O&I-1: Office and Institution-1 Legacy District Regulations in Raleigh
O&I-1 (Office and Institution-1) is classified as a Legacy District in the City of Raleigh, meaning it is part of a former zoning code being phased out and replaced by current Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) standards. Use regulations for properties in this district are governed by the standards of the corresponding new UDO general use districts, specifically OX- (Office Mixed Use) and OP- (Office Park), which regulate the office and institutional activities formerly categorized under O&I-1 [Sec. 1.2.3, Sec. 1.3.4, Sec. 3.1.1].
Status and Applicability of O&I-1
In the City of Raleigh, O&I-1 is a "Legacy District" that exists in the Part 10 Zoning Code. According to the Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance, no new legacy districts may be added to the Official Zoning Map, and the boundaries of existing legacy districts cannot be modified [Sec. 1.3.4].
For properties currently designated as O&I-1, use limitations are determined by the following rules:
- The use limitations of the legacy district continue unless the former allowed use is no longer permitted in the new UDO general use zoning district [Sec. 1.2.3].
- All limited uses and special uses are determined by the current UDO general use district standards [Sec. 1.2.3].
- The primary UDO districts that correspond to the "Office and Institution" intent are OX- (Office Mixed Use), which balances employment with housing and limited retail, and OP- (Office Park), which is dedicated specifically to office and employment uses [Sec. 3.1.1].
Allowed and Limited Uses
The following table details the primary uses allowed within the UDO's Office-Institutional frameworks (OX- and OP-), which serve as the regulatory counterparts for O&I-1 land in the City of Raleigh [Sec. 6.1.4].
| Use Category | Specific Use | Office Mixed Use (OX-) | Office Park (OP-) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | Single-unit living | Permitted (P) | Not Permitted (--) |
| Two-unit living | Permitted (P) | Not Permitted (--) | |
| Multi-unit living | Permitted (P) | Not Permitted (--) | |
| Group Living | Permitted (P) | Not Permitted (--) | |
| Public/Institutional | Civic (General) | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) |
| Cemetery | Limited (L) | Limited (L) | |
| College/University | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) | |
| School, Public/Private (K-12) | Limited (L) | Limited (L) | |
| Minor Utilities | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) | |
| Commercial | Day care center | Limited (L) | Limited (L) |
| Medical (Facility/Clinic) | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) | |
| Office | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) | |
| Personal Service | Limited (L) | Not Permitted (--) | |
| Industrial | Research & Development | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) |
| Light Manufacturing | Not Permitted (--) | Permitted (P) | |
| Open | Community garden | Limited (L) | Limited (L) |
| Urban farm | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) |
Key: P = Permitted by right; L = Limited (must meet specific use standards); S = Special Use (requires Board of Adjustment approval); -- = Use not permitted.
Use Standards for O&I Development
Properties operating under these office and institutional standards in the City of Raleigh must adhere to specific conditions for certain uses:
- Day Care Centers: In these districts, day care centers are allowed as a limited use, subject to meeting all state and local standards [Sec. 6.4.1.C].
- Medical Facilities: Within an OX- district, a medical facility must be located on the first floor of a corner unit in an apartment building type at the intersection of two public streets and cannot exceed 4,000 square feet [Sec. 6.4.3.B].
- Personal Services: In an OX- district, personal services must be within a multi-tenant building and cannot exceed 15% of the gross floor area of the building or 4,000 square feet, whichever is greater [Sec. 6.4.9.G].
Prohibited Uses
The City of Raleigh expressly prohibits any use in these districts that is not explicitly listed as permitted, limited, or special in the Allowed Principal Use Table [Sec. 6.1.5]. Specific prohibitions for the office and institutional counterparts of O&I-1 include:
- Adult Establishments: These are strictly prohibited in the OX- and OP- districts [Sec. 6.4.2.B, Sec. 6.1.4].
- Vehicle Fuel Sales: This use is not permitted in the OX- or OP- districts [Sec. 6.1.4].
- Heavy Industrial Uses: All high-impact manufacturing and waste-related services are prohibited in office and institutional zones [Sec. 6.1.4, Sec. 6.5.1].
- Retail Sales: General retail is not permitted as a principal use in the OP- district [Sec. 6.1.4].
- Open Dumps: The City of Raleigh prohibits open dumps in all districts [Sec. 6.1.5].
Sections Cited
- Sec. 1.2.3. Rules of Interpretation
- Sec. 1.3.4. Legacy Districts
- Sec. 3.1.1. District Intent Statements
- Sec. 6.1.4. Allowed Principal Use Table
- Sec. 6.1.5. Prohibited Uses
- Sec. 6.4.1. Day Care
- Sec. 6.4.3. Medical
- Sec. 6.4.9. Personal Service