Zoning Regulations for Pharmaceutical Retail and Medical Facilities in Raleigh

The Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance does not explicitly list "cannabis dispensaries" or "cannabis delivery services" as defined uses. However, the Raleigh Zoning Administrator is authorized to categorize unlisted uses based on their similarity to defined categories such as "Retail Sales" (which includes pharmaceuticals) or "Medical" clinics [Sec. 6.1.2.A]. These uses are generally permitted by right in the Neighborhood Mixed Use (NX-), Commercial Mixed Use (CX-), Downtown Mixed Use (DX-), and Industrial Mixed Use (IX-) districts, while being subject to strict floor area and location limitations in the Residential Mixed Use (RX-) and Office Mixed Use (OX-) districts.

Permitted Districts for Retail and Medical Uses

Because cannabis-related businesses typically operate as either retail outlets for pharmaceutical products or as medical clinics, they are governed by the following permissions in the City of Raleigh:

Use Category	RX-	OP-	OX-	NX-	CX-	DX-	IX-	AP	IH
Retail Sales (includes pharmaceuticals)	L	--	L	P	P	P	P	--	--
Medical (includes clinics)	L	P	P	P	P	P	P	--	--
Warehouse & Distribution (Delivery Hubs)	--	--	--	--	--	--	P	P	P

Key: P = Permitted Use; L = Limited Use (subject to specific standards); -- = Use Not Permitted.

Use Standards for Retail and Medical Clinics

In certain districts, the City of Raleigh imposes specific standards on the size and placement of retail and medical facilities to ensure they remain compatible with the surrounding environment.

Residential Mixed Use (RX-) Standards

In the Residential Mixed Use district, both Retail Sales and Medical uses are classified as "Limited" and must adhere to the following:

• Location: The use must be located on the first floor of a corner unit within an Apartment building type [Sec. 6.4.3.B.1, Sec. 6.4.11.D.1].
• Intersection Requirement: The building must be situated at the intersection of two public streets [Sec. 6.4.3.B.1, Sec. 6.4.11.D.1].
• Size Limit: The unit cannot exceed 4,000 square feet in gross floor area [Sec. 6.4.3.B.2, Sec. 6.4.11.D.1].
• Operational Hours: Activities and deliveries are restricted to the hours between 6:00 AM and 11:00 PM [Sec. 6.4.11.D.1.c].

Office Mixed Use (OX-) Standards

In the Office Mixed Use district, Retail Sales are permitted with the following restrictions:

• Building Type: The use must be located within a multi-tenant building and is prohibited in standalone buildings [Sec. 6.4.11.D.2.a].
• Size Limit: The floor area for the retail use cannot exceed 4,000 square feet or 15% of the gross floor area of the entire building, whichever is greater [Sec. 6.4.11.D.2.b].

Delivery and Distribution Services

If a business functions primarily as a delivery service with little to no on-site customer activity, the City of Raleigh classifies it under "Warehouse & Distribution" [Sec. 6.5.7.A].

• Defined Activity: This category involves the storage or movement of goods for delivery to the final consumer with minimal on-site sales [Sec. 6.5.7.A].
• Allowed Districts: This use is permitted by right in the Industrial Mixed Use (IX-), Agricultural Productive (AP), and Heavy Industrial (IH) districts [Sec. 6.1.4].
• Prohibitions: Warehouse and distribution activities are not permitted in any Residential, Office, or high-intensity Commercial Mixed Use districts [Sec. 6.1.4].

Zoning Administrator Determinations

For any use not specifically named, the Raleigh Zoning Administrator evaluates the proposed activity based on:

1. The actual or projected characteristics of the use.
2. The relative amount of site or floor area and equipment devoted to the use.
3. The type of customers and the number of employees.
4. The number of vehicle trips generated and parking demands [Sec. 6.1.2.A].

Sections Cited

• Sec. 6.1.2. Use Determination
• Sec. 6.1.4. Allowed Principal Use Table
• Sec. 6.4.3. Medical
• Sec. 6.4.11. Retail Sales
• Sec. 6.5.7. Warehouse & Distribution