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. It is guided by the Comprehensive Sustainability Plan, which serves as Hillsborough's framework for future development and for the transition to 100% clean energy.

The current Unified Development Ordinance is available on the town's website.

Rewrite

As the rewrite project progresses, drafts of the ordinance will be posted to this page for public review and comment.

Inspire Placemaking Collective is facilitating the update. The team of planning and urban design experts has extensive experience in providing ordinance updates to municipalities across the Southeast.

Zoning and Land Use

• Keep zoning consistent with established plans
• Incorporate sustainability, economic resilience, and equity goals

Procedures and Processes

• Ensure a responsive, predictable, and equitable review process
• Evaluate the energy efficiency of proposed developments
• Streamline the permitting process

Housing

• Encourage construction of accessory dwelling units
• Make developments accessible and connected
• Promote a variety of housing types that fill the missing middle housing gap

Parking

• Reduce surface parking
• Make requirements more simple and flexible
• Adopt electric vehicle charging requirements for developments
• Offer incentives to developers for electric vehicle charging infrastructure

Sidewalks and Signage

• Update payment in lieu system to require sidewalks, crosswalks and accessible ramps
• Prohibit barriers to connectivity
• Review sidewalk dining regulations
• Update signage regulations

Streets and Access

• Adopt universal design standards and complete streets policies
• Require developments to have bicycle and pedestrian connectivity
• Increase multimodal accessibility

The tentative schedule below will be updated as the project continues:

• Project Start — April 2025
• Research and Assessment — May to October 2025
• Drafts, Designs and Revisions — October 2025 to May 2026
• Board Review and Public Meetings — May to August 2026
• Final Adoption — August 2026

The project will include several opportunities for providing input, including opportunities for specific advisory groups and for the general public. Below is the planned schedule. See the town calendar for times and locations of public meetings.

• Technical Advisory Committee Meeting — May 2025
• Partner Group Interviews — May 2025
• Listening Session with Town Staff — May 2025
• Informational Public Open House — June 23, 2025
• Pop-up Engagement — July 24, 2025
• Technical Advisory Committee Meeting — Aug. 21, 2025
• Special Joint Public Meeting — Aug. 21, 2025
• Public Open House — Aug. 27, 2025
• Technical Advisory Committee Meetings — November 2025 to March 2026
• Public Open House — May 2026

For regular updates:

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

Project Mailing List

To be added to the project mailing list and notified of upcoming milestones and events, please sign up for our mailing list.

We value your engagement and your privacy. Your email address will not be shared outside of this project and will only be used for this rewrite project. You may receive up to four emails per month.