R-15: Residential-15 District Setback Requirements in Raleigh
In the City of Raleigh, the R-15: Residential-15 district is classified as a Legacy District, and its specific dimensional standards, including setbacks, are not listed within the technical tables of the modern Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The City of Raleigh maintains these standards in the previous "Part 10 Zoning Code," as R-15 is an older designation intended to be phased out and replaced by current UDO zoning categories [Sec. 1.3.4].
Legacy Status and Regulations
The R-15: Residential-15 district is one of several legacy districts recognized by the City of Raleigh that existed prior to the adoption of the current UDO [Sec. 1.3.4]. Because it is a legacy district, the following regulations apply:
- Replacement Requirement: These districts exist in the older Part 10 Zoning Code and will eventually be replaced with a modern UDO zoning district [Sec. 1.3.4].
- Modification Prohibitions: No new land may be added to an R-15 district, nor may the boundaries of any existing R-15 legacy district be modified [Sec. 1.3.4].
- District Types: R-15 may exist as either a general use district or a conditional district [Sec. 1.3.4].
Setback Reference and Interpretation
Because the specific numerical setbacks for R-15 are found in the older zoning code and not the UDO, the City of Raleigh utilizes modern districts like R-10 (Residential-10) as the standard for high-density residential development. For contextual reference, the UDO setbacks for the highest-density modern residential district (R-10) are provided below.
Standard Setbacks for R-10 (High-Density Residential Reference)
| Setback Type | Detached House | Attached House | Townhouse (Site Boundary) | Apartment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Street (min) | 10' | 10' | 10' | 10' |
| Side Street (min) | 10' | 10' | 10' | 10' |
| Side Lot Line (min) | 5' | 5' | 6' | 5' |
| Rear Lot Line (min) | 20' | 20' | 20' | 20' |
[Sec. 2.2.1, Sec. 2.2.2, Sec. 2.2.3, Sec. 2.2.4]
Rules of Interpretation for Legacy Conditions
The City of Raleigh applies specific rules when a property is subject to legacy standards or conditional zoning:
- UDO Precedence: If UDO setback regulations are more stringent than those found in a conditional zoning district ordinance related to a legacy district, the UDO regulations are controlling [Sec. 1.2.3].
- Calculation Methods: All calculations for setbacks must follow the measurement rules established in the modern UDO [Sec. 1.2.3].
- Use Limitations: If conditional zoning limits a property's uses to those allowed in a legacy district like R-15, those limitations remain in effect unless the specific use is no longer permitted in the corresponding UDO general use district [Sec. 1.2.3].
Sections Cited
- Sec. 1.2.3. Rules of Interpretation
- Sec. 1.3.4. Legacy Districts
- Sec. 2.2.1. Detached House
- Sec. 2.2.2. Attached House
- Sec. 2.2.3. Townhouse
- Sec. 2.2.4. Apartment
- Article 12.2. Defined Terms (Residential District)