CMP: Campus District Setback Standards in Raleigh

In the City of Raleigh, the CMP: Campus District is designed to facilitate the growth and development of institutions like hospitals, colleges, and universities while protecting surrounding neighborhoods. The base dimensional standards for this district require a minimum primary street setback of 5 feet, a side street setback of 5 feet, and an interior side or rear setback of 10 feet [Sec. 4.6.1.B]. These base requirements may be further modified through an approved Campus Master Plan or affected by specific neighborhood transition regulations when the campus property abuts a residential district [Sec. 4.6.2.A, Sec. 3.5.1.A].

Base Dimensional Setbacks

The following table outlines the standard minimum setback requirements for the CMP: Campus District within the City of Raleigh. These distances represent the minimum separation required between a building and its respective property lines or rights-of-way.

Setback Type	Minimum Requirement
Primary Street Setback	5 feet
Side Street Setback	5 feet
Interior Side Setback	10 feet
Rear Setback	10 feet

Modification via Campus Master Plan

The City of Raleigh allows for flexibility in the CMP: Campus District through the use of a Campus Master Plan. Once a Master Plan is approved by the City Council, the specific standards for building setbacks, as well as height and building placement, can be modified from the base requirements listed above [Sec. 4.6.2.A]. If a specific standard is not explicitly modified in the approved Master Plan, the base district standards remain the default requirement that must be followed [Sec. 4.6.3.B.1].

Neighborhood Transition Requirements

Setbacks in the City of Raleigh's CMP: Campus District are subject to additional scrutiny when the development site immediately abuts a residential district (R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, or R-10). These "Neighborhood Transitions" are designed to protect the character of adjacent homes [Sec. 3.5.1.A].

Transition Zones

When these conditions are met, the City of Raleigh defines specific transition zones that act as extended setbacks or restricted-use areas:

Zone A (Protective Yard): This is the area immediately abutting the residential district boundary line. It is intended to provide a buffer and screen, consisting of vegetative landscaping and walls or fences. No buildings or structures are permitted within this zone [Sec. 3.5.2.A].
Zone B (Use Restricted): This zone ends 50 feet from the residential district boundary line. It is intended for low-intensity uses such as surface parking, landscaping, or service-related structures [Sec. 3.5.2.B].

Specific Setback Limits for Accessory Structures

Within a transition area in a CMP: Campus District, any accessory structure is subject to a height limit of 14 feet and must be located at least 15 feet from the residential district boundary line [Sec. 3.5.4.B.1]. Additionally, any trash collection, recycling, or loading areas must be set back at least 25 feet from the boundary line [Sec. 3.5.4.C].

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