Table of Contents

Food Systems | Food Trucks

The city’s Unified Development Ordinance contains a section of Regulations for Commercial Uses (§6.4.11C) that defines food trucks and provides use standards that include the maximum number of trucks according to lot size, distance from brick-and-mortar establishments, seating, signage, parking, waste disposal, and required permitting.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure

The city’s unified development ordinance outlines standards for stormwater retention ponds and detention basins, offers reimbursements for the use of green stormwater infrastructure, and emphasizes the importance of green infrastructure networks. It presents standards and requirements for both stormwater retention ponds and detention basins (§7.2.6). It offers reimbursements to developers for stormwater infrastructure improvements that go beyond development requirements, including the use of green stormwater infrastructure (§8.6.5.A).

The unified development ordinance also includes limitations on impervious surface coverage for several residential zoning districts (§9.2.2.4) and labels on-site stormwater retention and detention facilities as both “minor utilities” (§6.3.3.A.1) and outdoor amenities (§1.5.3.C.7).

Historic Preservation

The city’s unified development code establishes three Character Protection Overlay Districts: a General Historic Overlay District (§5.4.1), Streetside Historic Overlay District (§5.4.2), and Neighborhood Conservation District (§5.4.3). Each district requires a certificate of appropriateness for work that alters the exterior of structures located in the district and the interior and exterior of designated landmarks to ensure compliance with set development standards. Designation and design reviews are conducted by the Historic Development Commission (§10.1.4).

Housing Supply Planning

The city's unified development code encourages increasing housing supply in Raleigh, North Carolina. The code includes residential infill compatibility standards which establish contextual development standards for small-scale residential infill in established neighborhoods (§2.2.7). The code also authorizes parking reductions for proximity to transit, affordable housing, senior housing, car sharing spaces, and shared parking facilities (§7.1.4 & §7.1.5).

Residential Infill Development

The city’s unified development code includes multiple sections that promote context-sensitive residential infill. Its residential infill compatibility standards establish contextual development standards for small-scale residential infill in established neighborhoods (§2.2.7). And its cottage court standards address site dimensions, height, and setbacks intended to support and promote the development of groups of small, detached residences on infill lots (§2.6.1).

Rethinking Off-Street Parking Requirements

The city’s unified development code includes multiple types of policy-driven off-street parking requirements. It authorizes parking reductions for proximity to transit, affordable housing, senior housing, car sharing spaces, and shared parking facilities (§7.1.4 & §7.1.5). It imposes maximum off-street parking requirements on all uses except single- and two-family homes. And it includes district-specific minimum off-street parking exemptions or reductions for various uses (§7.1.3).

Zoning Reform and Code Writing

The city adopted a new unified development code in 2013. It includes a mix of use-based and form-based zoning standards. It includes public frontage standards for each zoning district. And it defines and regulates uses based on broad categories, with select specific use types, and includes use-specific standards to minimize reliance on discretionary use permits. It is richly illustrated and uses tables to organize use permissions and dimensional standards.

Its purpose statements address implementing adopted plans; improving the built environment and human habitat; conserving and protecting natural beauty and cultural and historic resources; ensuring that new development conserves energy, land, and natural resources; protecting water quality; encouraging environmentally responsible development practices; promoting development patterns that support multi-modal transportation options, walkability, and compact community form; providing a variety of housing types to serve the needs of a diverse population; promoting the greater health benefits of a pedestrian-oriented environment; reinforcing the character and quality of neighborhoods; removing barriers and provide incentives for walkable projects; protecting and promoting commercial and industrial activities; encouraging compact development; ensuring that adequate facilities are constructed to serve new development; providing for orderly growth and development of suitable neighborhoods; requiring adequate public facilities; and providing land records (§1.1.4).