Raleigh Zoning Districts Permitting Single-Family Residential Development
In the City of Raleigh, single-family residential homes (categorized as "Single-unit living") are permitted by right in all Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, and R-10), most Mixed Use Districts (RX, OX, NX, CX, and DX), and the Agricultural Productive (AP) Special District [Section 6.1.4]. These dwellings are primarily developed as "Detached House" or "Tiny House" building types, with minimum lot sizes ranging from 4,000 square feet in high-density residential zones to 125,000 square feet in agricultural zones [Section 2.2.1, Section 4.3.1].
Permitted Districts and Building Types
The City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) regulates single-family homes through "Single-unit living" uses and the "Detached House" building type. A Detached House is defined as a building constructed to accommodate one dwelling unit on a single lot [Section 1.4.1.A]. Tiny Houses, which accommodate one or two principal units with a footprint no greater than 800 square feet, are also permitted in many of the same districts [Section 1.4.1.I].
Districts Allowing Single-Family Homes (Single-Unit Living)
The following table identifies which zoning districts in the City of Raleigh allow single-unit living as a permitted (P) use [Section 6.1.4].
| District Category | Specific District Name | Single-Unit Living Permission | Allowed Building Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | Residential-1 (R-1) | Permitted | Detached House, Tiny House |
| Residential-2 (R-2) | Permitted | Detached House, Tiny House | |
| Residential-4 (R-4) | Permitted | Detached House, Tiny House | |
| Residential-6 (R-6) | Permitted | Detached House, Tiny House | |
| Residential-10 (R-10) | Permitted | Detached House, Tiny House | |
| Mixed Use | Residential Mixed Use (RX) | Permitted | Detached House, Tiny House |
| Office Mixed Use (OX) | Permitted | Detached House, Tiny House | |
| Neighborhood Mixed Use (NX) | Permitted | Detached House, Tiny House | |
| Commercial Mixed Use (CX) | Permitted | Detached House, Tiny House | |
| Downtown Mixed Use (DX) | Permitted | Detached House, Tiny House | |
| Special | Agricultural Productive (AP) | Permitted | Detached House |
| Manufactured Housing (MH) | Permitted* | Pre-existing lots only |
*Single-unit living is permitted on pre-existing lots in the MH district provided they conform to R-6 design characteristics [Section 4.5.1.C].
Technical Standards for Detached Houses in Residential Districts
In the City of Raleigh, Residential Districts establish specific lot dimensions and setback requirements for the Detached House building type under the "Conventional Development Option" [Section 2.2.1].
| Standard | R-1 | R-2 | R-4 | R-6 | R-10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min. Lot Area | 40,000 sf | 20,000 sf | 10,000 sf | 6,000 sf | 4,000 sf |
| Min. Lot Width | 100' | 80' | 65' | 50' | 45' |
| Min. Lot Depth | 100' | 100' | 100' | 80' | 60' |
| Max. Height | 40' / 3 stories | 40' / 3 stories | 40' / 3 stories | 40' / 3 stories | 40' / 3 stories |
| Primary/Side Street Setback | 20' | 20' | 20' | 10' | 10' |
| Side Lot Line Setback | 10' | 10' | 10' | 5' | 5' |
| Rear Lot Line Setback | 30' | 30' | 30' | 20' | 20' |
Technical Standards for Detached Houses in Mixed Use Districts
When a Detached House is constructed in a Mixed Use District in the City of Raleigh, it must follow the "Base Dimensional Standards" unless a specific frontage is applied [Section 3.2.1].
| Standard | RX, OX, NX, CX | DX |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Lot Area | 4,000 sf | n/a |
| Min. Lot Width | 45' | n/a |
| Max. Height | 40' / 3 stories | 40' / 3 stories |
| Primary/Side Street Setback (min) | 10' | 5' |
| Side Lot Line Setback (min) | 5' | 3' |
| Rear Lot Line Setback (min) | 20' | 10' |
Special Exceptions and Patterns
- Agricultural Productive (AP): This district requires a significantly larger minimum lot area of 125,000 square feet and a minimum lot width of 350 feet for a detached house. Principal building setbacks from all property lines must be 150 feet [Section 4.3.1].
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): The City of Raleigh allows the development of one self-contained accessory dwelling unit on a lot with an existing Detached House or Tiny House in any R-, RX-, OX-, NX-, or CX- district [Section 2.6.3, Section 3.6.2].
- Cottage Courts: A specialized housing pattern where a group of small detached houses or tiny houses share a common central courtyard. This is allowed in R-2, R-4, R-6, R-10, RX, OX, NX, and CX districts [Section 2.6.1, Section 3.6.1].
Sections Cited
- Section 1.4.1 Building Type Descriptions
- Section 1.4.2 Building Types Allowed by District
- Section 2.1.1 District Intent Statements
- Section 2.2.1 Detached House (Residential)
- Section 2.6.1 Cottage Court (Residential)
- Section 2.6.3 Accessory Dwelling (Residential)
- Section 3.2.1 Detached House (Mixed Use)
- Section 3.6.1 Cottage Court (Mixed Use)
- Section 3.6.2 Accessory Dwelling (Mixed Use)
- Section 4.3.1 Detached House (Agricultural Productive)
- Section 4.5.1 Site Size, Residential Density and Land Use (Manufactured Housing)
- Section 6.1.4 Allowed Principal Use Table