UDO Rewrite

UDO & MSSD Rewrite

The Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and Manual of Specifications, Standards and Design (MSSD) are being rewritten to implement the policies and recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan, which includes, among other adopted plans, the 2021 Northeast Community Plan, the 2022 Wake Forest Community Plan, and the 2024 Wake Forest Downtown Plan. Drawing on best practices in zoning and land use regulations, the rewrite addresses the current conditions in Wake Forest, which are very different from what they were in 2013. Another objective of the rewrite is to ensure the UDO and MSSD comply with current state and federal law. The zoning map, which is a legal document that illustrates the zoning districts where different development rules apply, will also be repealed and replaced as part of this project.

The rewrite project began in 2022. Following over two years of in-depth analysis, broad public engagement, and an iterative drafting process, the draft UDO (see link below) was proposed for adoption in December 2024. That same month, state legislation was introduced and went into effect that limited the ability of local governments, state-wide, to make certain zoning map and ordinance amendments. After careful evaluation of the law, the Town is moving forward with full-scale repeal of the current UDO and adoption of a new, comprehensively rewritten UDO rather than an amendment of the existing ordinance.

Town staff is currently working to revise the draft UDO that was circulated in December 2024 to ensure it is entirely up-to-date with evolving state and federal law and to make minor revisions to address issues identified since the last draft was completed. A new Draft UDO will be made available in the coming months on this website so that all who are interested may review it before it moves forward for Planning Board review and consideration for adoption by the Board of Commissioners.

For any questions or comments on the draft UDO or the adoption process, please email Tim Richards at trichards@wakeforestnc.gov or call the Planning Department at 919-435-9510.

Following the UDO adoption, a new Zoning Map, which is the official map showing the boundaries of the UDO’s zoning districts in the Town’s jurisdiction, will be prepared and made available for public input before being brought forward for adoption.

Current UDO

The Wake Forest Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), along with the Town’s Manual of Specifications, Standards and Design (MSSD), establish the requirements for all development activity in the Town’s jurisdiction. The UDO combines into a single document the regulations for zoning, subdivision, land use, grading, stormwater management, and historic preservation. The MSSD includes the technical standards and specifications for roads, parking lots, stormwater infrastructure, etc. The current UDO and MSSD were originally adopted in 2013 and have undergone numerous amendments in the intervening years.

Current UDO

UDO Overview

The UDO combines into a single document the Town's zoning, subdivision, land use, grading, storm water management, and historic preservation regulations. It outlines the requirements for all development activity.

The UDO was first adopted in 2013, along with the Manual of Specifications, Standards and Design (MSSD). With the update and adoption of several comprehensive plans, including the 2022 Community Plan and 2021 Northeast Community Plan, as well as several other comprehensive plans that are underway, the UDO and MSSD need to be updated to implement the policies and recommendations of the plans.

The zoning map, which is a legal document that illustrates the zoning districts where different development rules apply, will also be updated as part of this project.

In addition to reflecting the goals and actions of the comprehensive plans, the UDO needs to maintain compliance with state, federal and case law, which are constantly evolving. Finally, the update will exam best practices and trending topics.