DX- Downtown Mixed Use District: Purpose and Standards in Raleigh
The DX- Downtown Mixed Use District is the City of Raleigh’s primary zoning designation for high-intensity, urban development within the downtown core. This district facilitates a dense blend of residential, commercial, and civic uses while imposing strict height requirements and parking maximums to ensure a walkable, transit-oriented environment [Sec. 3.1.1.F, Sec. 7.1.3.A].
Purpose of the DX- District
The primary intent of the DX- District in the City of Raleigh is to provide for intense mixed-use development in the downtown area. It is designed to foster a vibrant urban environment where people can live, work, and recreate in close proximity. To maintain the integrity of this urban core, new applications for the DX- District must be for property located either contiguous to or directly across the street from an existing DX- District [Sec. 3.1.1.F, Sec. 10.2.4.E.6].
Permitted Land Uses and Building Types
The City of Raleigh permits a comprehensive range of uses in the DX- District. Unlike many other districts, residential, commercial, and civic uses are often permitted by right without the acreage or width minimums required in residential-only zones [Sec. 3.2.1].
Allowed Building Types
The following building types are permitted within the DX- District:
- Detached House
- Attached House
- Townhouse
- Apartment
- General Building
- Mixed Use Building
- Civic Building
- Open Lot
- Tiny House [Sec. 1.4.2]
Principal Use Categories
- Residential: Single-unit, two-unit, and multi-unit living, as well as cottage courts [Sec. 6.1.4].
- Commercial: Office, medical, retail sales, restaurant/bar, and indoor/outdoor recreation [Sec. 6.1.4].
- Public & Institutional: Civic uses, schools (K-12), colleges/universities, and minor/major utilities [Sec. 6.1.4].
- Industrial: Research and Development and Light Manufacturing are permitted, while Heavy Industrial uses are prohibited [Sec. 6.1.4].
General Character and Base Dimensional Standards
The character of the DX- District is defined by buildings placed close to the street with high levels of transparency. The City of Raleigh does not require minimum lot areas or widths for most building types in this district to encourage maximum density [Sec. 3.2.1].
DX- Base Dimensional Standards
| Standard | Residential (Detached/Attached) | Townhouse/Apartment/Mixed Use |
|---|---|---|
| Lot Area (min) | N/A | N/A |
| Lot Width (min) | N/A | N/A |
| Primary Street Setback (min) | 5' | 5' |
| Side Street Setback (min) | 5' | 5' |
| Side Lot Line Setback (min) | 3' | 6' |
| Rear Lot Line Setback (min) | 10' | 6' - 10' |
| Ground Story Transparency (min) | 20% | 20% - 66%* |
| Upper Story Transparency (min) | 15% | 15% - 20% |
*Specific transparency requirements vary based on the building type and the presence of a Mixed Use or General Building [Sec. 3.2.1, Sec. 3.2.6].
Building Height and Massing
The height of a building in the DX- District is determined by a numerical suffix following the "DX-" designation. For example, a property zoned DX-20 allows for a maximum of 20 stories.
DX- Height Standards
| Height Suffix | Max Stories | Max Feet |
|---|---|---|
| -3 | 3 | 50' |
| -5 | 5 | 80' |
| -7 | 7 | No max feet listed |
| -12 | 12 | No max feet listed |
| -20 | 20 | No max feet listed |
| -40 | 40 | No max feet listed |
For buildings exceeding 12 stories, the City of Raleigh requires "stepbacks." Buildings must place a minimum 12-foot stepback above the first floor (or 25 feet, whichever is greater) but below the 13th floor on faces adjoining a public street [Sec. 3.3.3.B].
Specialized Parking Requirements
In the DX- District, the City of Raleigh shifts from requiring minimum parking to enforcing maximum parking limits to promote transit use and reduce urban sprawl.
DX- Vehicle Parking Maximums
| Use Type | Maximum Spaces Allowed |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1-Bedroom Unit | 1.5 spaces per unit |
| 2+ Bedroom Unit | 2 spaces per unit |
| General Non-Residential | Subject to Section 7.1.2.C maximums |
| Parking as Principal Use | 20 spaces maximum |
Structured parking in the DX- District must include "active uses" (such as retail, office, or residential) on the ground floor between the parking structure and any public sidewalk along a primary street [Sec. 7.1.3.A].
Digital Signage in Downtown
The City of Raleigh allows for unique digital signage in the DX- District that is generally prohibited elsewhere. A digital wall sign up to 750 square feet is permitted on a civic building if it contains a place of public assembly with a seating capacity of at least 10,000 [Sec. 7.3.13.N].
Sections Cited
- Sec. 1.4.2. Building Types Allowed by District
- Sec. 3.1.1. District Intent Statements
- Sec. 3.2.1. - 3.2.9. Base Dimensional Standards (Various Building Types)
- Sec. 3.3.2. Building Height Standards
- Sec. 3.3.3. Building Massing Standards
- Sec. 6.1.4. Allowed Principal Use Table
- Sec. 7.1.3. Specialized Vehicle Parking Requirements
- Sec. 7.3.13. Special Sign Types
- Sec. 10.2.4. Rezoning