ENGAGEMENT ON THE NEXT SECTION OF NEW UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE (UDO) CONTENT IS BEGINNING!
We invite you to an upcoming engagement opportunity to learn more and share your feedback on Module 3 of the new UDO. This will include the proposed environmental protection, subdivision, and infrastructure standards, including required street designs.
*Engagement materials for module 3 will be posted when available.
Code Connect – virtual session with Code Studio
- Tuesday, October 21, 2025 from 6-7PM on Zoom
- Code Studio will walk through the proposed Module 3 content on Environmental Protection, Subdivisions, and Infrastructure. This session will include a Q&A.
- Registration is required for this virtual session.
Attend a Meeting
Staff will provide an overview of draft Module 3 content, Environmental Protection, Subdivisions, and Infrastructure, including how the drafts differ from current regulations and how they implement the vision in the Comprehensive Plan.
In Person Meeting
- Thursday, November 13, 2025 from 6-7:30PM
- Durham County Administration Building II (201 E Main St), Room 126
- RSVPs are requested for this in-person session.
Virtual Meeting
- Tuesday, November 18, 2025 from 6-7:30PM on Zoom
- Registration is required for this virtual session.
Office Hours – Drop in with questions for Staff
Planning staff is hosting open Office Hours at the Durham County Main Library in the Cafe Space where you are invited to bring your questions and talk directly with staff about this project. If you have specific questions related to your property or neighborhood or a topic you’re passionate about, Office Hours are a great opportunity!
- Tuesday, October 28, 2025 3-6PM
- Thursday, November 6, 2025 3-6PM
- Thursday, November 20, 2025 10AM-1PM
- Tuesday, November 25, 2025 3-6PM
*Office hours will continue on the first and third Thursdays at the Main Library after November.
Project Background
In the fall of 2024, Planning staff shared initial drafts of New Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) content and sought your questions and feedback. These initial drafts included:
- 22 new zoning districts that will replace the existing zoning districts,
- a new zoning map applying those districts to properties throughout the city and county, and
- a new list of permitted uses, saying what types of activities will be allowed in each new district.
In the spring of this year, staff shared drafts of proposed “development standards” that will work in conjunction with these new zoning districts. Development standards are rules that apply across zoning districts and include standards for lighting, landscaping, parking, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, transitions and buffers, and signs.
After the current engagement on Module 3 content, a full revised draft of the New UDO will be released for community feedback. This document is anticipated to be released this winter and will contain all of the content previously released in Modules 1, 2, and 3, plus new administrative standards that will detail processes, definitions, and more.
To learn more about previous draft sections, you can also find video recordings and recordings which describe the content from each module released so far in detail.
For more information, visit engagedurham.com/newUDO