Wayfinding Signs

New wayfinding signs will guide people into downtown, the University area including the hospital and sporting attractions, and other key attractions such as parks and community centers. The project is just one piece of the Town’s efforts to improve signage for residents and visitors, as directed by the Town Council. The scope of this project is limited to signs that will direct automobile traffic to the general destinations in Chapel Hill. Future projects will address pedestrian-scale signs and parking signs, especially in downtown.

Chapel Hill Town Limit

The corporate limits of the Town.

Watershed Protection District

The Watershed Protection District (printable map - PDF) is a sensitive area of land that drains to Jordan Lake Reservoir, a drinking water source for thousands of North Carolinians, and a potential future drinking water source for Chapel Hill. As part of the NC Division of Water Quality’s Water Supply Watershed Development Regulations, land use within this area has strict requirements for density, Resource Conservation Districts, use of toxic materials, and construction standards.

Rural Buffer

An area surrounding Chapel Hill and Carrboro that will remain at lower density. The Rural Buffer defines the urban services boundary and the limit of Chapel Hill and Carrboro’s growth.

Neighborhood Conservation Districts

Within the Town of Chapel Hill there are unique and distinctive older in-town residential neighborhoods or commercial district which contribute significantly to the overall character and identity of the Town. As a matter of public policy, the Town Council aims to preserve, protect, enhance, and perpetuate the value of these residential neighborhoods or commercial districts through the establishment of Neighborhood Conservation Districts.

Chapel Hill ETJ Planning Jurisdiction

This area is subject to Chapel Hill’s Land Use Management Ordinance for development activities.

• Map of Chapel Hill Planning Areas

Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements
Funded by voter-approved bonds.

The Town of Chapel Hill is constantly making improvements for the betterment of the community. To learn more, visit the Capital Improvement Projects page, which lists Capital Improvement Projects established by the Council with input from citizens.