Pending Text Amendments and Public Participation

What is a Text Amendment

A Text Amendment is a proposed change or revision to existing rules or regulations. In Durham, the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) is a tool that regulates how development looks, feels, and sounds like in the City and County. The purpose of the UDO is to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of all Durham City and County residents. The UDO was adopted in 2006, and since then, has needed some periodic updates or improvements, called Text Amendments.   

Text amendments to the UDO can be initiated by a resident or other entities through an application to the Planning Department. Text amendments can also be initiated by the Planning Department, City or County Managers, the Planning Commission, the Board of Adjustment, or one or both of the governing bodies.  

Check out current text amendments below and send any comments or feedback to [email protected]. 

  1. Upcoming/Proposed
  2. Voted Amendments

SCAD: SIMPLIFYING CODES FOR MORE AFFORDABLE DEVELOPMENT (TC2200001) 

Privately-Initiated 

This privately-initiated text amendment is centered around simplifying the ordinance to allow for more affordable development to be built in Durham. 

Adoption Process Status:  

  • JCCPC (Joint City-County Planning Committee): August 3, 2022, recommend moving forward to PC 
  • Planning Commission: December 13, 2022 - Public Hearing, recommend denial by a tie vote of 6-6 
  • City Council: November 20, 2023 - Public Hearing, approved with modifications, 4-3
  • Board of County Commissioners: December 11, 2023 - Public Hearing

Version Approved by City Council 

Previous Versions 


OMNIBUS 18 (TC2300001) 

Staff-Initiated 

This staff-initiated Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)  involves numerous small updates called Omnibus 18. This will include numerous amendments to clean-up various parts of the UDO. Updates include clarifying terminology, fixing inconsistences with outside entity information, and adding definitions. Since these changes are minor in nature, staff is sharing the amendment as an information-only item with the community. 

Adoption Process Status:  

  • JCCPC (Joint City-County Planning Committee): October 4, 2023 
  • Planning Commission: November 14, 2023 - Public Hearing, recommend approval, 9-0
  • City Council: December 18, 2023 - Public Hearing 
  • Board of County Commissioners: December 11, 2023 - Public Hearing


TEER QUARRY TEXT AMENDMENT (TC2300003) 

Staff-Initiated 

This staff-initiated amendment includes the addition of the E-A(2) watershed overlay for the new Teer Quarry intake, required per state watershed regulations. Teer Quarry is a critical water supply resource for Durham and the intake will be a structure to withdraw water from the Eno River into the quarry to improve Durham’s water supply. The purpose of the new E-A(2) watershed protection overlay is to protect the drinking water supply of the surrounding area and will change all property within a half-mile radius of the intake location  from protected (E-B) to Critical (E-A) classification. While the properties will change to the critical designation, properties will be subject to the overlay rules at the time the lot was created.  

Adoption Process Status:  

  • JCCPC (Joint City-County Planning Committee): August 2, 2023 
  • Planning Commission: November 14, 2023 - Public Hearing, recommend approval, 9-0
  • Board of County Commissioners: January 8, 2024 - Public Hearing
  • City Council: January 2, 2024 - Public Hearing 

Proposed Teer Quarry Text Amendment Draft (PDF)


PEDESTRIAN MALL TEXT AMENDMENT (TC2300004) 

Privately-Initiated 

This text amendment proposes a change to UDO Section 16.4.3C.1 to change the required maximum width of the pedestrian mall requirement from 50 to 75 feet. The proposal aims to provide a pleasant, safe, and walkable experience for community members in pedestrian mall plazas. Additional width may allow for more space to be dedicated to street level activities like dining, sitting and a playing areas, larger green space and landscaped areas, along with greater transitions between development and adjacent areas.  

Adoption Process Status:  

  • JCCPC (Joint City-County Planning Committee): October 4, 2023 
  • Planning Commission: November 14, 2023 - Public Hearing, recommend approval, 9-0 
  • City Council: December 18, 2023 - Public Hearing 
  • Board of County Commissioners: December 11, 2023 - Public Hearing 

Proposed Pedestrian Mall Text Amendment (PDF)