Industrial District Setback Standards in Raleigh
In the City of Raleigh, the I-2: Industrial-2 district is classified as a legacy district, and its specific setback requirements are not defined within the current Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). Modern industrial development in the City of Raleigh is instead governed by the Heavy Industrial (IH) and Industrial Mixed Use (IX-) districts, which feature primary street setbacks ranging from 3 feet (IX-) to 50 feet (IH). Under the City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance, legacy districts like I-2 are slated for eventual replacement by these updated zoning classifications [Section 1.3.4].
Legacy Status of the I-2: Industrial-2 District
According to the City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance, the I-2: Industrial-2 district is considered a "Legacy District" [Section 1.3.4]. These districts exist within the older Part 10 Zoning Code and remain active for existing properties but are being phased out. The City of Raleigh prohibits the creation of any new I-2 districts or the modification of existing I-2 boundaries [Section 1.3.4].
Because this document is the updated Unified Development Ordinance, it focuses on the dimensional standards for the new classifications that replace legacy districts. For industrial applications, these new classifications are Heavy Industrial (IH) and Industrial Mixed Use (IX-).
Setback Requirements for Heavy Industrial (IH)
The Heavy Industrial (IH) district in the City of Raleigh is designed for high-impact manufacturing and industrial uses that may not be compatible with residential or mixed-use areas [Section 4.1.1.C]. The setbacks for a General Building in this district are substantial to provide adequate buffering.
IH District Dimensional Standards
| Setback Type | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Primary Street Setback (Front) | 50' |
| Side Street Setback | 50' |
| Side Interior Setback | 0' (See Note 1) |
| Rear Setback | 0' (See Note 2) |
- Note 1: While the individual side interior setback can be 0 feet, the sum of both side interior setbacks must be at least 40 feet [Section 4.4.1.B4].
- Note 2: The sum of the rear setback and the primary street setback must be at least 70 feet [Section 4.4.1.B6].
Setback Requirements for Industrial Mixed Use (IX-)
The Industrial Mixed Use (IX-) district in the City of Raleigh provides for a variety of light industrial, manufacturing, and commercial uses, with residential uses permitted on upper stories [Section 3.1.1.G]. This district uses much smaller setbacks to encourage a more compact and walkable urban form.
IX- District Dimensional Standards (General Building)
| Setback Type | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Primary Street Setback (Front) | 3' |
| Side Street Setback | 3' |
| Side Interior Setback | 0' or 6' |
| Rear Setback | 0' or 6' |
In the IX- district, the specific side and rear setbacks of 0 or 6 feet depend on the specific building type and whether the building is located on a lot line [Section 3.2.5.B].
Rules of Interpretation for Legacy Districts
For properties currently zoned as a legacy district like I-2, the City of Raleigh applies the following rules of interpretation:
- More Stringent Standards Control: If a property has specific conditions from a previous ordinance, the City of Raleigh mandates that the current Unified Development Ordinance regulations for height, setback, and parking apply if they are more stringent than the legacy conditions [Section 1.2.3.B].
- Calculation Methods: All calculations for setbacks must be performed in accordance with the modern standards established in the Unified Development Ordinance [Section 1.2.3.B].
Sections Cited
- Section 1.2.3 Rules of Interpretation
- Section 1.3.4 Legacy Districts
- Section 3.1.1 District Intent Statements (Mixed Use)
- Section 3.2.5 General Building (Base Dimensional Standards)
- Section 4.1.1 District Intent Statements (Special Districts)
- Section 4.4.1 General Building (Heavy Industrial)