Zoning Regulations for Breweries and Distilleries in Raleigh
In the City of Raleigh, breweries, wineries, and distilleries are permitted by right in the Industrial Mixed Use (IX-) and Heavy Industrial (IH) districts. Within the Commercial Mixed Use (CX-) and Downtown Mixed Use (DX-) districts, these uses are allowed as limited uses, provided they include a public-facing accessory component such as a taproom and stay within specified annual production caps [Sec. 6.1.4, Sec. 6.5.2.B].
Primary Zoning Districts and Permissions
The City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) categorizes breweries, wineries, distilleries, and cideries under Industrial Uses. Their permission levels vary based on the intent of the zoning district, ranging from industrial areas to high-intensity mixed-use centers.
| District Category | Zoning District Name | Permission Level |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed Use | CX- (Commercial Mixed Use) | Limited (L) |
| Mixed Use | DX- (Downtown Mixed Use) | Limited (L) |
| Mixed Use | IX- (Industrial Mixed Use) | Permitted (P) |
| Special | IH (Heavy Industrial) | Permitted (P) |
| Residential | R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, R-10 | Not Permitted (--) |
| Mixed Use | RX- (Residential Mixed Use) | Not Permitted (--) |
| Mixed Use | OP- (Office Park) | Not Permitted (--) |
| Mixed Use | OX- (Office Mixed Use) | Not Permitted (--) |
| Mixed Use | NX- (Neighborhood Mixed Use) | Not Permitted (--) |
[Sec. 6.1.4]
Limited Use Standards for CX and DX Districts
In the City of Raleigh Commercial Mixed Use (CX-) and Downtown Mixed Use (DX-) districts, breweries and distilleries must comply with specific standards to ensure they are compatible with the surrounding commercial and retail environment.
Public Access and Accessory Uses
Any brewery, winery, or distillery in the CX- or DX- districts must include at least one of the following accessory uses that is open and accessible to the public:
- Tasting room
- Taproom
- Restaurant
- Incidental retail use
[Sec. 6.5.2.B.1.a.i]
Annual Production Limits
Facilities located in the CX- and DX- districts are subject to strict annual production maximums to qualify as a limited use:
- Beer or Cider: Less than 15,000 U.S. barrels (approximately 460,000 U.S. gallons) per year.
- Wine or Spirits: Less than 75,000 U.S. gallons per year.
[Sec. 6.5.2.B.1.a.ii]
Outdoor Storage Restrictions
In the City of Raleigh Downtown Mixed Use (DX-) district, there is an absolute prohibition on the outdoor storage of any materials associated with the production of beer, wine, cider, or spirits [Sec. 6.5.2.B.1.b.i].
Relationship to Taprooms and Bars
While a brewery is an industrial production use, the associated taproom or tasting room may also fall under the "Restaurant/Bar" use category. In the City of Raleigh, a "Bar, nightclub, tavern, or lounge" is defined as a facility where alcoholic beverage sales exceed 70% of total annual sales [Sec. 6.4.10.B.1]. These uses are permitted as limited uses in the NX-, CX-, DX-, and IX- districts, subject to further standards regarding outdoor seating and proximity to residential districts [Sec. 6.1.4, Sec. 6.4.10.B.2].
Sections Cited
- Article 6.1. Allowed Uses (Sec. 6.1.4. Allowed Principal Use Table)
- Article 6.4. Commercial Uses (Sec. 6.4.10. Restaurant/Bar)
- Article 6.5. Industrial Uses (Sec. 6.5.1. Heavy Industrial; Sec. 6.5.2. Light Industrial)