I-1 Industrial-1 Legacy District and Industrial Zoning in Raleigh
The I-1 Industrial-1 district is classified as a Legacy District within the City of Raleigh, meaning it was established under the previous zoning code and is slated for eventual replacement by modern Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) designations. No new I-1 districts may be added to the City of Raleigh's Official Zoning Map, and existing boundaries cannot be modified. While original use permissions remain, the Raleigh UDO height, setback, parking, landscaping, and screening regulations control the property if they are more stringent than the original legacy district standards [Section 1.2.3, Section 1.3.4].
Status of I-1 Industrial-1 Legacy Districts
The City of Raleigh identifies I-1 Industrial-1 as a Legacy District that exists in the Part 10 Zoning Code. These districts are maintained until they are replaced by a UDO zoning district.
Legacy District Regulatory Framework
| Category | UDO Regulation |
|---|---|
| Establishment | No new I-1 districts may be added to the Official Zoning Map [Section 1.3.4]. |
| Boundaries | Existing boundaries of I-1 districts may not be modified [Section 1.3.4]. |
| Conflicts | UDO standards for height, setback, parking, landscaping, and screening control when more stringent than legacy conditions [Section 1.2.3]. |
| Use Consistency | Use limitations continue unless the use is not allowed in the corresponding new UDO general use district [Section 1.2.3]. |
Current Industrial Zoning Designations
Because I-1 is a legacy designation, the City of Raleigh has replaced the industrial framework with two primary UDO districts: IX- Industrial Mixed Use and IH Heavy Industrial. Properties formerly or currently zoned I-1 are subject to the following use standards if they transition to these UDO districts.
Industrial Use Intent Statements
- Industrial Mixed Use (IX-): Intended for a variety of light industrial and manufacturing uses while allowing for retail, service, and commercial activity. Residential uses are permitted but limited to the upper stories of mixed-use buildings [Section 3.1.1].
- Heavy Industrial (IH): Intended to accommodate high-impact manufacturing and industrial uses that are generally not compatible with residential or mixed-use areas [Section 4.1.1].
Allowed Industrial Uses in the Raleigh UDO
The following table outlines principal uses permitted (P), limited (L), or requiring a special use permit (S) in the current industrial districts [Section 6.1.4].
| Use Category | Specific Use | IX- District | IH District |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial | Heavy Industrial | -- | P |
| Light Industrial | P | P | |
| Light Manufacturing | P | P | |
| Research & Development | P | P | |
| Self-Service Storage | L | P | |
| Vehicle Service | P | P | |
| Warehouse & Distribution | P | P | |
| Waste-Related Service | -- | P | |
| Wholesale Trade | P | P | |
| Commercial | Adult Establishment | S | S |
| Office | P | P | |
| Vehicle Sales/Rental | L | P | |
| Restaurant/Bar | P | -- | |
| Retail Sales | P | -- | |
| Public | Detention Center/Jail/Prison | S | P |
| Major Utilities | S | S | |
| Minor Utilities | P | P |
Prohibited Uses and General Restrictions
The City of Raleigh UDO identifies specific activities and uses that are prohibited across various districts to protect public health and safety.
Expressly Prohibited Uses
According to the Raleigh UDO, the following are prohibited:
- Open Dumps: Any form of open dumping is prohibited [Section 6.1.5].
- Unlicensed Vehicles: The storage of two or more unlicensed, uninspected, or wrecked vehicles is prohibited, except as a temporary allowance for permitted towing yards [Section 6.1.5].
- Incompatible Structures: Manufactured homes or travel trailers are prohibited except within a -MH district, a PD district, or if constructed as a Tiny House or ADU [Section 6.1.5].
- Non-permitted Signage: Any sign not explicitly allowed by the signage tables or erected in violation of UDO standards is prohibited [Section 6.1.5].
Use-Specific Prohibitions in Industrial Areas
- Heavy Industrial Transition: IH districts must establish a Type B1 or B2 transitional protective yard when abutting any district other than another IH district [Section 7.2.4].
- IX- Residential Limits: In an IX- District, multi-unit living is only allowed as a limited use and must be located on the upper stories of a building [Section 6.2.1].
Sections Cited
- Sec. 1.2.3. Rules of Interpretation
- Sec. 1.3.4. Legacy Districts
- Sec. 3.1.1. District Intent Statements
- Sec. 4.1.1. District Intent Statements
- Sec. 6.1.4. Allowed Principal Use Table
- Sec. 6.1.5. Prohibited Uses
- Sec. 6.2.1. Household Living
- Sec. 7.2.4. Protective Yards