Rewriting our Rules: LUMO Update

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The Town of Chapel Hill has released a draft of its updated Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO), a comprehensive rewrite of the regulations that guide how and where growth happens in Chapel Hill. Community members are encouraged to review the draft, ask questions, and provide feedback ahead of the Town Council’s formal consideration later this year.

Background & Context

The current LUMO is more than twenty years old, first adopted in 2003. Since then, the Town Council has made occasional amendments and adopted strategic plans about transportation, affordable housing, climate action, and more. The new draft LUMO reflects those plans, as well as modern best practices for smart growth and land use planning.

What’s happening now?

We’re sharing a full draft LUMO that’s based on several years of policy direction from Council, community engagement, stakeholder input, and staff collaboration with experts. This draft LUMO implements the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and Complete Community strategy.

How to review and comment

You can easily review and comment on the draft LUMO using the module below!

First, the draft is more than 700 pages, so we’ve created resources you can use to help understand the document:

  • This Reference Guide is a detailed – but not exhaustive – guide to the changes in the draft LUMO.

When you leave a comment on the draft, you’ll have the option to tag it as either a “suggestion” or a “question.” Staff will monitor incoming questions and update the FAQs section of this website as needed. We’ll also review all suggestions and share them with the Town Council and Planning Commission.

Please note that this draft is still a work in progress. Some additional edits and refinement are expected before the Town Council and Planning Commission begin their official deliberations later this year.


The Town of Chapel Hill has released a draft of its updated Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO), a comprehensive rewrite of the regulations that guide how and where growth happens in Chapel Hill. Community members are encouraged to review the draft, ask questions, and provide feedback ahead of the Town Council’s formal consideration later this year.

Background & Context

The current LUMO is more than twenty years old, first adopted in 2003. Since then, the Town Council has made occasional amendments and adopted strategic plans about transportation, affordable housing, climate action, and more. The new draft LUMO reflects those plans, as well as modern best practices for smart growth and land use planning.

What’s happening now?

We’re sharing a full draft LUMO that’s based on several years of policy direction from Council, community engagement, stakeholder input, and staff collaboration with experts. This draft LUMO implements the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and Complete Community strategy.

How to review and comment

You can easily review and comment on the draft LUMO using the module below!

First, the draft is more than 700 pages, so we’ve created resources you can use to help understand the document:

  • This Reference Guide is a detailed – but not exhaustive – guide to the changes in the draft LUMO.

When you leave a comment on the draft, you’ll have the option to tag it as either a “suggestion” or a “question.” Staff will monitor incoming questions and update the FAQs section of this website as needed. We’ll also review all suggestions and share them with the Town Council and Planning Commission.

Please note that this draft is still a work in progress. Some additional edits and refinement are expected before the Town Council and Planning Commission begin their official deliberations later this year.


  • Calling a Public Hearing for LUMO Text Amendments

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    At their September 24, 2025, meeting the Chapel Hill Town Council will have the opportunity to call a public hearing to discuss proposed changes to the Town’s Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO). If Town Council decides to call the hearing, their first public discussion on the proposed changes will be held during their October 22, 2025, meeting.

    The proposed changes are related to the broader “Rewriting Our Rules” project to comprehensively update the LUMO. However, the comprehensive LUMO update will be considered by Council separately at a later date.

    At least three public meetings must be held before the Town Council can adopt the proposed changes. Each of these three meetings will include opportunities for public comment on the proposed changes. All are welcome to share their thoughts on the proposed changes during these meetings:

    • Planning Commission – October 7 at 6:00 pm (Virtual)

    • Town Council – October 22 at 6:00 pm (Chapel Hill Town Hall)

    • Town Council – November 19 at 6:00 pm (Chapel Hill Town Hall)

    Meeting agendas, related materials, and links to the virtual Planning Commission meeting will all be available on the Town Calendar.

    At their September 24, 2025, meeting the Chapel Hill Town Council will have the opportunity to call a public hearing to discuss proposed changes to the Town’s Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO). If Town Council decides to call the hearing, their first public discussion on the proposed changes will be held during their October 22, 2025, meeting.

    The proposed changes are related to the broader “Rewriting Our Rules” project to comprehensively update the LUMO. However, the comprehensive LUMO update will be considered by Council separately at a later date.

    At least three public meetings must be held before the Town Council can adopt the proposed changes. Each of these three meetings will include opportunities for public comment on the proposed changes. All are welcome to share their thoughts on the proposed changes during these meetings:

    • Planning Commission – October 7 at 6:00 pm (Virtual)

    • Town Council – October 22 at 6:00 pm (Chapel Hill Town Hall)

    • Town Council – November 19 at 6:00 pm (Chapel Hill Town Hall)

    Meeting agendas, related materials, and links to the virtual Planning Commission meeting will all be available on the Town Calendar.

  • Council Discussion Items 5/28/25

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    At the May 28th Work Session, Town Council received a report on the progress of the LUMO updates as well as the Natural Features Model. Here’s the link to read the materials and/or watch the Council meeting video.

    At the May 28th Work Session, Town Council received a report on the progress of the LUMO updates as well as the Natural Features Model. Here’s the link to read the materials and/or watch the Council meeting video.

  • Past Public Meetings

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    Between January and May 2024, Town Planning staff hosted 31 engagements with 327 participants

    • 11 Public Information Meetings, 50 participants
    • 11 pop-up events, 140 participants
    • 7 stakeholder meetings, 137 participants
    • 2 sessions of a Planning Ambassador pilot cohort

    Between January and May 2024, Town Planning staff hosted 31 engagements with 327 participants

    • 11 Public Information Meetings, 50 participants
    • 11 pop-up events, 140 participants
    • 7 stakeholder meetings, 137 participants
    • 2 sessions of a Planning Ambassador pilot cohort

  • Past Council Meetings

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    June 17, 2024 – Council Regular Meeting

    • Meeting Topics
    1. Neighborhood Conservation Districts
    2. Missing Middle Housing
    3. Design and Dimension Standards
    1. Staff Memo

    May 15, 2024 – Council Regular Meeting

    • Meeting Topics
    1. Administrative Approvals
    2. Conditional Zoning Process Improvements
    3. Update on WASMPBA Planning Process
    1. Staff Memo

    April 24, 2024 – Council Regular Meeting

    • Meeting Topics
    1. Racial Equity Analysis
    2. Affordable Housing Economic Analysis
    1. Staff Memo

    March 13, 2024 – Work Session

    • Meeting Topics
    1. Community Benefits
    2. Economic Constraints
    1. Staff Memo
    2. Typology Resource Guide

    February 21, 2024 – Work Session

    • Meeting Topics
    1. Local Zoning Authority
    2. Student Housing
    3. Drive-Throughs and Shelters
    4. Environmental Policy
    1. Staff Memo

    January 17, 2024 – Work Session

    • Meeting Topics
    1. Missing Middle Housing
    2. Subdivision Standards
    3. Flag Lots
    1. Staff Memo

    November 13, 2023 – Work Session

    • Meeting Topics
    1. Proposed Zoning Districts
    2. Building and Site Design Standards
    3. Affordable Housing Incentives
    1. Staff Memo
    2. Draft Zoning District Proposal
    3. Briefing Book: Feasibility of Density Bonuses to Support Community Benefits

    October 18, 2023 – Work Session

    • Meeting Topics
    1. By-Right Development
    2. Development Intensity in FLUM Focus Areas
    3. Mixed-Use Districts
    4. Parking Minimums
    5. Regulations for Single-Family Homes
    1. Staff Memo

    June 21, 2023 – Information Item

    • Recommended documents to review:
    1. Summary Report
    2. Plan Alignment Memo
    3. LUMO Audit Report

    June 17, 2024 – Council Regular Meeting

    • Meeting Topics
    1. Neighborhood Conservation Districts
    2. Missing Middle Housing
    3. Design and Dimension Standards
    1. Staff Memo

    May 15, 2024 – Council Regular Meeting

    • Meeting Topics
    1. Administrative Approvals
    2. Conditional Zoning Process Improvements
    3. Update on WASMPBA Planning Process
    1. Staff Memo

    April 24, 2024 – Council Regular Meeting

    • Meeting Topics
    1. Racial Equity Analysis
    2. Affordable Housing Economic Analysis
    1. Staff Memo

    March 13, 2024 – Work Session

    • Meeting Topics
    1. Community Benefits
    2. Economic Constraints
    1. Staff Memo
    2. Typology Resource Guide

    February 21, 2024 – Work Session

    • Meeting Topics
    1. Local Zoning Authority
    2. Student Housing
    3. Drive-Throughs and Shelters
    4. Environmental Policy
    1. Staff Memo

    January 17, 2024 – Work Session

    • Meeting Topics
    1. Missing Middle Housing
    2. Subdivision Standards
    3. Flag Lots
    1. Staff Memo

    November 13, 2023 – Work Session

    • Meeting Topics
    1. Proposed Zoning Districts
    2. Building and Site Design Standards
    3. Affordable Housing Incentives
    1. Staff Memo
    2. Draft Zoning District Proposal
    3. Briefing Book: Feasibility of Density Bonuses to Support Community Benefits

    October 18, 2023 – Work Session

    • Meeting Topics
    1. By-Right Development
    2. Development Intensity in FLUM Focus Areas
    3. Mixed-Use Districts
    4. Parking Minimums
    5. Regulations for Single-Family Homes
    1. Staff Memo

    June 21, 2023 – Information Item

    • Recommended documents to review:
    1. Summary Report
    2. Plan Alignment Memo
    3. LUMO Audit Report
Page last updated: 08 Sep 2026, 03:10 PM