Raleigh CM: Conservation Management Zoning Regulations
The CM: Conservation Management district in Raleigh is designed to protect and enhance land as permanent open space to meet the City's passive and recreational needs. It requires properties to remain predominantly unoccupied by buildings, imposing a strict 5% maximum building coverage and mandatory 50-foot setbacks on all sides. Land use in this Raleigh district is primarily restricted to parks, open space, minor utilities, and non-intensive agricultural activities [Section 4.1.1.A, Section 4.2.2].
Allowed Principal Uses
The City of Raleigh strictly limits the types of activities and structures permitted within the CM: Conservation Management designation to ensure the preservation of natural resources. According to the Allowed Principal Use Table, the following uses are categorized as either Permitted (P) or Limited (L). Any use not explicitly listed in the table is prohibited [Section 6.1.4].
Permitted Uses (P)
- Parks, Open Space, and Greenways: Uses focusing on natural areas consisting mostly of vegetation and passive or active outdoor recreation [Section 6.3.2.A].
- Minor Utilities: Public or private infrastructure serving a limited area with no on-site personnel, such as stormwater facilities or utility services [Section 6.3.3.A].
- Restricted Agriculture: The raising and harvesting of tree crops (excluding forestry) and vine crops that do not require intense cultivation. The keeping or grazing of animals is explicitly prohibited under this use category [Section 6.6.1.D].
Limited Uses (L)
- Cemetery: Facilities used for the permanent interment of humans or animals. These are subject to specific City standards regarding facility dedication and 40-foot buffers from street rights-of-way [Section 6.3.1.B].
Technical Development Standards
Development in the Raleigh CM: Conservation Management district is largely limited to the "Open Lot" building type. This building type is used to accommodate uses with large outdoor areas while strictly limiting the footprint of any supporting structures [Section 1.4.1.H].
| Standard | CM: Conservation Management Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Building Coverage | 5% |
| Minimum Primary Street Setback | 50' |
| Minimum Side Street Setback | 50' |
| Minimum Side Lot Line Setback | 50' |
| Minimum Rear Lot Line Setback | 50' |
| Maximum Height (Feet/Stories) | 40' / 3 Stories |
| Primary Tree Conservation Area | 30% of CM-zoned land (for sites ≥ 2 acres) |
Note: For any property line in the CM: Conservation Management district that adjoins a street, the owner must comply with the planting requirements established for the Special Highway Overlay District (SHOD-1) [Section 4.2.2.B].
Prohibited Uses and Activities
Any use not specifically designated as Permitted, Limited, or Special in the Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance is prohibited within the CM: Conservation Management district. Key prohibited uses include:
- Residential Uses: All forms of household living (single-unit, two-unit, and multi-unit living) and group living (boardinghouses, congregate care, and dormitories) are prohibited [Section 6.1.4].
- Commercial Uses: All commercial categories, including retail sales, offices, medical facilities, overnight lodging, and indoor recreation, are prohibited [Section 6.1.4].
- Industrial Uses: Both light and heavy industrial uses, including manufacturing and warehouse distribution, are prohibited [Section 6.1.4].
- Intensive Open Uses: Urban farms, community gardens, and resource extraction activities are not permitted [Section 6.1.4].
- Major Utilities: Large-scale public or private infrastructure with on-site personnel is prohibited [Section 6.1.4].
Additional Environmental Requirements
Raleigh requires significant tree preservation for CM: Conservation Management parcels. On sites of 2 acres or greater, the property owner must delineate at least 30% of the land as a primary tree conservation area. If the site lacks existing trees, it must be planted with shade trees to meet the requirement [Section 4.2.1]. Additionally, all development must establish watercourse buffers along any primary or secondary watercourse [Section 4.2.1.D].
Sections Cited
- Section 1.4.1. Building Type Descriptions
- Section 4.1.1. District Intent Statements
- Section 4.2.1. General Provisions
- Section 4.2.2. Open Lot
- Section 6.1.4. Allowed Principal Use Table
- Section 6.3.1. Civic
- Section 6.3.2. Parks, Open Space and Greenways
- Section 6.3.3. Utilities
- Section 6.6.1. Agriculture