Guide to the I-2 Industrial-2 Legacy District in Raleigh
The I-2 Industrial-2 district is a designated Legacy District within the City of Raleigh that is currently being phased out and replaced by modern Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) classifications. Under the City of Raleigh’s regulatory framework, no new I-2 districts may be added to the Official Zoning Map, and the boundaries of existing I-2 districts cannot be modified [Sec. 1.3.4]. Existing I-2 properties are governed by a hybrid of their original zoning conditions and the more stringent requirements found in the current City of Raleigh UDO [Sec. 1.2.3].
Purpose and General Character
The primary purpose of maintaining the I-2: Industrial-2 designation is to provide a transition for older industrial properties until they are formally rezoned to a current UDO district [Sec. 1.3.4]. In the City of Raleigh, industrial character is now divided between two primary active classifications:
- IX- Industrial Mixed Use: Intended for light industrial, manufacturing, and research uses that incorporate commercial activity and limited housing [Sec. 3.1.1.G].
- IH Heavy Industrial: Intended for high-impact manufacturing and industrial uses that are generally incompatible with residential areas [Sec. 4.1.1.C].
Because I-2 is a legacy district, its character is defined by its existing industrial footprint, but it is interpreted through the lens of the UDO’s new general use districts [Sec. 1.2.3.A].
Technical Standards for Legacy Interpretation
When a property in the City of Raleigh remains under the I-2: Industrial-2 legacy classification, the following rules of interpretation apply to its development standards:
| Regulation Category | Controlling Standard in the City of Raleigh |
|---|---|
| Height and Setbacks | UDO regulations apply if they are more stringent than the original legacy conditions [Sec. 1.2.3.B]. |
| Parking and Landscaping | UDO standards for calculation and installation are controlling [Sec. 1.2.3.B]. |
| Approval Processes | All development processes must follow the current UDO regulations [Sec. 1.2.3.C]. |
| District Expansion | Prohibited; no new legacy districts or boundary modifications allowed [Sec. 1.3.4]. |
Permitted Land Uses
The land uses permitted in the I-2: Industrial-2 district are dictated by the original conditional zoning ordinance of the property, but they are subject to several modern restrictions in the City of Raleigh [Sec. 1.2.3.D]:
- Continuance of Use: Former allowed uses may continue unless that specific use is no longer permitted in the corresponding new UDO general use zoning district.
- Determining Use Type: Whether a use is considered a "Limited Use" (requiring specific standards) or a "Special Use" (requiring Board of Adjustment approval) is determined by the current UDO general use district, not the legacy code [Sec. 1.2.3.D].
- Prohibited Industrial Activities: Regardless of legacy status, all City of Raleigh properties must adhere to the Prohibited Uses section, which forbids certain activities like open dumps or the storage of multiple unlicensed/wrecked vehicles unless specifically permitted as a towing yard [Sec. 6.1.5].
Neighborhood Transitions
If an I-2: Industrial-2 property in the City of Raleigh immediately abuts a Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, or R-10), it may be subject to neighborhood transition standards. These standards are intended to protect residential areas from the impacts of industrial or mixed-use development through protective yards (Zone A), use-restricted areas (Zone B), and height/form triggers (Zone C) [Sec. 3.5.1, Sec. 3.5.2].
Sections Cited
- Sec. 1.2.3. Rules of Interpretation
- Sec. 1.3.1. General Use Zoning Districts
- Sec. 1.3.4. Legacy Districts
- Sec. 3.1.1. District Intent Statements
- Sec. 3.5.1. Applicability (Neighborhood Transitions)
- Sec. 3.5.2. Transition Zones
- Sec. 4.1.1. District Intent Statements
- Sec. 6.1.5. Prohibited Uses