Raleigh R-1: Residential-1 District Setback Requirements
In the City of Raleigh, the R-1: Residential-1 district generally requires a minimum primary street setback of 20 feet, a side lot line setback of 10 feet, and a rear lot line setback of 30 feet for standard detached houses. These requirements vary depending on the chosen development option (Conventional, Compact, or Conservation) and the specific building type, such as civic buildings or tiny houses.
Conventional Development Option Setbacks
The Conventional Development Option is the standard pattern of residential development in the City of Raleigh that provides property owners with substantial yards on their own property [Sec. 2.1.2.A]. Under this option, the R-1: Residential-1 district allows detached houses, tiny houses, civic buildings, and open lots.
R-1 Conventional Setback Standards
| Building Type | Primary Street (Min) | Side Street (Min) | Side Lot Line (Min) | Rear Lot Line (Min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached House | 20' | 20' | 10' | 30' |
| Tiny House | 20' | 20' | 10' | 30' |
| Civic Building | 20' | 20' | 15' | 30' |
| Open Lot | 20' | 20' | 10' | 30' |
| General Building* | 50' | 50' | 30' | 30' |
*The General Building type is only permitted in the R-1: Residential-1 district when used for a governmental water or wastewater treatment plant [Sec. 2.2.9].
Compact and Conservation Development Option Setbacks
The City of Raleigh offers alternative development options that trade reduced lot sizes or increased density for the preservation of common open space [Sec. 2.1.2.B-C]. In the R-1: Residential-1 district, these options primarily apply to detached houses.
R-1 Compact and Conservation Setback Standards
| Development Option | Building Type | Primary Street (Min) | Side Street (Min) | Side Lot Line (Min) | Rear Lot Line (Min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact | Detached House | 20' | 20' | 10' | 20' |
| Conservation | Detached House | 20' | 20' | 10' | 20' |
For civic buildings and open lots within these options, the setbacks generally mirror the Conventional Option standards, though Conservation Option civic buildings allow a reduced side lot line setback of 10 feet [Sec. 2.4.6].
Setbacks for Accessory Structures
In the R-1: Residential-1 district, accessory structures (such as sheds or detached garages) must follow specific setbacks based on the size of the lot. For the standard R-1 lot size (minimum 40,000 square feet), the following standards apply:
| Lot Size | Primary Street (Min) | Side Street (Min) | Side Lot Line (Min) | Rear Lot Line (Min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater than 40,000 sf | At/behind front wall of house | 15' | 10' | 10' |
| 10,000 to 40,000 sf | At/behind front wall of house | 15' | 5' | 5' |
Small accessory structures with a gross floor area of 150 square feet or less and a height of 10 feet or less are permitted a reduced minimum setback of 5 feet from side and rear property lines [Sec. 6.7.2.C.1].
Measurement and Encroachments
The City of Raleigh measures building setbacks as follows:
- Primary and Side Street: Measured perpendicular from the edge of the existing or proposed right-of-way, whichever is greater [Sec. 1.5.4.B.1].
- Side Setback: Measured perpendicular from the side property line [Sec. 1.5.4.B.2].
- Rear Setback: Measured perpendicular from the rear property line [Sec. 1.5.4.B.3].
Permitted Encroachments
Certain building features are allowed to extend into the required setbacks:
- Porches, Decks, and Patios: If greater than 1 foot in height, they may extend 12 feet into a required side or rear setback (maintaining a 3-foot gap from the property line) and 9 feet into a primary or side street setback [Sec. 1.5.4.D.1.a].
- Eaves and Overhangs: May extend up to 5 feet into a required setback [Sec. 1.5.4.D.1.e].
- Chimneys and Flues: May extend up to 4 feet into a required setback [Sec. 1.5.4.D.1.d].
Sections Cited
- Sec. 1.5.4. Building Setbacks
- Sec. 2.1.2. Housing Options
- Sec. 2.2.1. Detached House (Conventional)
- Sec. 2.2.5. Civic Building (Conventional)
- Sec. 2.2.6. Open Lot (Conventional)
- Sec. 2.2.8. Tiny Houses (Conventional)
- Sec. 2.2.9. General Building (Conventional)
- Sec. 2.3.2. Detached House (Compact)
- Sec. 2.3.6. Civic Building (Compact)
- Sec. 2.3.7. Open Lot (Compact)
- Sec. 2.4.2. Detached House (Conservation)
- Sec. 2.4.6. Civic Building (Conservation)
- Sec. 2.4.7. Open Lot (Conservation)
- Sec. 6.7.2. Accessory Structures