Guide to the CX- Commercial Mixed Use District in Raleigh
Raleigh’s CX- Commercial Mixed Use district is a flexible zoning category designed to accommodate a broad range of residential, retail, and service activities while specifically encouraging "live-work" and mixed-use environments. The height of buildings in this Raleigh district is regulated by a numeric suffix that sets the maximum allowable stories from 3 to 40, and the district allows nearly every building type, including apartments and mixed-use buildings [Sec. 3.1.1.E, Sec. 3.3.1].
Purpose and Intent
The primary intent of the CX- district in the City of Raleigh is to provide for a variety of residential, retail, service, and commercial uses. While the district is designed for commercial flexibility, the City of Raleigh strongly encourages the inclusion of residential and employment uses within the same development to promote live-work opportunities [Sec. 3.1.1.E].
General Character and District Components
The CX- district is a component-based system. Each specific CX- designation on the City of Raleigh’s Official Zoning Map consists of the following elements:
- Base Designation: CX- (Commercial Mixed Use).
- Height Suffix: A number indicating the maximum number of stories (e.g., CX-3, CX-12).
- Frontage (Optional): A designation that places additional limitations on building form and orientation to the street (e.g., -SH for Shopfront) [Sec. 3.1.2].
Building Height Standards
Building height in the Raleigh CX- district is restricted by the suffix applied to the district.
| Height Designation | 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 |
| -20 | 20 stories | N/A |
| -30 | 30 stories | N/A |
| -40 | 40 stories | N/A |
Note: For suffixes -7 through -40, the maximum footage is not specified in the primary height table [Sec. 3.3.1, Sec. 3.3.2].
Permitted Building Types
The City of Raleigh allows a wide array of building forms in the CX- district. According to the "Building Types Allowed by District" table, all standard UDO building types are permitted [Sec. 1.4.2]:
- Detached House: One dwelling unit on a single lot [Sec. 1.4.1.A].
- Attached House: Two principal dwelling units on a single lot [Sec. 1.4.1.B].
- Townhouse: Two or more units separated vertically by a party wall [Sec. 1.4.1.C].
- Apartment: Three or more dwelling units integrated vertically or horizontally [Sec. 1.4.1.D].
- General Building: Accommodates nonresidential uses on all floors [Sec. 1.4.1.E].
- Mixed Use Building: Multi-story building with ground-floor retail and various upper-floor uses [Sec. 1.4.1.F].
- Civic Building: Specifically for civic, rest home, or daycare uses [Sec. 1.4.1.G].
- Tiny House: Building footprint ≤ 800 SF and gross floor area ≤ 1200 SF [Sec. 1.4.1.I].
Permitted Land Uses
The CX- district allows for high-intensity commercial activity alongside residential uses. Below is a summary of principal uses permitted in the Raleigh CX- district [Sec. 6.1.4].
Residential Uses
- Permitted (P): Single-unit living, Two-unit living, Multi-unit living, Cottage court.
- Limited (L): Frequent Transit Development Option, Multi-unit supportive housing, Supportive housing.
Public and Institutional Uses
- Permitted (P): Civic uses, Parks, Open Space and Greenways, Minor utilities.
- Limited (L): Cemetery, School (K-12), Telecommunication towers (<250 ft).
Commercial Uses
- Permitted (P): Indoor recreation, Medical, Office, Outdoor recreation, Personal service, Restaurant/Bar, Retail sales, Shopping center, Vehicle sales/rental.
- Limited (L): Day care (home), Adult establishment, Heliport (serving hospitals).
- Special (S): Day care center, Parking facility.
Industrial Uses
- Permitted (P): Light manufacturing, Research & Development, Wholesale trade.
- Limited (L): Brewery/Winery/Distillery, Self-service storage, Car wash, Vehicle repair (minor/major).
Base Dimensional Standards
Unless a specific frontage is applied, buildings in the Raleigh CX- district must adhere to base dimensional standards. For a typical Mixed Use Building or General Building, the requirements are [Sec. 3.2.5, Sec. 3.2.6]:
| Feature | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Primary Street Setback (min) | 5' |
| Side Street Setback (min) | 5' |
| Side Lot Line Setback (min) | 0' or 6' |
| Rear Lot Line Setback (min) | 0' or 6' |
| From Alley (min) | 5' |
| Ground Story Transparency (min) | 50% (Mixed Use) / 33% (General) |
Sections Cited
- Section 1.3.1 General Use Zoning Districts
- Section 1.4.1 Building Type Descriptions
- Section 1.4.2 Building Types Allowed by District
- Section 3.1.1 District Intent Statements
- Section 3.1.2 District Components
- Section 3.2.5 General Building
- Section 3.2.6 Mixed Use Building
- Section 3.3.1 Height Applicability
- Section 3.3.2 Building Height Standards
- Section 6.1.4 Allowed Principal Use Table