Raleigh Self-Storage and Warehousing Zoning Regulations
In the City of Raleigh, self-service storage is allowed as a limited use in the OP-, CX-, DX-, and IX- Districts and by right in the IH District, provided specific site size and building enclosure standards are met. Warehousing and distribution facilities are more restricted, permitted only within the IX- and IH Districts to ensure these high-intensity industrial activities are separated from residential and light commercial areas. Both use types generally have no maximum vehicle parking limits but must adhere to strict internal access and screening requirements in mixed-use environments.
Allowed Districts for Storage and Warehousing
The City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) distinguishes between "Self-Service Storage" (individual units for personal/business use) and "Warehouse & Distribution" (large-scale movement of goods).
Use Permission Table
| Use Category | RX- | OP- | OX- | NX- | CX- | DX- | IX- | IH- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Service Storage | -- | L | -- | -- | L | L | L | P |
| Warehouse & Distribution | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | P | P |
| Wholesale Trade | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | P | P |
Key: P = Permitted by right; L = Limited Use (requires meeting specific standards); -- = Use Not Permitted [Sec. 6.1.4]
Standards for Self-Service Storage
When the City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance classifies Self-Service Storage as a "Limited Use," the development must comply with the specific standards defined in Article 6.5.
CX- (Commercial Mixed Use) and IX- (Industrial Mixed Use) Districts
- Minimum Site Size: The facility must be located on a site of at least 2 acres [Sec. 6.5.5.B.1 and Sec. 6.5.5.B.3].
- Enclosure: All storage must be contained within a fully-enclosed building.
- Frontage Restrictions: In the CX- District, if an Urban Frontage is applied, storage units are prohibited on the ground floor [Sec. 6.5.5.B.1].
- Outdoor Storage: In the CX- District, the outdoor storage of boats or RVs is prohibited. In the IX- District, such storage may be permitted if it follows the standards for outdoor display and storage [Sec. 6.5.5.B.1 and Sec. 6.5.5.B.3].
DX- (Downtown Mixed Use) District
- Building Design: All storage must be in a single building and accessed internally.
- Ground Floor Use: Storage units are strictly prohibited on the ground floor of the building.
- Outdoor Storage: No outdoor storage of vehicles, boats, or RVs is permitted [Sec. 6.5.5.B.2].
OP- (Office Park) District
The City of Raleigh imposes the most extensive restrictions on self-storage within the OP- District to preserve the employment-heavy nature of the zone:
- Location: Facilities cannot be located on a site with frontage along a rail corridor or within 1,320 feet of a rail corridor.
- Vertical Limit: The use cannot be located above the fifth floor of any building.
- Transparency: Upper stories must maintain between 10% and 20% transparency per floor.
- Lighting: Internal illumination in upper stories must be screened so light sources are not visible from the exterior. Sensor lighting is required to shut off after 20 minutes of inactivity.
- Area Cap: No more than 10% of the total land area within a contiguous area zoned OP- can be developed for self-service storage [Sec. 6.5.5.B.4].
Warehouse & Distribution Requirements
The City of Raleigh defines Warehouse & Distribution as facilities involved in the storage or movement of goods with little on-site sales activity. This includes bulk storage of nonflammable liquids, cold storage, moving companies, and parcel services [Sec. 6.5.7.A].
- IX- and IH Districts: These are the only districts where this use is permitted by right.
- Heavy Industrial (IH) Screening: If a warehouse in the IH District abuts a Residential, Mixed Use, or Special District, it must be screened by a Type B1 or B2 transitional protective yard [Sec. 7.5.3.B.2].
Parking Requirements
The City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance establishes specific parking maximums and minimums for industrial and commercial uses.
| Use Category | Vehicle Parking (max) | Short-Term Bicycle (min) | Long-Term Bicycle (min) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Service Storage | No maximum | None | None |
| Warehouse & Distribution | No maximum | None | None |
| Wholesale Trade | No maximum | None | None |
[Sec. 7.1.2.C]
Sections Cited
- Sec. 6.1.4. Allowed Principal Use Table
- Sec. 6.5.5. Self-Service Storage
- Sec. 6.5.7. Warehouse & Distribution
- Sec. 7.1.2.C. Parking Requirements by Use
- Sec. 7.5.3.B. General Outdoor Storage Standards