapter 6 and Chapter 11 of the Unified Development Ordinances pertaining to the change rate of electronic message board signs; to add brightness limits to the regulation of electronic message board signs; and to extend the amortization period by two (2) years to June 30, 2024 to bring nonconforming on-premises signs into compliance within the City of Winston-Salem jurisdiction (UDO-CC14).
Approval
August 12, 2021
Approved
September 2, 2021
UDO-CC13An ordinance amendment proposed by Edward Nichols modifying Section 5.4.2E of the Unified Development Ordinances pertaining to the temporary use Turkey Shoot.
Approval
August 12, 2021
N/A
UDO-CC12An ordinance amendment proposed by Hank Perkins modifying Table 5.1.1: Principal Use Table of the Unified Development Ordinances to allow schools and religious institutions in the Entertainment (E) zoning district.
Approval
June 10, 2021
Approved
September 7, 2021
UDO-CC11An ordinance amendment proposed by Planning and Development Services staff modifying Sections 5 and 11 of the Unified Development Ordinances pertaining to the use-specific standards and definitions for Storage Services, Retail.
Approval
June 24, 2021
Approved
October 4, 2021
UDO-CC10
An ordinance amendment proposed by Planning and Development Services staff, in consultation with the City and County Attorney offices, to modify numerous sections of the Unified Development Ordinances (UDO) to align with the North Carolina General Assembly’s combination of the Planning and Development statutes in NCGS 153A and NCGS 160A into NCGS 160D.
Approval
March 11, 2021
Approved
March 3, 2023
UDO-CC9
An ordinance amendment proposed by Planning and Development Services staff modifying Section 11.2 and Section 3.2.2 of the Unified Development Ordinances, pertaining to Family Group Homes and defining supervisory personnel.
Approved
December 10, 2020
Approved
February 1, 2021
UDO-CC8
An ordinance amendment proposed by Planning and Development Services staff amending Section 4.8.3 of the Unified Development Ordinances pertaining to the Mixed Use-Special Use (MU-S) District, amending Table 5.1.1: Principal Use Table to add Cottage Courts as a use, adding Section 5.2.26.1 pertaining to Cottage Courts, amending Table 6.1.2 Motor Vehicle and Bicycle Parking Space Requirements to add Cottage Courts, and amending Table 11.2.2: Definitions to add definitions for Planned Unit Development and Cottage Courts (UDO-CC8).
Approval
February 11, 2021
Approved
April 19, 2021
UDO-CC7
An ordinance amendment proposed by Planning and Development Services staff amending Section 12.2 of the Unified Development Ordinances, pertaining to Traffic Impact Standards (UDO-CC7).
Approval
October 8, 2020
Approved
January 4, 2021
UDO-CC6
An ordinance amendment proposed by Planning and Development Services staff modifying Section 12.2 of the Unified Development Ordinances, pertaining to Traffic Impact Standards.
Approval
November 12, 2020
Approved
January 4, 2021