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35 <br /> Orange CounEy AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGIC PLAN 2016 -2020 <br /> BOCC Work E n September 8, 2016 <br /> S. Planning Initiatives to Further Affordable Housing <br /> Current Regulations Supporting Affordable Housing Opportunities <br /> Providing housing opportunities for residents in a range of income levels is essential for a well-balanced community. Local <br /> government land use controls that limit the supply of housing can be the primary reason for the lack of affordable housing. The <br /> urban services boundary implemented in Orange County regulates the location of water and sewer infrastructure and the supply <br /> of available land for development. This can limit the supply of developable land; create a higher demand and increase housing <br /> prices in the local real estate market. <br /> The Orange County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) contains standards and regulations allowing for and supporting <br /> affordable housing opportunities for Orange County residents as identified below: <br /> • The UDO does not set minimum square footage requirements for residential structures, which assists in reducing overall <br /> costs. Minimum room square footages and dimensions are consistent with the North Carolina State Building Code. <br /> • Orange County strives to allow for a variety of housing types for residents in the general use zoning districts, economic <br /> development zoning districts, and conditional zoning districts in Orange County. Many of these residential uses are <br /> permitted by right which reduces the amount of red tape and shortens the review process. <br /> • Apartments and other multifamily residential uses including townhomes and condominiums are permitted in Orange <br /> County. These uses are permitted by right in several residential zoning districts, general commercial zoning districts, <br /> economic development districts, and conditional zoning districts. <br /> • Two family dwellings (also known as a duplex) are permitted by right in several residential zoning districts, general <br /> commercial zoning districts, economic development districts, and conditional zoning districts. <br /> • Manufactured housing including mobile homes and modular homes are permitted by right on individual lots in several <br /> residential zoning districts, general commercial zoning districts, economic development districts, and conditional zoning <br /> districts. <br /> • Mobile home parks are permitted in the county with the creation of a Mobile Home Park- Conditional Zoning District. The <br /> purpose of the Mobile Home Park - Conditional Zoning (MHP-CZ) District is to provide for the development of properly <br /> located and planned facilities for mobile home parks. <br /> • Group care facilities are currently permitted in the county in nine residential zoning districts, six general commercial zoning <br /> districts, and one conditional zoning district with a Class B Special Use Permit. <br /> 33 <br />