Setback Standards for the CX-: Commercial Mixed Use District in Raleigh
In the City of Raleigh, the CX-: Commercial Mixed Use district establishes base setbacks ranging from 0 to 20 feet depending on the specific building type, such as apartments or general buildings. These requirements are further modified by mandatory or optional frontages, which can require buildings to be placed within narrow "build-to" ranges or as far back as 50 feet in the case of the Parkway frontage. Additionally, if a CX- property abuts a residential district, neighborhood transition rules mandate protective yards and use-restricted zones up to 50 feet wide [Sec. 3.2.4, Sec. 3.4.3, Sec. 3.5.1].
Base Setback Requirements by Building Type
In the City of Raleigh CX- district, minimum setbacks are determined by the specific building type being constructed. For higher-density types like apartments and general buildings, the City of Raleigh allows for zero-foot setbacks on side and rear property lines under certain conditions (typically involving fire-rated construction), whereas lower-density residential types require larger separations [Sec. 3.2.1 through Sec. 3.2.8].
| Building Type | Primary Street Setback (Min) | Side Street Setback (Min) | Side Setback (Min) | Rear Setback (Min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached House | 10' | 10' | 5' | 20' |
| Attached House | 10' | 10' | 5' | 20' |
| Townhouse (Site) | 10' | 10' | 10' | 20' |
| Apartment | 5' | 5' | 0' or 6' | 0' or 6' |
| General Building | 5' | 5' | 0' or 6' | 0' or 6' |
| Mixed Use Building | 5' | 5' | 0' or 6' | 0' or 6' |
| Civic Building | 10' | 10' | 0' or 6' | 0' or 6' |
| Open Lot | 10' | 10' | 10' | 10' |
Note: For side and rear setbacks listed as "0' or 6'," the 6-foot requirement applies if the building is not placed directly on the property line or does not meet specific building code requirements for fire walls [Sec. 3.2.4].
Frontage-Specific Setbacks and Build-to Ranges
In the City of Raleigh, frontages are applied to Mixed Use districts to mandate a specific urban form. When a frontage is applied to a CX- district property, the frontage requirements override the base dimensional setbacks [Sec. 3.4.1]. Many urban frontages replace the minimum setback with a "build-to" range, requiring a percentage of the building facade to be located within a specific distance from the property line [Sec. 1.5.6].
| Frontage Type | Primary Street Build-to / Setback | Side Street Build-to / Setback | Parking Setback (Min) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkway (-PK) | 50' Min Setback | N/A | 50' |
| Green (-GR) | 20' to 50' Build-to | 20' to 50' Build-to | 20' |
| Urban Limited (-UL) | 0' to 20' Build-to | 0' to 20' Build-to | Behind building |
| Urban General (-UG) | 0' to 20' Build-to | 0' to 20' Build-to | 30' |
| Shopfront (-SH) | 0' to 15' Build-to | 0' to 15' Build-to | 30' |
| Green Plus (-GP) | 30' to 50' Build-to | 20' to 50' Build-to | 30' |
| Parking Limited (-PL) | Base Min to 100' Build-to | 0' to 100' Build-to | N/A |
Note: The Detached (-DE) frontage in the City of Raleigh follows Residential Infill compatibility rules rather than fixed build-to ranges [Sec. 3.4.4].
Neighborhood Transition Setbacks
The City of Raleigh requires additional setbacks and buffers when a CX- district property immediately abuts a Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, or R-10) that is vacant or contains a house [Sec. 3.5.1]. These transitions are divided into zones that restrict both building placement and land use.
- Zone A (Protective Yard): This is the area immediately abutting the residential district boundary. It must be a landscaped buffer with a minimum width based on the intensity of the transition (Narrow 10', Medium 20', or Wide 50'). No buildings or structures are allowed [Sec. 3.5.2.A].
- Zone B (Use Restricted): This zone extends 50 feet from the residential district boundary line. While certain low-intensity uses like surface parking or landscaping are allowed, principal buildings are prohibited [Sec. 3.5.2.B].
- Zone C (Height and Form): This zone applies from 50 feet to 100 feet from the residential district boundary. Building height is limited to 40 feet at the Zone C line and can increase only at a 45-degree angle moving into the site [Sec. 3.5.5].
Sections Cited
- Sec. 1.5.6. Build-to
- Sec. 3.1.1.E. Commercial Mixed Use (CX-)
- Sec. 3.2.1. Detached House
- Sec. 3.2.2. Attached House
- Sec. 3.2.3. Townhouse
- Sec. 3.2.4. Apartment
- Sec. 3.2.5. General Building
- Sec. 3.2.6. Mixed Use Building
- Sec. 3.2.7. Civic Building
- Sec. 3.2.8. Open Lot
- Sec. 3.4.1. Purpose and Intent (Frontage)
- Sec. 3.4.3. Parkway (-PK)
- Sec. 3.4.4. Detached (-DE)
- Sec. 3.4.5. Parking Limited (-PL)
- Sec. 3.4.6. Green (-GR)
- Sec. 3.4.7. Urban Limited (-UL)
- Sec. 3.4.8. Urban General (-UG)
- Sec. 3.4.9. Shopfront (-SH)
- Sec. 3.4.10. Green Plus (-GP)
- Sec. 3.5.1. Applicability (Neighborhood Transitions)
- Sec. 3.5.2. Transition Zones
- Sec. 3.5.5. Zone C: Height and Form