Airport Overlay District (-AOD) Requirements
The City of Raleigh Airport Overlay District (-AOD) protects the operational efficiency of aviation facilities and major transportation corridors while shielding the public from the adverse health effects of aircraft noise. The district strictly prohibits all forms of household and group living and mandates that building heights comply with the more restrictive of the City's underlying zoning or the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority regulations. Furthermore, any permitted outdoor storage must be shielded by an extensive tree canopy covering at least 35% of the total site area [Sec. 5.2.1].
Intent and Applicability
The Airport Overlay District (-AOD) is established by the City of Raleigh to control land use type and design in proximity to aviation facilities, highways, arterials, and major streets. Its primary objectives include ensuring the attractiveness of major gateways to the City and protecting residents from annoyance and health risks associated with aircraft noise. Consequently, the City of Raleigh prohibits residential developments in these areas, as residents in these zones are less capable of self-protecting against noise [Sec. 5.1.1.B.1].
Prohibited Uses
The City of Raleigh Part 10 UDO explicitly prohibits several use categories within the Airport Overlay District (-AOD) regardless of the underlying zoning permissions.
| Use Category | Specifically Prohibited Uses |
|---|---|
| Residential | All household living and all group living [Sec. 5.2.1.A.3]. |
| Social Service | All social service uses, including Emergency Shelter Type A, Emergency Shelter Type B, and Religious Shelter Units [Sec. 5.2.1.A.3, Sec. 6.2.3.B.2.e, Sec. 6.8.2.H.7]. |
| Civic | All civic uses except for cemeteries and police, fire, and EMS stations [Sec. 5.2.1.A.3]. |
| Institutional | Day cares, hospitals, detention centers, jails, and prisons [Sec. 5.2.1.A.3]. |
| Industrial/Open | Resource extraction and landfills [Sec. 5.2.1.A.3]. |
| Advertising | Off-premise signs [Sec. 5.2.1.A.3]. |
| Noxious Uses | Any activity involving dangerous, noxious, or offensive impacts, including excessive smoke, odor, noise, glare, fumes, vibration, or interference with radio/TV/navigation [Sec. 5.2.1.A.3]. |
Use Standards for Allowed Uses
While most underlying uses are permitted if not specifically prohibited above, the City of Raleigh imposes strict standards for outdoor storage and concrete/cement mixing plants within the Airport Overlay District (-AOD) [Sec. 5.2.1.A.2].
Landscaping and Shielding
All outdoor storage and mixing plant materials must be fully shielded by either a permanent overhead cover or a canopy of shade trees. These trees must meet the following technical criteria:
- Tree Frequency: At least 1 locally-adapted shade tree must be provided for every 2,000 square feet of total site area.
- Canopy Coverage: At maturity, the combined tree canopy must cover at least 35% of the total site area.
- Site Segmentation: For sites larger than 5 acres, the property must be divided into segments of no more than 5 acres. These segments must be separated by an expected canopy of shade trees at least 100 feet wide.
- Exclusion from Yards: These trees must be in addition to any trees required in a protective yard [Sec. 5.2.1.A.2].
Dimensional and Development Standards
Setbacks and Height
Within the Airport Overlay District (-AOD), building placement follows the rules of the underlying zoning district. However, height is regulated by both the City of Raleigh and the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority [Sec. 5.2.1.B].
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Setbacks | Setbacks of the underlying district apply [Sec. 5.2.1.B.1]. |
| Maximum Height | The maximum height limits of the underlying zoning district apply unless the height regulations adopted by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority are more restrictive [Sec. 5.2.1.B.2]. |
Lighting and Design
To ensure safety and visual consistency near aviation facilities, the City of Raleigh regulates the appearance and illumination of structures in the Airport Overlay District (-AOD).
- Lighting: All outdoor lighting must be "full cutoff." FAA-approved warning lights used to mark obstructions to aircraft are the only exception [Sec. 5.2.1.C.1].
- Signage Illumination: All illuminated signs must be shielded so that no direct glare is visible from above [Sec. 7.3.16.G.6].
- Rooftops: All rooftops must be uniform in color and constructed of non-reflective materials to prevent interference with pilot visibility [Sec. 5.2.1.C.2].
Sections Cited
- Sec. 1.3.3. Overlay Districts
- Sec. 5.1.1. District Intent Statements
- Sec. 5.2.1. Airport Overlay District (-AOD)
- Sec. 6.2.3. Social Service
- Sec. 6.8.2. Temporary Use Permit Required
- Sec. 7.3.16. General Sign Regulations