Raleigh Planned Development (PD) District Setback Standards
Setback requirements for the Planned Development (PD) district in the City of Raleigh are not fixed by universal code standards but are established individually for each project through a site-specific Master Plan approved by the Raleigh City Council [Sec. 4.7.1]. These customized setbacks must be clearly delineated on a Detailed Layout Map as part of the rezoning application and may modify the standard requirements found in other residential or mixed-use districts [Sec. 4.7.4.A.5, Sec. 4.7.2.B].
Establishment of Setbacks in the PD District
Unlike standard zoning districts such as R-4 or CX, the Planned Development (PD) district functions as a customized zoning tool. The specific front, side, and rear setbacks are proposed by the developer and finalized during the legislative approval process for the Planned Development Master Plan [Sec. 4.7.1].
The City of Raleigh requires that a PD District Master Plan includes a "Detailed Layout Map" if frontages are not utilized. This map must explicitly specify the following:
- Maximum and minimum building setback lines for all structures.
- Building setback lines for all parking areas [Sec. 4.7.4.A.5].
| Setback Component | Raleigh PD District Standard |
|---|---|
| Primary (Front) Street Setback | Defined by site-specific Master Plan [Sec. 4.7.4.A.5] |
| Side Street Setback | Defined by site-specific Master Plan [Sec. 4.7.4.A.5] |
| Side Interior Setback | Defined by site-specific Master Plan [Sec. 4.7.4.A.5] |
| Rear Setback | Defined by site-specific Master Plan [Sec. 4.7.4.A.5] |
| Parking Setbacks | Defined by site-specific Master Plan [Sec. 4.7.4.A.5] |
| Neighborhood Transition (Zone A) | 10' to 50' depending on type [Sec. 3.5.3] |
Mandatory Neighborhood Transitions
While the Raleigh City Council allows for flexible setbacks within the Planned Development (PD) district, these projects must still adhere to mandatory Neighborhood Transition standards when they abut certain residential areas. These transitions act as required buffers that cannot be occupied by buildings [Sec. 3.5.1].
The transition standards apply if the Planned Development (PD) district site immediately abuts a boundary of an R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, or R-10 district where the abutting property is vacant or contains a detached, tiny, or attached house [Sec. 3.5.1.A.2].
Zone A: Protective Yard
This is the area immediately abutting the residential district boundary line. No buildings or structures are allowed within this zone, effectively creating a minimum mandatory setback [Sec. 3.5.2.A]:
- Type 1 (Narrow): Requires a minimum average width of 10 feet [Sec. 3.5.3.A].
- Type 2 (Medium): Requires a minimum average width of 20 feet [Sec. 3.5.3.B].
- Type 3 (Wide): Requires a minimum average width of at least 50 feet [Sec. 3.5.3.C].
Legacy PDD: Planned Development District
The City of Raleigh identifies PDD: Planned Development District as a Legacy District that exists under the former Part 10 Zoning Code [Sec. 1.3.4]. These legacy districts will eventually be replaced by Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) zoning districts. Per the City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance, no new legacy districts may be added to the Official Zoning Map, and existing legacy boundaries may not be modified [Sec. 1.3.4]. For properties still zoned under the legacy PDD designation, the setbacks remain governed by the specific conditions and plans approved at the time of their original creation under the previous code.
Sections Cited
- Sec. 1.3.4. Legacy Districts
- Sec. 3.5.1. Applicability (Neighborhood Transitions)
- Sec. 3.5.2. Transition Zones
- Sec. 3.5.3. Zone A: Protective Yard
- Article 4.7. Planned Development (PD)
- Sec. 4.7.1. Establishment of a PD District
- Sec. 4.7.2. Modification of Standards
- Sec. 4.7.4. Application Requirements