Definitions.
Charlotte City Code § 14-1
in effectSec. 14-1. - Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
ADA means the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Bicycle means as defined in G.S. 20-171.8.
Commercial Vehicle, Large means as defined in Article 2.3 of the Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance.
Commercial Vehicle, Light means as defined in Article 2.3 of the Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance.
Commercial Vehicle, Medium means as defined in Article 2.3 of the Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance.
Crosswalk means:
(1) That portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of the lateral lines of sidewalks at intersections.
(2) Any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.
Department means the city department of transportation.
Director means the director of the department of transportation or his designees.
Driver means the operator of a vehicle, as defined in this section. The terms "driver" and "operator" and their cognates are synonymous.
Electric assisted bicycle means a bicycle with two or three wheels that is equipped with a seat or saddle for use by the rider, fully operable pedals for human propulsion, and an electric motor of no more than 750 watts, whose maximum speed on a level surface when powered solely by such a motor is no greater than 20 miles per hour.
Electric standup scooter means a device with no more than three 12-inch or smaller diameter wheels that has handlebars, is designed to be stood upon by the user while riding, and is powered by an electric motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion at a speed no greater than 15 miles per hour on a paved level surface. The device shall not exceed 50 pounds in weight.
Electric vehicle supply/service equipment (EVSE) means the equipment designed and used for the purpose of transferring energy from the electric supply system to a plug-in electric vehicle. "EVSE" may deliver either alternating current or, consistent with fast charging equipment standards, direct current electricity. "EVSE" is synonymous with "electric vehicle charging station.
Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) means the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum loaded weight of a vehicle. The gross vehicle weight rating of a combination vehicle is the gross vehicle weight rating of the power unit plus the gross vehicle weight rating of the towed unit. When a vehicle is determined by an enforcement officer to be structurally altered from the manufacturer's original design, the license weight or the total weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles may be deemed as the gross vehicle weight rating for the purpose of enforcing this chapter.
Highway means the entire width between property or right-of-way lines of every way or place of whatever nature, when any part thereof is open to the use of the public as a matter of right for the purposes of vehicular traffic. The terms "street" and "highway" and their cognates are synonymous.
Intersection means the area embraced within the prolongation of the lateral curblines or, if none, the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two or more highways which join one another at any angle whether or not one such highway crosses the other. Where a highway includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, every crossing of each roadway of such divided highway by an intersecting highway shall be regarded as a separate intersection. If such intersecting highway also includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, every crossing of two roadways of such highways shall be regarded as a separate intersection.
Median means that portion of a street or highway, which physically separates the lanes of vehicular traffic.
Motor vehicle means every vehicle, which is self-propelled, and every vehicle designed to run upon the highways, which is pulled by a self-propelled vehicle. This does not include mopeds as defined in G.S. 20-4.01(27)j, electric-assisted bicycles, or electric standup scooters.
Official time standard. Whenever certain hours are named in this chapter, they shall mean standard time or daylight saving time as may be in current use in the city.
Official traffic control devices means all signs, signals, markings and devices, whether temporary or permanent, not inconsistent with this chapter, placed or erected by proper authority for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic or parking, including parking meters.
Official traffic signal means any device, whether manually, electrically, or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
Operator means a person in actual physical control of a vehicle which is in motion or which has the engine running. The terms "operator" and "driver" and their cognates are synonymous.
Park means the standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading.
Pedestrian means any person afoot.
Plug-in electric vehicle means as defined in G.S. 20-4.01(28b).
Police officer means any officer of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and any other officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations.
Private road and private driveway mean every road or driveway not open to the use of the public as a matter of right for the purpose of vehicular traffic.
Public bicycle path means as defined in G.S. 20-171.8.
Railroad means a carrier, including the city, of persons or property upon cars, other than streetcars, operated upon stationary rails.
Right-of-way means the privilege of the immediate use of the roadway.
Roadway means that portion of a street improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the shoulder. If a highway includes two or more separate roadways, the term "roadway" refers to any such roadway separately but not to all such roadways collectively.
Safety zone means the traffic island or other space officially set aside within a highway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and which is so plainly marked or indicated by proper signs as to be plainly visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone.
Sidewalk means that portion of a street between the curblines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines intended for the use of pedestrians.
Standing means any stopping of a vehicle, whether occupied or not.
Stop, when required, means complete cessation of movement.
Stop and stopping, when prohibited, mean any stopping of a vehicle except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of a police officer or traffic control sign or signal.
Street means a highway, as defined in this section. The terms "street" and "highway" and their cognates are synonymous.
Traffic means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars, and other conveyances either singly or together while using any street for purposes of travel.
Vehicle means every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a street or highway, except devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon fixed rails or tracks. For the purposes of this chapter, bicycles, electric assisted bicycles, and electric standup scooters shall be deemed vehicles. Every rider of a bicycle, electric assisted bicycle, or electric standup scooter upon a highway shall be subject to the sections of this chapter applicable to the driver of a vehicle except those which by their nature can have no application. This term shall not include a device which is designed for and intended to be used as a means of transportation for a person with a mobility impairment, or who uses the device for mobility enhancement, is suitable for use both inside and outside a building, including on sidewalks, and is limited by design to 15 miles per hour when the device is being operated by a person with a mobility impairment, or who uses the device for mobility enhancement. This term shall not include an electric personal assistive mobility device as defined in G.S. 20-4.01(7b).
(Code 1985, § 14-1; Ord. No. 2667, § 1, 8-23-2004; Ord. No. 3655, § 2, 7-23-2007; Ord. No. 9490, § 1.A, 1-14-2019; Ord. No. 649, § 1, 11-13-2023)
Source: City of Charlotte, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nc/charlotte/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH14MOVETR_ARTIINGE_S14-1DEFetched: 10/27/2026