RX-: Residential Mixed Use District Guide for the City of Raleigh
The RX-: Residential Mixed Use district in the City of Raleigh is designed for residential densities exceeding 10 units per acre and serves as a vital land-use transition between high-intensity mixed-use areas and established neighborhoods. While primarily residential, the City of Raleigh allows for limited commercial and retail activities up to 4,000 square feet, strictly confined to the ground floor corner units of apartment buildings [Section 3.1.1.A].
Purpose and Intent of the RX- District
The RX-: Residential Mixed Use district is categorized as a Mixed Use District under the City of Raleigh’s Unified Development Ordinance. The primary goal of this district is to provide a variety of residential building types and housing options to support urban growth [Section 3.1.1.A].
Beyond housing, the RX-: Residential Mixed Use district functions as a buffer. In the City of Raleigh's planning framework, it acts as a "land use transition," helping to step down the intensity from high-traffic commercial zones to quieter residential neighborhoods [Section 3.1.1.A].
Permitted Building Types
The City of Raleigh permits a specific range of building types within the RX-: Residential Mixed Use district. Notably, while it is a mixed-use district, "General Buildings" and "Mixed Use Buildings" (multi-story buildings with full ground-floor retail) are not permitted [Section 1.4.2].
| Building Type | Permission Status |
|---|---|
| Detached House | Permitted |
| Attached House | Permitted |
| Townhouse | Permitted |
| Apartment | Permitted |
| Tiny House | Permitted |
| Civic Building | Permitted |
| Open Lot | Permitted |
| General Building | Not Permitted |
| Mixed Use Building | Not Permitted |
| [Section 1.4.2] |
Permitted Land Uses
The RX-: Residential Mixed Use district primarily allows residential uses by right. However, the City of Raleigh imposes strict "Limited Use" (L) standards on commercial activities to maintain the residential character of the neighborhood [Section 6.1.4].
Residential Uses
- Permitted by Right (P): Single-unit living, two-unit living, multi-unit living, cottage courts, congregate care, and rest homes [Section 6.1.4].
- Limited (L): Continuing care retirement communities and frequent transit development options [Section 6.1.4].
Commercial and Retail Uses
Commercial uses in the RX-: Residential Mixed Use district are limited to the following categories:
- Medical and Office: Only allowed as a limited use [Section 6.1.4].
- Retail and Personal Service: Limited to ground-floor corner units [Section 6.1.4].
- Eating Establishments: Allowed as a limited use, provided they do not exceed 4,000 square feet [Section 6.1.4].
Specific RX- Use Restrictions: Commercial uses in the RX-: Residential Mixed Use district are limited to the first floor of a corner unit in an Apartment building type located at the intersection of two public streets. The total commercial area for these uses cannot exceed 4,000 square feet per lot [Section 3.4.10.I].
Base Dimensional Standards
Dimensional standards in the RX-: Residential Mixed Use district vary based on the building type. The City of Raleigh uses these standards to ensure consistent massing and scale [Section 3.2].
| Standard (Apartment Building Example) | RX- Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 7,500 sf |
| Outdoor Amenity Area (min) | 10% |
| Primary Street Setback (min) | 10' |
| Side Street Setback (min) | 10' |
| Side Lot Line Setback (min) | 5' |
| Rear Lot Line Setback (min) | 20' |
| [Section 3.2.4] |
Height and Frontage Components
Every RX-: Residential Mixed Use district must include a height designation, which determines the maximum number of stories and feet allowed for buildings [Section 3.1.2].
| Height Designation | Maximum Stories | Maximum Feet |
|---|---|---|
| -3 | 3 Stories | 50' |
| -4 | 4 Stories | 68' |
| -5 | 5 Stories | 80' |
| -7 | 7 Stories | Not Specified in RX |
| [Section 3.3.1, 3.3.2] |
The City of Raleigh also allows for optional "Frontage" designations (e.g., -PK Parkway, -DE Detached, -SH Shopfront) to be applied to the RX-: Residential Mixed Use district. These frontages place additional limitations on building placement and the street edge beyond the base dimensional standards [Section 3.1.2, 3.4.1].
Sections Cited
- Section 1.3.1 General Use Zoning Districts
- Section 1.4.2 Building Types Allowed by District
- Section 3.1.1 District Intent Statements
- Section 3.1.2 District Components
- Section 3.2 Base Dimensional Standards
- Section 3.2.4 Apartment
- Section 3.3.1 Height Applicability
- Section 3.3.2 Building Height Standards
- Section 3.4.1 Frontage Purpose and Intent
- Section 3.4.10.I Use Requirements in RX
- Section 6.1.4 Allowed Principal Use Table