16.3.6 Glazing Requirements
A. Minimum Glazing
1. Facades requiring a frontage type, and frontage along Freeways or other similar NCDOT right-of-way, shall provide glazed window or door openings at the following minimum percentages:
Level Category |
Glazing Required |
|
---|---|---|
At Ground Floor |
||
Storefront and Arcade Frontage Types |
65% |
50% |
50% |
50% |
|
30% |
25% |
|
Courtyard Frontage Type |
30% |
30% |
Frontage along Freeways or other similar NCDOT right-of-way |
50% |
50% |
Podium Levels above Ground Floor |
25% |
25% |
All Levels above the Podium |
20% |
20% |
Exceptions to the above Criteria: |
||
Overnight Accommodations at Ground Floor2 |
30% |
25% |
Residential at Ground Floor |
30% |
25% |
Structured Parking |
See paragraph 16.3.2 |
1Slope is measured parallel to the street.
2This percentage shall apply only to the façades for the guest rooms at the ground floor. Facades for lobbies, restaurants, meeting rooms, or other accessory areas shall utilize the applicable standard.
2. Calculation Method
a. Each level category shall be calculated independently per façade, and each building elevation shall comply with each glazing requirement unless exempted or other requirement is indicated.
Example: A building utilizing the storefront frontage type shall demonstrate the glazing at the ground floor is at least 65% of the façade of that level, podium levels above street shall have a glazing of 25% of the aggregate of those levels, and 20% glazing of the aggregate of all levels above the podium.
b. Calculations shall be made from the finished floor elevation to finished floor elevation or finished roof surface, as applicable.
3. Exemptions and Exclusions
a. Courtyards with façades completely internal to the site and not applicable to the standards for the Courtyard Frontage Type are exempt from minimum glazing requirements.
b. The area of any exterior air intake louvers or vents used for mechanical equipment or HVAC systems can be subtracted from the total wall area when calculating glazing requirements.
c. Parapets, foundation walls, and at- or below-grade retaining walls, where there is no habitable space behind the walls, shall be excluded from glazing calculations.
B. Window Design Standards
All glazing used to meet requirements shall comply with the following standards to ensure visual interest:
1. Ground floor glazing shall have transparent glass. Mirrored and frosted glass shall not be used.
2. Ground floor glazing shall be maintained free of internal obstructions or partitions to a minimum depth of three feet.
3. Ground floor glazing shall not be obscured by materials applied to the inside of the glass including, but not limited to: paper, and paint. Signs allowed pursuant to Article 11, Sign Standards, are exempt from this requirement. Windows can be covered only when there is an active building permit.
4. Windows within the podium shall not contain grills interior to the glass.
5. Bars or other obstructions shall not be mounted onto windows.
6. In the CD-P(N) sub-district, upper-floor windows greater than 10 square feet in area shall be divided by a minimum of one muntin, mullion, or sash.