Raleigh, NC Virtual Meeting On Tiny Homes

AN ORDINANCE TO FACILITATE THE CREATION OF “TINY HOUSES” WITHIN
THE CITY OF RALEIGH

WHEREAS, small residential structures, or Tiny Houses, have increased in popularity
and are recognized as a cost-effective housing option; and


WHEREAS, due to their size, it is reasonable to provide zoning code and building code
flexibility to incentivize the construction of Tiny Houses; and

WHEREAS, the City Council finds it in the public interest to promote housing choice
through available regulatory tools.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RALEIGH THAT:
Section 1. Section 1.4.1. of the Part 10 Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance, Building Type

Descriptions, is hereby amended by adding the language shown in underline:

I. Tiny House
A building less than 600 square feet in gross floor area constructed to accommodate 1
dwelling unit on a single lot. A series of tiny homes as part of a cottage court may be
located on a single lot.

Section 2. Section 1.4.2. of the Part 10 Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance, Building

Types Allowed by District, is hereby amended by adding a column titled Tiny House:

In the column titled “Tiny House”, in the rows titled “Residential-1 (R-1)”, “Residential-2 (R-
2)”, “Residential- 4 (R-4)”, “Residential-6 (R-6)”, “Residential-10 (R-10)”, “Residential Mixed
Use (RX-)”, “Office Mixed Use (OX-)”, “Neighborhood Mixed Use (NX-)”, “Commercial
Mixed Use (CX-)” and “Downtown Mixed Use (DX-)” insert “■”.

Section 3. Section 1.5.2.B. of the Part 10 Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance, Lot Area,
is hereby amended by adding the language shown in underline:
B. Lot Area

Lot area is the area included within the rear, side and front lot lines. It does not include existing or

proposed right-of-way, whether dedicated or not dedicated to public use. District density applies,

and may require larger lots than those required for an individual building type. For any lot

developed with a Detached House or Tiny House used for Single-unit Living or an Attached
House used for Two-unit Living; however, one accessory dwelling unit is permitted per lot,
regardless of underlying density designation.
Section 4. Section 1.5.2.F.2.J. of the Part 10 Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance,
Density, is hereby amended by adding the language shown in underline:

J. Although minimum lot sizes may allow additional units, density, where applicable,
serves as the maximum number of principal units per acre. For any lot developed with
a Detached House or Tiny House used for Single-unit Living or an Attached House
used for Two-unit Living, one accessory dwelling unit is permitted per lot, regardless
of underlying density, minimum lot size, minimum lot area per dwelling unit or minimum site area per dwelling unit designations.
Section 5. Section 1.5.5.D.1. of Part 10 Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance, Parking in
the Front Setback, is hereby amended by adding the language shown in underline:

For a detached house, tiny house, or attached house located within a Residential District and
used for residential purposes, combined parking and driveway area shall not constitute more

than 40% of the area between the front building facade and the front property line. Any parking
in the front setback must have sufficient depth so that parked cars do not encroach on the adjacent sidewalk.

Read Complete Proposed Text Change: Planning Commission October 2021