Program Guidelines: The Expedited Commercial Plan Review process is offered to give premium service for complete, accurate, and straightforward development plans.  Eligible review types and project scope are commercial grading, landscape, tree preservation, and tree ordinance (see exclusions). Site designers participating in this process are required to make quality submittals, which result in project approval within a maximum of two (2) submittals. 

1. Expedited Commercial Plan Reviews are scheduled by appointment only.  Two (2) slots are available per week (see table below for available slots). 
2. Application information must be complete prior to schedule confirmation. Go to Expedited Plan Review Application and complete.
3. Appointments will be confirmed by email.

Minimum submittal and plan requirements must be met and strict scheduling limits must be adhered to in order for a project review to proceed within this process. Re-submittals turned in ahead of schedule will not be reviewed until the scheduled review day. (See sample schedule).

• Sample Expedited Commercial Plan Review Calendar
• Expedited Review - First Submittal Flow Chart
• Expedited Review - Resubmittal Flow Chart

Plan Package submittal must include:

1. Completed Expedited Commercial Plan Review Application form required with each submittal and resubmittals.
2. All plans must be folded to 8 ½" x 11" with title block visible.
3. No hard cover binders.
4. Correct number of plans with the associated documents (i.e., Financial Responsibility Form, calculations, etc.).

All submittals are subject to a Gateway Review to ensure the submittal is complete and available for a comprehensive review.  Decisions by City staff regarding completeness of a submittal or eligibility of a project for this review process are final and cannot be appealed.     

All fees will need to be paid at the time of the initial submittal of plans to the City of Charlotte's Land Development Office.   Occasionally, additional fees may need to be assessed at the time of plan approval.  The owner and design professional will receive notification via phone and email advising of the outstanding fees due upon pickup of approved plans.   

Payment methods are cash, credit card, check (payable to the "City of Charlotte"), or an established Mecklenburg County account.  The owner is responsible for all outstanding fee payments.

• FY10 User Fee Schedule

Project Exclusions:

• Speculative grading/mass grading plans – complete site development plans required;
• Projects proposing floodway encroachment; unless Floodland Development permit is obtained and presented with submittal;
• Projects proposing disturbance to wetlands or jurisdictional channels;
• Projects subject to the Subdivision Ordinance;
• Projects under Urban Design zonings and overlays (Including UMUD. MUDD, TOD, PED, and TS);
• Excessively large or complex projects – determined on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of City staff
• Projects proposing Swim Buffer encroachment, unless written permission is obtained and approved from Mecklenburg County LUESA;
• Major CDOT review; and
• Projects involving NCDOT