Regulations and Use Standards for the RX-: Residential Mixed Use District in Raleigh

The RX- District in Raleigh is a mixed residential designation intended to accommodate various housing types at densities exceeding 10 dwelling units per acre while serving as a land-use transition between neighborhoods and more intense mixed-use areas. This district allows for a limited integration of retail and services, provided these uses are restricted to the ground floor corner units of apartment buildings and do not exceed 4,000 square feet per lot. Commercial activities in the Raleigh RX- District are strictly limited to intersections of two public streets to maintain the residential character of the corridor [Section 3.1.1.A].

Allowed Residential Uses

The RX- District primarily permits high-density residential living. While many uses are permitted by right, certain patterns like the Frequent Transit Development Option require adherence to specific limited-use standards.

Use Type	Permission Level	Use Standards
Single-unit living	Permitted (P)	[Section 6.2.1.B]
Two-unit living	Permitted (P)	[Section 6.2.1.C]
Multi-unit living	Permitted (P)	[Section 6.2.1.D]
Cottage court	Permitted (P)	[Section 6.2.1.E]
Frequent Transit Development Option	Limited (L)	[Section 6.1.2.K]
Multi-unit supportive housing residence	Limited (L)	[Section 6.2.1.I]
Supportive housing residence	Limited (L)	[Section 6.2.1.J]
Boardinghouse	Limited (L)	[Section 6.2.2.B]
Congregate care	Limited (L)	[Section 6.2.2.C]
Dormitory, fraternity, sorority	Permitted (P)	[Section 6.2.2.D]
Continuing care retirement community	Limited (L)	[Section 6.2.2.E]
Rest home	Permitted (P)	[Section 6.2.2.F]

Allowed Public and Institutional Uses

Raleigh allows various civic and infrastructure uses within the RX- District to support the residential population.

Use Type	Permission Level	Use Standards
Civic	Permitted (P)	[Section 6.3.1.A]
Cemetery	Limited (L)	[Section 6.3.1.B]
School, public or private (K-12)	Limited (L)	[Section 6.3.1.D]
Parks, Open Space, and Greenways	Permitted (P)	[Section 6.3.2.A]
Minor Utilities	Permitted (P)	[Section 6.3.3.A]
Telecommunication tower (<250 ft)	Limited (L)	[Section 6.3.3.C]
Telecommunication tower (≥250 ft)	Special (S)	[Section 6.3.3.D]

Allowed Commercial and Open Uses

Commercial activity is highly regulated in the Raleigh RX- District. Most commercial uses must be "neighborhood-scale" and are restricted by specific locational and size requirements.

Use Type	Permission Level	Use Standards
Day care, home	Limited (L)	[Section 6.4.1.B]
Day care center	Special (S)	[Section 6.4.1.C]
Health club	Limited (L)	[Section 6.4.2.C]
Medical	Limited (L)	[Section 6.4.3.B]
Office	Limited (L)	[Section 6.4.4.B]
Short-Term Rental	Limited (L)	[Section 6.4.6.E]
Hospitality house	Permitted (P)	[Section 6.4.6.C]
Personal service	Limited (L)	[Section 6.4.9.G]
Eating establishment	Limited (L)	[Section 6.4.10.C]
Retail Sales	Limited (L)	[Section 6.4.11.D]
Community garden	Limited (L)	[Section 6.6.1.B]
Urban farm	Special (S)	[Section 6.6.1.E]

Commercial Use Standards in RX-

For Health Clubs, Medical facilities, Offices, Personal Services, Eating Establishments, and Retail Sales to be permitted as Limited (L) uses in the RX- District, they must meet the following criteria:

The use must be located on the first floor of a corner unit within an apartment building type [Section 6.4.11.D].
The building must be located at the intersection of two public streets [Section 6.4.10.C].
The use cannot exceed 4,000 square feet in gross floor area per lot, whether individually or cumulatively with other allowed limited commercial uses [Section 6.4.4.B].
Hours of operation are restricted to between 6:00 AM and 11:00 PM, including deliveries [Section 6.4.9.D].
Drive-thru or drive-in facilities are strictly prohibited [Section 6.4.11.D].

Prohibited Uses

Under the Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance, any use not explicitly listed in the Allowed Principal Use Table is prohibited. Specific uses that are explicitly denied or not permitted (--) in the RX- District include:

Commercial/Industrial: Adult establishments, Pawnshops, Vehicle fuel sales, Vehicle sales/rental, Heavy industrial uses, Light manufacturing, and Warehouse/distribution [Section 6.1.4].
Recreation: Movie theaters, outdoor sports facilities with more than 250 seats (unless approved via Special Use Permit), and adult entertainment [Section 6.4.2].
Infrastructure: Major utilities (except as provided) and government water/wastewater treatment plants [Section 6.3.3].
General: Any use of a "prima fascia business, commercial, or industrial character" that does not meet the specific corner-unit apartment standards for the RX- District [Section 6.1.5.A].

Sections Cited