Raleigh R-20 Residential-20 Legacy Zoning District
The R-20: Residential-20 district is a legacy zoning classification in Raleigh, North Carolina, that originates from the city's previous Part 10 Zoning Code. Under the current Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), these districts are slated for eventual replacement, and the City of Raleigh prohibits the creation of new R-20 districts or any modifications to their existing boundaries [Sec. 1.3.4].
Purpose and Regulatory Status
The R-20 district is identified by the City of Raleigh as a "Legacy District." Its primary purpose is to maintain established zoning for specific properties until they can be transitioned into modern Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) zoning districts [Sec. 1.3.4].
Because the R-20 district is a holdover from a previous regulatory framework, it is subject to the following administrative restrictions within the City of Raleigh:
- No New Districts: No land within the Raleigh jurisdiction may be newly rezoned to the R-20 classification [Sec. 1.3.4].
- No Boundary Changes: The existing boundaries of any R-20 district cannot be modified or expanded [Sec. 1.3.4].
- Placeholder Status: These districts will eventually be replaced by current UDO zoning districts to ensure consistency with the 2030 Comprehensive Plan [Sec. 1.3.4].
Permitted Land Uses
The R-20 district is unique in that it is not included in the standard "Allowed Principal Use Table" used for modern Raleigh zoning districts like R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, and R-10 [Sec. 6.1.4].
While modern districts have clearly defined permissions for housing types such as Detached Houses, Attached Houses, or Tiny Houses, the specific land uses permitted in an R-20 district are governed by the regulations found in the older Part 10 Zoning Code [Sec. 1.3.4]. Landowners in an R-20 district must reference that legacy code for specific use permissions until the property undergoes a formal rezoning to a current UDO district.
General Character and Standards
The general character of the R-20 district is defined by its transitionary nature. As a legacy district, it does not conform to the modern "Base Dimensional Standards" established for new developments in Raleigh [Sec. 3.2.1, Sec. 4.1.1].
Legacy District Summary Table
The following table summarizes the administrative status of the R-20 district compared to modern Raleigh residential districts:
| Regulatory Feature | R-20 (Legacy District) | R-1 through R-10 (UDO Districts) |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Part 10 Zoning Code | Unified Development Ordinance |
| Expansion Allowed | No [Sec. 1.3.4] | Yes |
| Use Table Presence | Absent from UDO Table [Sec. 6.1.4] | Included in UDO Table |
| Future Outlook | Eventual replacement [Sec. 1.3.4] | Permanent/Standard |
| Zoning Map Status | Existing only; no new additions | Available for rezoning |
Sections Cited
- Sec. 1.3.4. Legacy Districts
- Sec. 3.2.1. Detached House (Base Dimensional Standards)
- Sec. 4.1.1. District Intent Statements (Special Districts)
- Sec. 6.1.4. Allowed Principal Use Table