Raleigh Neighborhood Business and Mixed Use Zoning: NB and NX Districts
In the City of Raleigh, the NB: Neighborhood Business designation is classified as a Legacy District that is currently being phased out and replaced by the NX: Neighborhood Mixed Use district. The NX district is intended to provide for small-scale residential, retail, and service activities within walking distance of residential neighborhoods, strictly limiting developments to a maximum lot size of 10 acres [Section 1.3.4, Section 3.1.1].
The Legacy of the NB: Neighborhood Business District
Under the Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), the NB: Neighborhood Business district is identified as a legacy classification that exists from the previous Part 10 Zoning Code. The Raleigh UDO prohibits the addition of any new NB districts to the Official Zoning Map and forbids the modification of any existing NB district boundaries [Section 1.3.4].
As the City of Raleigh transitions away from legacy zoning, properties previously zoned NB are generally governed by the standards of the NX: Neighborhood Mixed Use district or other mixed-use categories that align with the UDO's focus on walkability and compact form [Section 1.1.4, Section 1.3.4].
NX: Neighborhood Mixed Use (The UDO Replacement)
The NX- Neighborhood Mixed Use district is the primary UDO category for neighborhood-scale business. It is designed to be compatible with adjacent residential areas while providing essential convenience services [Section 3.1.1].
General Character and Scale
The character of the Raleigh NX district is defined by its integration into the local neighborhood fabric. Key characteristics include:
- Lot Size Cap: The overall scale of the district is limited by a maximum lot size of 10 acres [Section 3.1.1].
- Pedestrian Orientation: Developments are intended to be within walking distance of households [Section 3.1.1].
- Building Height: Height is determined by a numerical suffix (e.g., NX-3 for 3 stories). The UDO allows for height designations up to 40 stories in intense districts, but NX is typically mapped at lower scales to maintain compatibility with residential contexts [Section 3.1.2, Section 3.3.1].
Permitted Land Uses
The following table outlines principal uses permitted in the Raleigh NX- district. Uses are categorized as Permitted (P), Limited (L), or Special (S) [Section 6.1.4].
| Use Category | Specific Use Type | NX- District Status |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | Single-unit / Two-unit / Multi-unit Living | Permitted (P) |
| Cottage Court | Permitted (P) | |
| Frequent Transit Development Option | Limited (L) | |
| Public/Civic | Civic (General) / Parks / Open Space | Permitted (P) |
| School, Public or Private (K-12) | Limited (L) | |
| Minor Utilities | Permitted (P) | |
| Commercial | Day Care Center | Limited (L) |
| Indoor Recreation (General) | Permitted (P) | |
| Medical Facility | Permitted (P) | |
| Office | Permitted (P) | |
| Personal Service (General) | Permitted (P) | |
| Eating Establishment | Limited (L) | |
| Retail Sales (General) | Permitted (P) | |
| Vehicle Fuel Sales | Limited (L) |
Base Dimensional Standards
For the two most common building types in neighborhood business areas—General Buildings and Mixed Use Buildings—the City of Raleigh enforces the following minimum standards [Section 3.2.5, Section 3.2.6]:
| Standard | General Building (NX-) | Mixed Use Building (NX-) |
|---|---|---|
| Max Lot Size | 10 acres | 10 acres |
| Primary Street Setback (Min) | 5' | 5' |
| Side Street Setback (Min) | 5' | 5' |
| Side Lot Line Setback (Min) | 0' or 6' | 0' or 6' |
| Rear Lot Line Setback (Min) | 0' or 6' | 0' or 6' |
| Ground Story Transparency (Min) | 33% | 50% |
| Blank Wall Area (Max) | 30' | 20' |
Neighborhood Transitions
Because the NX district often abuts residential zones, the City of Raleigh requires Neighborhood Transitions. If an NX site immediately abuts a district boundary of R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, or R-10, the developer must provide protective measures such as:
- Zone A (Protective Yard): A vegetative buffer and wall/fence ranging from 10 to 50 feet in width [Section 3.5.2, Section 3.5.3].
- Zone B (Use Restricted): An area limited to low-intensity uses like surface parking or landscaping for the first 50 feet from the residential boundary [Section 3.5.2, Section 3.5.4].
- Zone C (Height/Form): Height is restricted to 40 feet at the transition line and can only increase at a 45-degree angle as the building moves further into the NX site [Section 3.5.5].
Sections Cited
- Article 1.1. Legal Provisions
- Article 1.3. Zoning Districts
- Article 3.1. General Provisions (Mixed Use Districts)
- Article 3.2. Base Dimensional Standards
- Article 3.3. Height Requirements
- Article 3.5. Neighborhood Transitions
- Article 6.1. Allowed Uses