Setback Requirements for the Raleigh Planned Development (PD) District
In the City of Raleigh, the PD: Planned Development district does not have fixed minimum or maximum setbacks defined by a universal table. Instead, all front, side, and rear setbacks are customized for each specific development and are established through a project-specific Master Plan and Detailed Layout Map approved by the Raleigh City Council [Sec. 4.7.2.B]. The PD District is explicitly intended to serve as a relief mechanism from the prescriptive standards of general use zoning districts, allowing for unique site-specific configurations [Sec. 4.7.2.A].
Customization of Setbacks in the PD District
Because the PD: Planned Development district is a "customized zoning district," the standard requirements found in other Raleigh residential or mixed-use districts do not apply unless they are specifically incorporated into the project’s Master Plan [Sec. 4.7.1]. During the rezoning process to a PD District, the applicant proposes a set of standards that can modify the default setbacks found in Chapter 2 (Residential Districts) and Chapter 3 (Mixed Use Districts) of the Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance [Sec. 4.7.2.B].
Summary of PD District Setback Standards
The following table outlines how setbacks are governed within a Raleigh Planned Development.
| Setback Type | PD District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Primary Street (Front) Setback | Determined by the approved Master Plan and Detailed Layout Map [Sec. 4.7.4.A.5] |
| Side Street Setback | Determined by the approved Master Plan and Detailed Layout Map [Sec. 4.7.4.A.5] |
| Side (Interior) Setback | Determined by the approved Master Plan and Detailed Layout Map [Sec. 4.7.4.A.5] |
| Rear Setback | Determined by the approved Master Plan and Detailed Layout Map [Sec. 4.7.4.A.5] |
| Parking Setbacks | Determined by the approved Master Plan and Detailed Layout Map [Sec. 4.7.4.A.5] |
Required Documentation for Setbacks
To establish legal setbacks for a site in the City of Raleigh zoned as a PD District, the applicant must submit a Master Plan that includes a Detailed Layout Map. According to the City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance, this map must specify:
- The maximum and minimum building heights.
- The maximum and minimum building setback lines for all structures.
- The maximum and minimum setback lines for all parking areas [Sec. 4.7.4.A.5].
If a PD District includes multiple subdistricts, the maximum and minimum setbacks must be defined for each subdistrict to ensure the project achieves a high quality of design without adversely impacting the surrounding area [Sec. 4.7.2.C].
General UDO Applicability
While the PD District allows for the modification of setbacks, development within the district must still conform to all other applicable provisions of the Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance unless the Master Plan explicitly notes a deviation [Sec. 4.7.2.A]. For example, the rules regarding how setbacks are measured (perpendicular from the property line or right-of-way) generally follow the rules of applicability established in the introductory provisions of the code, unless the Master Plan provides an alternative measurement methodology [Sec. 1.5.4].
Sections Cited
- Sec. 1.5.4. Building Setbacks
- Sec. 4.7.1. Establishment of a PD District
- Sec. 4.7.2. Modification of Standards
- Sec. 4.7.4. Application Requirements