Residential Building Height Standards in Raleigh
In the City of Raleigh, the maximum allowable height for a standard detached or attached house is typically 40 feet or 3 stories. For the "Tiny House" building type, the City of Raleigh imposes a stricter limit of 26 feet and 2 stories. These base standards are frequently modified by Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Districts (NCOD), which can reduce height limits to as low as 28.7 feet in specific communities.
Maximum Height by Residential Building Type
The City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance defines height limits based on the specific building type and the underlying zoning district. Most residential development falls under the Conventional Development Option.
| Building Type | Zoning Districts | Max Height (Feet) | Max Height (Stories) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached House | R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, R-10 | 40' | 3 Stories |
| Attached House | R-2, R-4, R-6, R-10 | 40' | 3 Stories |
| Tiny House | R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, R-10 | 26' | 2 Stories |
| Townhouse | R-2, R-4, R-6, R-10 | 40' - 45' | 3 Stories |
[Section 2.2.1, Section 2.2.2, Section 2.2.8]
Height in Mixed Use and Special Districts
In City of Raleigh Mixed Use Districts, residential houses often maintain the same 40-foot base limit as found in purely residential zones, though specific frontage requirements or transit options may allow for variations.
| Building Type | District Category | Max Height (Feet) | Max Height (Stories) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached House | Mixed Use (RX-, OX-, NX-, CX-) | 40' | 3 Stories |
| Attached House | Mixed Use (RX-, OX-, NX-, CX-) | 40' | 3 Stories |
| Tiny House | Mixed Use (RX-, OX-, NX-, CX-) | 26' | 2 Stories |
| Detached House | Agricultural Productive (AP) | 40' | 3 Stories |
[Section 3.2.1, Section 3.2.2, Section 3.2.9, Section 4.3.1]
Neighborhood-Specific Height Restrictions (NCOD)
Many established neighborhoods in the City of Raleigh are subject to Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Districts (NCOD). These overlays override the base zoning to protect the specific character of a neighborhood, often resulting in lower maximum heights.
- North Hills: Limited to 28.7 feet and 2 stories [Section 5.4.3.F.11].
- North Ridge South: Limited to 30 feet [Section 5.4.3.F.12].
- North Ridge West: Limited to 29 feet [Section 5.4.3.F.13].
- Five Points East: Limited to 35 feet [Section 5.4.3.F.3].
- Cameron Park: Generally limited to 38 feet, with specific streets limited to 34 feet [Section 5.4.3.F.2].
- Brookhaven: Limited to 2.5 stories [Section 5.4.3.F.1].
Environmental and Corridor Height Overlays
Certain geographic areas in the City of Raleigh have additional height regulations based on their proximity to specific landmarks or infrastructure.
Metro-Park Overlay District (-MPOD)
Residential buildings and structures located within 1,000 feet of a Metro-Park boundary (such as William B. Umstead State Park) are limited to a maximum height of 45 feet, provided that no building is greater than 2.5 stories [Section 5.2.2.D.3].
Airport Overlay District (-AOD)
In areas near the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, the City of Raleigh applies the more restrictive height limit between the underlying zoning and the regulations adopted by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority [Section 5.2.1.B.2].
Special Highway Overlay Districts (-SHOD)
In a -SHOD-1 corridor, buildings and structures cannot exceed 80 feet or 5 stories, whichever is less. However, the underlying residential district limits (typically 40 feet) still apply if they are more restrictive [Section 5.3.1.E].
Height Measurement and Encroachments
The City of Raleigh measures building height from the average post-development grade to the top of the highest point of a pitched or flat roof. Parapet walls are allowed to encroach above the maximum height by 4 feet for a 3-story building, with one additional foot of encroachment allowed for each additional story, up to a maximum of 12 feet [Section 1.5.7.A].
Specific architectural features are exempt from the maximum height limits of the district, provided they are not intended for human occupancy:
- Spires, belfries, cupolas, and domes.
- Bell towers and monuments.
- Water tanks and towers [Section 1.5.7.D].
Sections Cited
- Section 1.5.7. Height
- Section 2.2.1. Detached House
- Section 2.2.2. Attached House
- Section 2.2.8. Tiny Houses
- Section 3.2.1. Detached House
- Section 3.2.2. Attached House
- Section 3.2.9. Tiny House
- Section 4.3.1. Detached House
- Section 5.2.1. Airport Overlay District (-AOD)
- Section 5.2.2. Metro-Park Overlay District (-MPOD)
- Section 5.3.1. Special Highway Overlay Districts (-SHOD-)
- Section 5.4.3. Neighborhood Conservation District (-NCOD)