The Corridor Design Overlay, or CDO, is a zoning tool that requires specific design standards for development in a designated area. It can provide incremental improvements to commercial districts and corridors. Corridor Design Overlays create development standards above and beyond that in the base zoning. They do not affect the uses allowed or prohibited on a property. The Corridor Design Overlay Summary Sheet (Corridor Design Overlay Summary Sheet in Spanish) provides more information about this tool.
Since it is a zone change, a Corridor Design Overlay request follows the zone change process.
Information about specific legislation can be found at Metro's Legislative Information Center.
Design Standards
Ordinance BL2019-1540 created the Corridor Design Overlay and includes a full list of design standards which include
- Signage
- Landscaping
- Building materials on the front facades of buildings
Application and Fees
There is no application or fee for a Corridor Design Overlay. The Department of Codes and Building Safety has special requirements for building permits within a Corridor Design Overlay.