Allowed and Prohibited Uses in the OX- Office Mixed Use District of Raleigh
The Raleigh OX- Office Mixed Use district permits a broad range of residential and professional office uses by right, but strictly limits the scale of retail and service activities to 4,000 square feet or 15% of the gross floor area. Building heights in this district are determined by a mandatory suffix ranging from 3 to 40 stories, and most commercial activities require a parking ratio of one space per 200 square feet of gross floor area. Industrial activities and high-impact commercial uses, such as vehicle fuel sales and adult establishments, are prohibited within the City of Raleigh OX- designation.
Intent of the OX- Office Mixed Use District
The Raleigh OX- district is designed to provide for a variety of office and employment uses while simultaneously allowing for various housing options and limited retail and service-related businesses [Sec. 3.1.1.C]. The City of Raleigh intends for the OX- district to provide developments that balance employment and housing with convenient access to services, often serving as a land use transition between more intense mixed-use districts and residential neighborhoods [Sec. 3.1.1.C].
Allowed Principal Uses
The City of Raleigh permits a variety of uses in the OX- district, classified as Permitted (P), Limited (L), or Special (S). Uses not explicitly listed in the Unified Development Ordinance table as P, L, or S are considered prohibited [Sec. 6.1.5].
Residential Uses
- Permitted by Right: Single-unit living, two-unit living, multi-unit living (apartments and townhouses), and cottage courts [Sec. 6.1.4].
- Limited/Special: Multi-unit supportive housing and supportive housing residences are permitted as limited uses. Group living and continuing care retirement communities are permitted as special uses [Sec. 6.1.4].
Public and Institutional Uses
- Permitted by Right: Civic assembly, colleges, universities, and public/private K-12 schools [Sec. 6.1.4].
- Utilities: Minor utilities are permitted by right, while major utilities and telecommunication towers exceeding 250 feet require a special use permit [Sec. 6.1.4].
Commercial and Industrial Uses
- Permitted by Right: Medical facilities, professional offices, indoor recreation (such as dance or martial arts studios), and research and development facilities [Sec. 6.1.4].
- Limited Uses: Retail sales, personal services (beauty salons, copy centers), and eating establishments are allowed as limited uses [Sec. 6.1.4]. These must be contained within or attached to a multi-tenant building and cannot be standalone [Sec. 6.4.9.G, Sec. 6.4.11.D].
- Special Uses: Overnight lodging (hotels, motels) and day care centers [Sec. 6.1.4].
| Use Category | Principal Use | Permission Level |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | Multi-unit Living (Apartments) | Permitted (P) |
| Public/Inst. | Civic Assembly | Permitted (P) |
| Commercial | Office (Professional) | Permitted (P) |
| Commercial | Medical Facility | Permitted (P) |
| Commercial | Retail Sales | Limited (L) |
| Commercial | Eating Establishment | Limited (L) |
| Commercial | Hotel/Motel | Special (S) |
| Industrial | Research & Development | Permitted (P) |
Prohibited Uses in the OX- District
The City of Raleigh prohibits specific high-impact or industrial uses in the OX- district to maintain the professional and residential character of the area. Prohibited uses include:
- Adult Establishments: All adult cabarets and media centers [Sec. 6.1.4].
- Vehicle Sales and Service: Car washes, vehicle fuel sales, and vehicle repair (minor, major, or commercial) [Sec. 6.1.4].
- Heavy and Light Industrial: All heavy industrial activities, light manufacturing (with limited exceptions), self-service storage, warehouse and distribution, and waste-related services [Sec. 6.1.4].
- Open Uses: Restricted agriculture and resource extraction [Sec. 6.1.4].
- Mobile Retail: Pawn shops and vehicle fuel sales are specifically prohibited from mobile retail operations in this district [Sec. 6.4.11.C].
Technical Development Standards
Development in the Raleigh OX- district must adhere to specific base dimensional standards and parking requirements based on the building type and the assigned height suffix.
Base Dimensional Standards
Setbacks and site requirements vary significantly by building type within the OX- district.
| Standard | Detached House | Apartment | General Building |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot Width (min) | 45' | N/A | N/A |
| Primary Street Setback | 10' | 5' | 5' |
| Side Street Setback | 10' | 5' | 5' |
| Side Setback (min) | 5' | 0' or 6' | 0' or 6' |
| Rear Setback (min) | 20' | 0' or 6' | 0' or 6' |
Height Requirements
The OX- district must include a height designation. The maximum height is defined by the suffix following the "OX" label [Sec. 3.1.2, Sec. 3.3.1].
| Suffix | Maximum Stories | Maximum Feet |
|---|---|---|
| -3 | 3 stories | 50' |
| -4 | 4 stories | 68' |
| -5 | 5 stories | 80' |
| -7 | 7 stories | N/A |
| -12 | 12 stories | N/A |
Vehicle Parking Standards
Parking requirements in the City of Raleigh OX- district are determined by the specific use of the property [Sec. 7.1.2.C].
| Use Category | Maximum Vehicle Parking |
|---|---|
| Residential (Multi-unit) | 1.5 to 5 spaces per unit (varies by bedroom count) |
| Office | 1 space per 200 SF of gross floor area |
| Retail Sales | 1 space per 200 SF of gross floor area |
| Restaurant/Bar | 1 space per 100 SF of gross floor area |
| Medical Facility | No maximum |
Sections Cited
- Sec. 3.1.1. District Intent Statements
- Sec. 3.1.2. District Components
- Sec. 3.2.1. Detached House
- Sec. 3.2.4. Apartment
- Sec. 3.2.5. General Building
- Sec. 3.3.1. Height Applicability
- Sec. 6.1.4. Allowed Principal Use Table
- Sec. 6.1.5. Prohibited Uses
- Sec. 6.4.9. Personal Service Use Standards
- Sec. 6.4.11. Retail Sales Use Standards
- Sec. 7.1.2. Required Parking