Raleigh R-6: Residential-6 District Setback Standards
In the City of Raleigh R-6: Residential-6 district, principal building setbacks generally require a minimum of 10 feet from primary and side streets. Side lot line setbacks are typically 5 to 10 feet, while rear lot line setbacks are standard at 20 feet, although these dimensions may be adjusted based on specific building types, residential infill compatibility rules, or the chosen development option.
Conventional Development Option Setbacks
Under the Conventional Development Option in the City of Raleigh, the R-6: Residential-6 district provides for a variety of building types with standardized setback requirements. Residential infill compatibility rules (Sec. 2.2.7) apply to Detached, Attached, and Townhouse building types in this district [Sec. 2.2.1, Sec. 2.2.2, Sec. 2.2.3].
Principal Building Setbacks: Conventional Option
| Building Type | Primary Street (Min) | Side Street (Min) | Side Lot Line (Min) | Rear Lot Line (Min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached House | 10' | 10' | 5' | 20' |
| Attached House | 10' | 10' | 5' | 20' |
| Townhouse | 10' | 10' | 10' (Site Boundary) | 20' (Site Boundary) |
| Civic Building | 10' | 10' | 10' | 20' |
| Open Lot | 10' | 10' | 10' | 20' |
| Tiny House | 10' | 10' | 5' | 10' |
Note: Townhouse developments in the City of Raleigh R-6 district also require an internal building separation of at least 10 feet [Sec. 2.2.3].
Compact Development Option Setbacks
The Compact Development Option in the City of Raleigh allows for reduced lot sizes in exchange for increased common open space. In the R-6: Residential-6 district, the setbacks for these developments are as follows [Sec. 2.3.2, Sec. 2.3.3, Sec. 2.3.4]:
Principal Building Setbacks: Compact Option
| Building Type | Primary Street (Min) | Side Street (Min) | Side Lot Line (Min) | Rear Lot Line (Min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached House | 10' | 10' | 5' | 20' |
| Attached House | 10' | 10' | 5' | 20' |
| Townhouse | 10' | 10' | 10' (Site Boundary) | 20' (Site Boundary) |
| Civic Building | 10' | 10' | 10' | 20' |
| Open Lot | 10' | 10' | 10' | 20' |
Conservation Development Option Setbacks
The Conservation Development Option in the City of Raleigh focuses on preserving environmental features and open space. This option allows for the most diverse array of building types in the R-6: Residential-6 district, including apartments [Sec. 2.4.2, Sec. 2.4.3, Sec. 2.4.4, Sec. 2.4.5].
Principal Building Setbacks: Conservation Option
| Building Type | Primary Street (Min) | Side Street (Min) | Side Lot Line (Min) | Rear Lot Line (Min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached House | 10' | 10' | 5' | 20' |
| Attached House | 10' | 10' | 5' | 20' |
| Townhouse | 10' | 10' | 10' (Site Boundary) | 20' (Site Boundary) |
| Apartment | 10' | 10' | 5' | 20' |
| Civic Building | 10' | 10' | 10' | 20' |
| Open Lot | 10' | 10' | 10' | 20' |
Additional Housing Pattern Setbacks
The City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance identifies specific setbacks for unique housing patterns within the R-6: Residential-6 district, including Cottage Courts and Flag Lots [Sec. 2.6.1, Sec. 2.6.4].
Cottage Court and Flag Lot Setbacks (R-6)
| Pattern Type | Primary Street (Min) | Side Street (Min) | Side Lot Line (Min) | Rear Lot Line (Min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottage Court (Site) | 10' | 10' | 10' | 20' |
| Flag Lot (Principal) | 10' | 10' | 5' | 10' |
Frequent Transit Development Option
When the Frequent Transit Development Option is utilized within a designated Frequent Transit Area in the City of Raleigh, the R-6: Residential-6 district setbacks are modified to encourage density near transit [Sec. 2.7.1].
Principal Building Setbacks: Frequent Transit Option
| Standard | Minimum Distance |
|---|---|
| From Primary Street | 10' |
| From Side Street | 10' |
| From Side Lot Line | 5' |
| From Rear Lot Line | 15' |
| From Alley | 4' or 20' |
Residential Infill Compatibility
In the City of Raleigh, the primary street setback for any building in an R-6: Residential-6 district may be subject to infill compatibility standards if the site is 5 acres or less and the street has been platted for at least 20 years. In these cases, the required setback is determined by a "comparative sample" of the four closest principal buildings on the same block face. The proposed building must be located no closer than the smallest primary street setback and no further than the largest in that sample [Sec. 2.2.7].
Sections Cited
- Article 2.2. Conventional Development Option
- Sec. 2.2.1. Detached House
- Sec. 2.2.2. Attached House
- Sec. 2.2.3. Townhouse
- Sec. 2.2.7. Residential Infill Compatibility
- Sec. 2.2.8. Tiny Houses
- Article 2.3. Compact Development
- Sec. 2.3.2. Detached House
- Sec. 2.3.3. Attached House
- Sec. 2.3.4. Townhouse
- Article 2.4. Conservation Development Option
- Sec. 2.4.2. Detached House
- Sec. 2.4.3. Attached House
- Sec. 2.4.4. Townhouse
- Sec. 2.4.5. Apartment
- Article 2.6. Additional Housing Patterns
- Sec. 2.6.1. Cottage Court
- Sec. 2.6.4. Flag Lots
- Article 2.7. Frequent Transit Development Option
- Sec. 2.7.1. Frequent Transit Development Option