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Article 11: Interpretation and Definitions
Section 11.3. Use Classifications and Interpretation
11.3.1. Principal Use Classification System
Morrisville, NC
June 23, 2017
Unified Development Ordinance
Page 11-5
Group Living Uses
The Group Living Uses category includes use types providing for the residential occupancy of a
group of living units by persons who do not constitute a single family and may receive some level
of personal care. Individual living units often consist of a single room or group of rooms without
cooking and eating facilities, but unlike a hotel/motel, are generally occupied on a monthly or
longer basis. Example use types include congregate living facilities, and rooming houses. Although
continuing care retirement communities include household living uses (e.g., dwellings) and health
care uses (e.g., nursing homes), they are categorized as a group living use because of their focus
on the present or future provision of personal care to senior citizens and their integration of various
uses as a single cohesive development. This use category does not include use types where persons
generally occupy living units for periods of less than 30 days (e.g., hotel/motels), which are
categorized as visitor accommodation uses. It also does not include use types where residents or
inpatients are routinely provided more than minor health care services (e.g., nursing homes), which
are categorized as health care uses. Accessory uses common to group living uses include
recreational facilities, administrative offices, and food preparation and dining facilities.
F.
Institutional Uses Classification
Community and Government Service Uses
The Community and Government Service Uses category includes use types of a public, nonprofit,
or charitable nature providing a local service (e.g., cultural, recreational, counseling, education,
training, religious) directly to people of the community. Generally, such uses provide ongoing
continued service on-site or have employees at the site on a regular basis. The category does not
include uses with a residential component. Example use types include clubs or lodges of community-
oriented associations, colleges and universities, community centers, day care centers, emergency
services, administrative government services, government maintenance/storage/distribution
facilities, places of worship, public cultural facilities (e.g. libraries, museums), public parks and
recreation facilities, and schools. This use category does not include private or commercial health
clubs or recreational facilities (categorized as recreation/entertainment uses), or counseling in an
office setting (categorized as an office use), or passenger terminals for public transportation
services, park and ride terminals, or water, wastewater, gas, electric, or other infrastructure services
(categorized as transportation, communication, and utility uses). Accessory uses may include offices,
meeting areas, food preparation and dining areas, health and therapy areas, and indoor and
outdoor recreational facilities.
Health Care Uses
The Health Care Uses category includes use types providing a variety of health care services,
including surgical or other intensive care and treatment, various types of medical treatment, nursing
care, preventative care, diagnostic and laboratory services, and physical therapy. Care may be
provided on an inpatient, overnight, or outpatient basis. Example use types include hospitals,
nursing homes, medical/dental offices, urgent care facilities, and wellness centers. This use category
does not include congregate living facilities, which focus on providing personal care rather than
medical care to residents, and are categorized as group living uses. Accessory uses may include
food preparation and dining facilities, recreation areas, offices, meeting rooms, teaching facilities,
hospices, maintenance facilities, staff residences, and limited accommodations for members of
patients’ families.
Transportation and Utility Uses
The Transportation, Communication, and Utility Uses category includes uses and facilities providing
transportation, communication, and utility services. Services may be publicly or privately provided
and may include on-site personnel. Example use types include bus and transit stations, park and
ride terminals, railroad yards, broadcast stations and studios, telecommunications towers and
telecommunication facilities, major utility facilities (infrastructure services that provide regional or