Charlotte Capital Improvement Priority Process - Ordinance

Utilities and Infrastructure North Carolina 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 06, 2026 Flag of North Carolina

In Charlotte, North Carolina the capital improvement priority setting process organizes how the city evaluates, ranks, and funds major public works and infrastructure projects. The City of Charlotte publishes an annual Capital Investment Plan (CIP) and related guidance that explains submission timelines, department roles, and public engagement for transportation, stormwater, parks, and municipal facilities; see the official CIP page for program details and schedules City Capital Investment Plan[1].

How the priority process works

The process typically includes project nomination by departments, technical screening, scoring against city strategic priorities, fiscal capacity review, and final adoption by City Council as part of the budget cycle. Departments coordinate project scope, estimated cost, and phasing, and capital projects are grouped by category (transportation, stormwater, parks, facilities). Public hearings and community input occur before Council adoption.

Public input is considered during scoring and before Council approval.

Key participants and roles

  • City departments (Finance, Planning, Transportation, Parks) prepare and submit project proposals.
  • Office of Budget/Finance compiles project lists, runs fiscal analysis, and presents the proposed CIP to City Council.
  • City Council reviews, holds hearings, and adopts the Capital Investment Plan within the annual budget ordinance.

Public engagement and transparency

Charlotte routinely posts CIP documents, schedules, and public hearing notices on official city pages and Council agendas. Residents may testify at hearings, submit written comments, and contact the relevant department project manager during the nomination and draft review periods.

Attend scheduled public hearings and contact the project manager early to influence scopes.

Penalties & Enforcement

The capital improvement priority setting process itself is administrative and does not prescribe criminal penalties; specific enforcement for related site work, encroachments, permitting violations, or contract noncompliance is handled under separate city codes, permits, and contract terms. Fine amounts, escalation, and some sanctions are not specified on the cited CIP page and must be confirmed in the controlling permitting or code sections cited by the enforcing department [1].

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited CIP page; see permitting and code citations from enforcing departments.
  • Escalation (first/repeat/continuing offences): not specified on the cited CIP page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to halt work, corrective actions, permit suspensions, contract remedies, or civil actions may apply under separate authorities.
  • Enforcers: permitting and inspections, city attorney, and department project managers enforce compliance; complaints and inspections are initiated through department contacts and official complaint pages.
  • Appeal/review routes: administrative appeals and Council review are controlled by the specific permitting or ordinance; time limits are not specified on the cited CIP page.

Applications & Forms

The city publishes guidance for capital project submissions, but a specific universal "Capital Project Request Form" is not listed on the cited CIP overview page; applicants should contact the Office of Budget/Finance or the relevant department for current forms and deadlines [1].

Action steps to participate

  • Identify the applicable project category (transportation, stormwater, parks, facilities).
  • Check the CIP schedule and deadlines on the official CIP page.
  • Contact the department project manager to request submission guidance and required documentation.
  • Submit written comments and attend public hearings during the draft CIP review.
  • If a project is adopted, monitor funding, permitting, and construction phases through department updates.

FAQ

How can residents influence CIP priorities?
Residents can attend public hearings, submit written comments during the draft CIP period, and contact department project managers to request consideration of projects in their neighborhoods.
Who decides which projects are funded?
Departments score and recommend projects; the Office of Budget/Finance compiles proposals and City Council adopts the final CIP as part of the budget ordinance.
Are there fees to submit a project?
The CIP nomination process does not list a submission fee on the cited CIP page; contact the relevant department for any application fees or required studies.

How-To

  1. Review the current Capital Investment Plan and CIP schedule on the official city page.
  2. Contact the relevant department (transportation, parks, stormwater, facilities) to request submission requirements.
  3. Prepare project documentation: scope, preliminary cost estimate, community impact, and supporting maps or petitions.
  4. Submit materials by the published deadline and register to speak at any public hearings.
  5. After adoption, follow up with the department project manager on funding, design, permits, and construction timelines.

Key Takeaways

  • The CIP is a multi-step, department-driven process culminating in Council adoption.
  • Public input is scheduled and influential if submitted during the draft review period.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Charlotte - Capital Investment Plan

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