Rewriting our Rules: LUMO Update

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Background & Context

First adopted in 2003, the current Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) is more than twenty years old. 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?

The official legislative process – which could end with a formal vote to adopt the updated LUMO – is now underway.

Upcoming meetings include:

  • Town Council: November 18, 2026 at 6:00PM (Chapel Hill Town Hall)
    • This will be the first meeting at which Town Council has the opportunity to adopt the updated LUMO. However, the Council may choose to hold additional meetings to continue deliberation and consider amendments to the draft LUMO. Additional meetings could be held on December 9th or early next year.

Public comment will be welcome at each of these meetings. You can also share your thoughts by emailing mayorandcouncil@chapelhillnc.gov.

Past meetings include:

What's in the draft LUMO?

The draft LUMO is 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.

You can download the most recent draft LUMO in two parts: Articles 1 - 10 and Appendices A - C. This "Revision Guide" outlines the major changes that have been made to the draft LUMO since it was first published in July. A more comprehensive "Reference Guide" provides a detailed overview of the content of the draft LUMO.

You can download earlier drafts of the LUMO by following the links in the "Helpful Documents" section of this page. Although we're no longer taking comments on the draft, you can still view the online version of the July draft and read any comments that were left in it here.

How can I comment on the new draft LUMO?

Since official hearings have begun, we're no longer taking comments directly in the draft document. We encourage you to attend any of the upcoming public hearings to share your thoughts and email the Town Council at mayorandcouncil@chapelhillnc.gov.

Background & Context

First adopted in 2003, the current Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) is more than twenty years old. 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?

The official legislative process – which could end with a formal vote to adopt the updated LUMO – is now underway.

Upcoming meetings include:

  • Town Council: November 18, 2026 at 6:00PM (Chapel Hill Town Hall)
    • This will be the first meeting at which Town Council has the opportunity to adopt the updated LUMO. However, the Council may choose to hold additional meetings to continue deliberation and consider amendments to the draft LUMO. Additional meetings could be held on December 9th or early next year.

Public comment will be welcome at each of these meetings. You can also share your thoughts by emailing mayorandcouncil@chapelhillnc.gov.

Past meetings include:

What's in the draft LUMO?

The draft LUMO is 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.

You can download the most recent draft LUMO in two parts: Articles 1 - 10 and Appendices A - C. This "Revision Guide" outlines the major changes that have been made to the draft LUMO since it was first published in July. A more comprehensive "Reference Guide" provides a detailed overview of the content of the draft LUMO.

You can download earlier drafts of the LUMO by following the links in the "Helpful Documents" section of this page. Although we're no longer taking comments on the draft, you can still view the online version of the July draft and read any comments that were left in it here.

How can I comment on the new draft LUMO?

Since official hearings have begun, we're no longer taking comments directly in the draft document. We encourage you to attend any of the upcoming public hearings to share your thoughts and email the Town Council at mayorandcouncil@chapelhillnc.gov.

CLOSED: This quick poll has concluded.
Share What aspects of LUMO would you like to learn more about? on Facebook Share What aspects of LUMO would you like to learn more about? on X (formerly Twitter) Share What aspects of LUMO would you like to learn more about? on Linkedin Email What aspects of LUMO would you like to learn more about? link

What aspects of LUMO would you like to learn more about?

How LUMO can help create a more connected Chapel Hill
27%
How LUMO can help create a more sustainable Chapel Hill
33%
How LUMO can help create a more inclusive Chapel Hill
20%
How LUMO can help create a more vibrant Chapel Hill
20%
Total Votes : 15
Page last updated: 02 Nov 2026, 01:39 PM