Raleigh SC: Shopping Center Legacy Zoning District
The SC: Shopping Center is a legacy zoning district in the City of Raleigh characterized by planned unified developments containing commercial, office, and recreational uses. To qualify under this designation, a project within the City of Raleigh must maintain a minimum of 25,000 square feet of gross floor area and host at least three distinct establishments [Section 1.3.4, Section 6.4.12].
General Character and District Intent
The SC: Shopping Center district is categorized by the City of Raleigh as a "Legacy District." This means the district exists within the previous Part 10 Zoning Code but is being phased out in favor of new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) districts [Section 1.3.4].
Under Raleigh development regulations, the following restrictions apply to the district's status:
- No new SC: Shopping Center districts may be added to the City of Raleigh Official Zoning Map [Section 1.3.4].
- The boundaries of any existing SC: Shopping Center legacy district cannot be modified [Section 1.3.4].
- The district is intended to eventually be replaced by a modern UDO zoning district [Section 1.3.4].
Use Category and Standards
The City of Raleigh defines the Shopping Center as a planned unified development. It is a specific use category under "Commercial Uses" that must meet several minimum criteria to be recognized as such [Section 6.4.12, Section 12.2].
Development Thresholds
To fall under this category in the City of Raleigh, a development must meet these specific standards:
- Minimum Establishments: The development must contain at least three separate establishments [Section 6.4.12].
- Use Mix: The development must include a minimum of one commercial or recreational use [Section 6.4.12].
- Minimum Size: The project must have at least 25,000 square feet of gross floor area [Section 12.2].
Permitted Land Use Types
The SC: Shopping Center district is designed to accommodate a blend of the following functional uses:
- Dedicated commercial activities.
- Professional and administrative offices.
- Recreational facilities.
- Public and institutional uses [Section 6.4.12].
Development and Parking Standards
The City of Raleigh applies specific parking maximums and minimums to the Shopping Center use category. Notably, for mixed-use sites where at least one use has no specified maximum, the Shopping Center parking category serves as the default maximum for those uses [Section 7.1.2.A.2].
| Standard Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Gross Floor Area | 25,000 square feet |
| Minimum Number of Establishments | 3 |
| Maximum Vehicle Parking | 1 space per 200 SF of gross floor area |
| Minimum Short-Term Bicycle Parking | 1 space per 5,000 SF of gross floor area (min. 4) |
| Long-Term Bicycle Parking | None required |
| Site Plan Group | Group C |
[Section 7.1.2.C]
Sections Cited
- Section 1.3.4 (Legacy Districts)
- Section 6.4.12 (Shopping Center Use Category)
- Section 7.1.2.A (Calculation of Parking Requirements)
- Section 7.1.2.C (Parking Requirements by Use)
- Section 12.2 (Defined Terms)