The Town of Hillsborough is working to update and modernize its unified development ordinance.

The Unified Development Ordinance contains rules that govern how land may be used and developed in town. It includes regulations related to stormwater and to zoning and land subdivision. The ordinance rewrite will be guided by the Comprehensive Sustainability Plan, which serves as Hillsborough's framework for future development. 

“We need to update our development regulations in order to grow in the way that we heard our residents want when we conducted engagement for the Comprehensive Sustainability Plan,” said Planning and Economic Development Manager Shannan Campbell. “This includes providing incentives for sustainability initiatives, flexibility in lot sizes and setbacks, and modernization of the table of permitted uses and definitions sections, among others.” 

In the town’s current ordinance, no incentives are offered for sustainability initiatives. In addition, setbacks — the allowed space between a building and the property line — vary greatly in each zoning district. For more information on the current ordinance, see the Unified Development Ordinance page.

Project and Timeline

Inspire Placemaking Collective is facilitating the update and is now researching and assessing the current ordinance.

A public open house for residents to drop in and learn about the update process is scheduled for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 23 at the Hillsborough Town Hall Annex, 105 E. Corbin St. The consultant is expected to briefly present the planned process to the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners at the board’s work session in the same location at 7 p.m. 

Additional engagement is expected to occur through the summer, with more open houses this August and in May 2026 for residents to provide feedback.

Board review and public meetings will take place May-August 2026, with final adoption expected in August 2026. 

The consulting team of planning and urban design experts has extensive experience in providing ordinance updates to municipalities across the Southeast. 

Stay Informed

To learn more about the project, visit the Unified Development Ordinance Rewrite page.

For regular updates:

•  See the town's News page.
•  Subscribe to the town's news releases.
•  Follow the town's social media.
•  Join the project mailing list.