Height, Setbacks, Density: Rules That Decide Building Size and Shape
Why two nearby lots can have totally different outcomes.
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What to Check
If a project worries you because of height or “crowding,” here’s the fast sequence:
1. Which zoning district + tier? (Intensity standards are tier-based and district-specific.)
2. What are the yard/setback numbers in Article 6 for that district?
3. What’s the max height (feet and/or stories), and are there overlay/infill limits?
4. Is this a subdivision/site plan project (density applies) or a simple infill build (density may not apply)?
5. Is the applicant using any “flex tools” (lot averaging, bonuses) that change the baseline?
If a project worries you because of height or “crowding,” here’s the fast sequence:
1. Which zoning district + tier? (Intensity standards are tier-based and district-specific.)
2. What are the yard/setback numbers in Article 6 for that district?
3. What’s the max height (feet and/or stories), and are there overlay/infill limits?
4. Is this a subdivision/site plan project (density applies) or a simple infill build (density may not apply)?
5. Is the applicant using any “flex tools” (lot averaging, bonuses) that change the baseline?
When neighbors say, “That looks too tall,” or “How can they fit that many homes there?” they’re usually bumping into Article 6: District Intensity Standards - the UDO’s core limits on bulk and scale.
Durham’s Unified Development Ordinance says these standards establish lot sizes and certain restrictions for residential and nonresidential development, allow variety in housing/building types, and aim to maintain overall neighborhood and commercial character, using standards that vary by planning tier.
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