City of Raleigh Zoning: DOD - Downtown Overlay District (Legacy)
In the City of Raleigh, the DOD: Downtown Overlay District is classified as a "Legacy District," meaning it is part of the older Part 10 Zoning Code and is slated for eventual replacement by current Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) districts. Under the City of Raleigh UDO, no new DOD areas can be established, and the boundaries of existing DOD districts cannot be modified [Section 1.3.4].
Legal Status and Limitations of the DOD
The City of Raleigh identifies the DOD: Downtown Overlay District specifically as a district that exists to maintain historical continuity but is being phased out in favor of modern UDO classifications. Because the DOD is a legacy district, its specific dimensional and use requirements are housed in the older Part 10 Zoning Code rather than being fully detailed within the current UDO supplements [Section 1.3.4].
Legacy District Restrictions
The following table summarizes the administrative restrictions placed on the DOD and other legacy districts in the City of Raleigh.
| Regulation Category | Limitation / Requirement | UDO Section |
|---|---|---|
| Establishment | No new Legacy Districts may be added to the Official Zoning Map. | Sec. 1.3.4 |
| Boundary Changes | Boundaries of existing Legacy Districts may not be modified. | Sec. 1.3.4 |
| District Type | May exist as a general use district or a conditional district. | Sec. 1.3.4 |
| Transition | Intended to be eventually replaced by a current UDO zoning district. | Sec. 1.3.4 |
Current Downtown Regulation: The DX- District
While the DOD exists for older properties, the current active mechanism for downtown development in the City of Raleigh is the DX-: Downtown Mixed Use District. This district is intended to provide for intense mixed-use development in the City’s core [Section 3.1.1.F].
Specialized Requirements for Downtown Development
New developments in the City of Raleigh's downtown area (primarily zoned DX-) must adhere to specialized standards for parking, signage, and building form that differ from standard residential or commercial districts.
| Standard Category | Specific Requirement for Downtown (DX-) | UDO Section |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Parking Max | Max 2 spaces per unit (1.5 for studio/1-bedroom units). | Sec. 7.1.3.A.1 |
| Structured Parking | Ground stories must contain active uses (residential, office, retail, etc.). | Sec. 7.1.3.A.2 |
| Wall Signage | Signs may be mounted to functional retaining walls (extending max 12"). | Sec. 7.3.4.D |
| Digital Signage | Allowed as wall signs (max 750 sf) for civic buildings with 10k+ seating. | Sec. 7.3.13.N.1 |
| Building Height | Ranges from 3 stories (-3) to 40 stories (-40). | Sec. 3.3.1.A |
Height and Story Requirements
Each district in the City of Raleigh includes a numerical height designation. For example, a property zoned DX-20 would be limited to a maximum of 20 stories. In specific downtown scenarios where a lot slopes downward from a primary street, one additional story may be permitted on the lower portion of the lot [Section 1.5.7.A.7].
Sections Cited
- Section 1.3.4 Legacy Districts
- Section 1.5.7 Height
- Section 3.1.1 District Intent Statements
- Section 3.3.1 Height Requirements (Applicability)
- Section 7.1.3 Specialized Vehicle Parking Requirements
- Section 7.3.4 Wall Signs
- Section 7.3.13 Special Sign Types