Guide to Allowed and Prohibited Uses in Raleigh R-4 (Residential-4) Districts
The R-4: Residential-4 district in the City of Raleigh is primarily intended to protect established low-density neighborhoods while allowing for single-unit and two-unit living on lots with a minimum area of 10,000 square feet [Section 2.1.1.D]. While residential uses predominate, the Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance permits certain civic, institutional, and limited commercial activities through specialized permits or strict use standards [Section 6.1.4]. Any activity or structure not explicitly designated as permitted, limited, or special in the R-4 district is strictly prohibited by the City of Raleigh [Section 6.1.5].
Allowed Principal Uses in R-4
The following table outlines the status of principal uses within the Raleigh R-4 district. Status is defined as Permitted (P), Limited (L) - subject to specific standards, or Special (S) - requiring Board of Adjustment approval [Section 6.1.3].
| Use Category | Specific Use | R-4 Status |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | Single-unit living | P |
| Two-unit living | P | |
| Multi-unit living | L | |
| Cottage court | P | |
| Conservation development | P | |
| Compact development | P | |
| Frequent Transit Development Option | L | |
| Multi-unit supportive housing residence | L | |
| Supportive housing residence | L | |
| Group Living (unless listed below) | S | |
| Congregate care | S | |
| Continuing care retirement community | S | |
| Rest home | S | |
| Social Service | Special care facility | S |
| Public/Institutional | Civic (General) | P |
| Cemetery | L | |
| School, public or private (K-12) | L | |
| Parks, Open Space, and Greenways | P | |
| Minor utilities | P | |
| Telecommunication tower (<250 ft) | L | |
| Telecommunication tower (≥250 ft) | S | |
| Outdoor sports/entertainment (≤250 seats) | P | |
| Outdoor sports/entertainment (>250 seats) | S | |
| Commercial | Day care, home | L |
| Day care center | S | |
| Golf course | L | |
| Short-Term Rental | L | |
| Parking Facility | S | |
| Open Uses | Community garden | L |
| Community garden (on-site sales) | S | |
| Produce stand | L | |
| Urban farm | S |
[Section 6.1.4]
Prohibited Uses in R-4
In the City of Raleigh, any use not specifically listed in the Allowed Principal Use Table for the R-4 district is prohibited [Section 6.1.5]. Notable prohibited uses include:
- Commercial Enterprises: Adult establishments, health clubs, sports academies, medical facilities, general office uses, and overnight lodging (excluding bed and breakfasts and short-term rentals) are not permitted in R-4 [Section 6.1.4].
- Retail and Industrial: General retail sales, vehicle sales/rental, heavy industrial, light manufacturing, and warehouse/distribution are strictly prohibited [Section 6.1.4].
- Residential Limitations: Boardinghouses and dormitories are not allowed in R-4 [Section 6.1.4].
- Waste and Utilities: Open dumps, new landfills, and major utilities (unless otherwise categorized) are prohibited [Section 6.1.5, Section 6.3.3.B].
- Specific Exclusions: School administrative personnel offices located outside of a school site are not permitted in the R-4 Residential District [Section 6.1.5].
Building Types and Residential Patterns
The R-4 district regulates the physical form of development by allowing only specific building types. Footnotes in the Raleigh UDO further restrict these types within the R-4 designation.
| Allowed Building Type | Development Option |
|---|---|
| Detached House | Allowed in Conventional, Compact, and Conservation options [Section 1.4.2]. |
| Attached House | Allowed in Conventional, Compact, and Conservation options [Section 1.4.2]. |
| Townhouse | Restricted to a maximum of two dwelling units per development in R-4, unless located within a Transit Overlay District (-TOD) [Section 1.4.2]. |
| Tiny House | Permitted in Conventional, Cottage Court, and Frequent Transit options [Section 1.4.2]. |
| Apartment | Prohibited in R-4 Conventional options; only allowed in R-4 under the Frequent Transit Area Development Option or within a -TOD overlay [Section 1.4.2]. |
Technical Development Standards for R-4
For a standard Detached House in an R-4 district under the Conventional Development Option, Raleigh mandates the following site requirements:
| Standard Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 10,000 square feet [Section 2.2.1.A] |
| Minimum Lot Width | 65 feet [Section 2.2.1.A] |
| Primary/Side Street Setback | 20 feet minimum [Section 2.2.1.B] |
| Side Lot Line Setback | 10 feet minimum [Section 2.2.1.B] |
| Rear Lot Line Setback | 30 feet minimum [Section 2.2.1.B] |
| Maximum Height | 40 feet / 3 stories [Section 2.2.1.D] |
Sections Cited
- Section 1.3.1 General Use Zoning Districts
- Section 1.4.2 Building Types Allowed by District
- Section 2.1.1 District Intent Statements
- Section 2.2.1 Detached House
- Section 6.1.3 Key to Use Table
- Section 6.1.4 Allowed Principal Use Table
- Section 6.1.5 Prohibited Uses
- Section 6.2.1 Household Living
- Section 6.3.3 Utilities