Apex, North Carolina zoning

A plain-language summary of the Apex zoning ordinance, organized by district and topic. Source: the official ordinance on Town-hosted PDF (apexnc.org DocumentCenter), last reviewed July 3, 2026.

Zoning districts

RAResidential
Residential Agricultural District
Very low density rural and residential development with an average lot size of five acres or greater per residential development (Sec. 3.3.1). Protects agricultural and rural lifestyle uses.
RRResidential
Rural Residential District
Lower density rural residential development with an average lot size of one acre or greater per residential development, denser than RA but still rural in character (Sec. 3.3.1).
LDResidential
Low Density Residential District
Low density, single-family residential uses at densities up to three units an acre (Sec. 3.3.1).
MDResidential
Medium Density Residential District
Medium density single-family and duplex residential uses at densities up to six units an acre (Sec. 3.3.1).
HDSFResidential
High Density Single-Family Residential District
High density single-family and duplex residential housing at densities up to eight units an acre (Sec. 3.3.1). GIS attribute data sometimes renders this code with a space ("HD SF"); confirm the district on the current zoning map before relying on a GIS export.
HDMFResidential
High Density Multi-Family Residential District
High density multi-family residential uses (townhouses, apartments, duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes) at densities up to 14 units an acre (Sec. 3.3.1). GIS attribute data sometimes renders this code with a space ("HD MF").
MHResidential
Manufactured Housing Residential District
Manufactured housing along with other multi-family (townhouse, duplex, and multi-family dwellings) and single-family housing at densities of six units an acre (Sec. 3.3.1).
MHPResidential
Mobile Home Park District
Mobile home development in a planned environment at densities of eight units an acre (Sec. 3.3.1).
MORRMixed use
Mixed Office-Residential-Retail District
Traditional neighborhood and small-town character district allowing single-family development on small lots, duplexes, bed and breakfasts, and small-scale professional office and retail uses (Sec. 3.3.1). Rezonings of 10 or more acres to MORR must meet a minimum non-residential land area percentage from the 2045 Land Use Map; rezonings under 10 acres are exempt.
O&ICommercial
Office and Institutional District
Office and institutional uses at moderate intensities, with complementary retail uses to service that development, primarily at major and minor thoroughfares (Sec. 3.3.2).
B1Commercial
Neighborhood Business District
Small-scale, neighborhood-serving commercial and business uses providing a wide range of goods and services, generally located at intersections (Sec. 3.3.2).
B2Commercial
Downtown Business District
High intensity, mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented downtown business district with retail, financial, service, office, governmental, cultural, and entertainment uses, plus residential on upper floors (Sec. 3.3.2). Overlaps the Central Business District and Downtown Festival District; see the Small Town Character Overlay for downtown-specific dimensional standards.
B3Commercial
Transitional Business District
Service-oriented commercial uses that act as a transition along auto-oriented commercial corridors near adjacent residential neighborhoods (Sec. 3.3.2).
PCCommercial
Planned Commercial District
Moderate and high intensity mix of convenience and city-wide/regional retail and related uses within a planned environment, generally at major intersections (Sec. 3.3.2).
TFCommercial
Tech/Flex District
Wide range of employment uses for office, institutional, research and development, and light industrial uses, including flex space where the mix of uses on a site may change over time (Sec. 3.3.2).
LIIndustrial
Light Industrial District
Light manufacturing or processing uses that might cause undesirable effects on residential or commercial lands, sited to limit those effects (Sec. 3.3.3).
HIIndustrial
Heavy Industrial District
High-intensity industrial, manufacturing, processing, or similar uses that may generate noise, traffic, or other impacts not suitable for residential or commercial areas; intended for uses needing larger sites or separation from incompatible uses (Sec. 3.3.3).
CBSpecial purpose
Conservation Buffer District
Lands with unique environmental values that are under public ownership and management (Sec. 3.3.5).
MEC-CZSpecial purpose
Major Employment Center Conditional Zoning District
Conditional planned-development district for a vibrant mix of employment uses (office, research, light industrial, limited neighborhood commercial) and a mixture of residential uses at appropriate major intersections and corridors, reviewed against site-specific performance standards (Sec. 3.3.4; Sec. 2.3.4). Standards for a given property are set in that property's approved rezoning conditions.
TND-CZSpecial purpose
Traditional Neighborhood Conditional Zoning District
Conditional planned-development district for a vibrant mix of residential, retail, and office uses following neo-traditional neighborhood design principles (grid streets, alleys, a town center, mixed housing types) (Sec. 3.3.4; Sec. 2.3.4). Standards for a given property are set in that property's approved rezoning conditions.
PUD-CZSpecial purpose
Planned Unit Development Conditional Zoning District
Conditional planned-development district allowing flexibility for a site-specific, higher-quality development plan that would not be possible under the strict minimum standards of the UDO (Sec. 3.3.4; Sec. 2.3.4). Standards for a given property are set in that property's approved rezoning conditions.
SD-CZSpecial purpose
Sustainable Development Conditional Zoning District
Conditional district for large-scale sustainable community design (minimum 500 contiguous acres, or a smaller parcel within 2,000 feet of one), with all intensity and dimensional standards set by the approved Sustainable Development Plan rather than the citywide tables (Sec. 3.3.5; Sec. 2.3.16).
RA-CZResidential
Residential Agricultural Conditional Zoning District
Conditional zoning counterpart to RA; base RA standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.5; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
RR-CZResidential
Rural Residential Conditional Zoning District
Conditional zoning counterpart to RR; base RR standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.5; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
LD-CZResidential
Low Density Residential Conditional Zoning District
Conditional zoning counterpart to LD; base LD standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.5; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
MD-CZResidential
Medium Density Residential Conditional Zoning District
Conditional zoning counterpart to MD; base MD standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.5; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
HDSF-CZResidential
High Density Single-Family Residential Conditional Zoning District
Conditional zoning counterpart to HDSF; base HDSF standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.5; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
HDMF-CZResidential
High Density Multi-Family Residential Conditional Zoning District
Conditional zoning counterpart to HDMF; base HDMF standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.5; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
MH-CZResidential
Manufactured Housing Residential Conditional Zoning District
Conditional zoning counterpart to MH; base MH standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.5; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
MHP-CZResidential
Mobile Home Park Conditional Zoning District
Conditional zoning counterpart to MHP; base MHP standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.5; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
MORR-CZMixed use
Mixed Office Residential-Retail Conditional Zoning District
Conditional zoning counterpart to MORR; base MORR standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.5; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
O&I-CZCommercial
Office and Institutional Conditional Zoning District
Conditional zoning counterpart to O&I; base O&I standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.6; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
B1-CZCommercial
Neighborhood Business Conditional Zoning District
Conditional zoning counterpart to B1; base B1 standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.6; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
B2-CZCommercial
Downtown Business Conditional Zoning District
Conditional zoning counterpart to B2; base B2 standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.6; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
B3-CZCommercial
Transitional Business Conditional Zoning District
Conditional zoning counterpart to B3; base B3 standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.6; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
PC-CZCommercial
Planned Commercial Conditional Zoning District
Conditional zoning counterpart to PC; base PC standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.6; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
TF-CZCommercial
Tech/Flex Conditional Zoning District
Conditional zoning counterpart to TF; base TF standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.6; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
LI-CZIndustrial
Light Industrial Conditional Zoning District
Conditional zoning counterpart to LI; base LI standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.7; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
HI-CZIndustrial
Heavy Industrial Conditional Zoning District
Conditional zoning counterpart to HI; base HI standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.7; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
CB-CZSpecial purpose
Conservation Buffer Conditional Zoning District
Conditional zoning counterpart to CB; base CB standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.9; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).

Code	Name	Category	Summary
RA	Residential Agricultural District	Residential	Very low density rural and residential development with an average lot size of five acres or greater per residential development (Sec. 3.3.1). Protects agricultural and rural lifestyle uses.
RR	Rural Residential District	Residential	Lower density rural residential development with an average lot size of one acre or greater per residential development, denser than RA but still rural in character (Sec. 3.3.1).
LD	Low Density Residential District	Residential	Low density, single-family residential uses at densities up to three units an acre (Sec. 3.3.1).
MD	Medium Density Residential District	Residential	Medium density single-family and duplex residential uses at densities up to six units an acre (Sec. 3.3.1).
HDSF	High Density Single-Family Residential District	Residential	High density single-family and duplex residential housing at densities up to eight units an acre (Sec. 3.3.1). GIS attribute data sometimes renders this code with a space ("HD SF"); confirm the district on the current zoning map before relying on a GIS export.
HDMF	High Density Multi-Family Residential District	Residential	High density multi-family residential uses (townhouses, apartments, duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes) at densities up to 14 units an acre (Sec. 3.3.1). GIS attribute data sometimes renders this code with a space ("HD MF").
MH	Manufactured Housing Residential District	Residential	Manufactured housing along with other multi-family (townhouse, duplex, and multi-family dwellings) and single-family housing at densities of six units an acre (Sec. 3.3.1).
MHP	Mobile Home Park District	Residential	Mobile home development in a planned environment at densities of eight units an acre (Sec. 3.3.1).
MORR	Mixed Office-Residential-Retail District	Mixed use	Traditional neighborhood and small-town character district allowing single-family development on small lots, duplexes, bed and breakfasts, and small-scale professional office and retail uses (Sec. 3.3.1). Rezonings of 10 or more acres to MORR must meet a minimum non-residential land area percentage from the 2045 Land Use Map; rezonings under 10 acres are exempt.
O&I	Office and Institutional District	Commercial	Office and institutional uses at moderate intensities, with complementary retail uses to service that development, primarily at major and minor thoroughfares (Sec. 3.3.2).
B1	Neighborhood Business District	Commercial	Small-scale, neighborhood-serving commercial and business uses providing a wide range of goods and services, generally located at intersections (Sec. 3.3.2).
B2	Downtown Business District	Commercial	High intensity, mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented downtown business district with retail, financial, service, office, governmental, cultural, and entertainment uses, plus residential on upper floors (Sec. 3.3.2). Overlaps the Central Business District and Downtown Festival District; see the Small Town Character Overlay for downtown-specific dimensional standards.
B3	Transitional Business District	Commercial	Service-oriented commercial uses that act as a transition along auto-oriented commercial corridors near adjacent residential neighborhoods (Sec. 3.3.2).
PC	Planned Commercial District	Commercial	Moderate and high intensity mix of convenience and city-wide/regional retail and related uses within a planned environment, generally at major intersections (Sec. 3.3.2).
TF	Tech/Flex District	Commercial	Wide range of employment uses for office, institutional, research and development, and light industrial uses, including flex space where the mix of uses on a site may change over time (Sec. 3.3.2).
LI	Light Industrial District	Industrial	Light manufacturing or processing uses that might cause undesirable effects on residential or commercial lands, sited to limit those effects (Sec. 3.3.3).
HI	Heavy Industrial District	Industrial	High-intensity industrial, manufacturing, processing, or similar uses that may generate noise, traffic, or other impacts not suitable for residential or commercial areas; intended for uses needing larger sites or separation from incompatible uses (Sec. 3.3.3).
CB	Conservation Buffer District	Special purpose	Lands with unique environmental values that are under public ownership and management (Sec. 3.3.5).
MEC-CZ	Major Employment Center Conditional Zoning District	Special purpose	Conditional planned-development district for a vibrant mix of employment uses (office, research, light industrial, limited neighborhood commercial) and a mixture of residential uses at appropriate major intersections and corridors, reviewed against site-specific performance standards (Sec. 3.3.4; Sec. 2.3.4). Standards for a given property are set in that property's approved rezoning conditions.
TND-CZ	Traditional Neighborhood Conditional Zoning District	Special purpose	Conditional planned-development district for a vibrant mix of residential, retail, and office uses following neo-traditional neighborhood design principles (grid streets, alleys, a town center, mixed housing types) (Sec. 3.3.4; Sec. 2.3.4). Standards for a given property are set in that property's approved rezoning conditions.
PUD-CZ	Planned Unit Development Conditional Zoning District	Special purpose	Conditional planned-development district allowing flexibility for a site-specific, higher-quality development plan that would not be possible under the strict minimum standards of the UDO (Sec. 3.3.4; Sec. 2.3.4). Standards for a given property are set in that property's approved rezoning conditions.
SD-CZ	Sustainable Development Conditional Zoning District	Special purpose	Conditional district for large-scale sustainable community design (minimum 500 contiguous acres, or a smaller parcel within 2,000 feet of one), with all intensity and dimensional standards set by the approved Sustainable Development Plan rather than the citywide tables (Sec. 3.3.5; Sec. 2.3.16).
RA-CZ	Residential Agricultural Conditional Zoning District	Residential	Conditional zoning counterpart to RA; base RA standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.5; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
RR-CZ	Rural Residential Conditional Zoning District	Residential	Conditional zoning counterpart to RR; base RR standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.5; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
LD-CZ	Low Density Residential Conditional Zoning District	Residential	Conditional zoning counterpart to LD; base LD standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.5; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
MD-CZ	Medium Density Residential Conditional Zoning District	Residential	Conditional zoning counterpart to MD; base MD standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.5; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
HDSF-CZ	High Density Single-Family Residential Conditional Zoning District	Residential	Conditional zoning counterpart to HDSF; base HDSF standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.5; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
HDMF-CZ	High Density Multi-Family Residential Conditional Zoning District	Residential	Conditional zoning counterpart to HDMF; base HDMF standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.5; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
MH-CZ	Manufactured Housing Residential Conditional Zoning District	Residential	Conditional zoning counterpart to MH; base MH standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.5; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
MHP-CZ	Mobile Home Park Conditional Zoning District	Residential	Conditional zoning counterpart to MHP; base MHP standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.5; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
MORR-CZ	Mixed Office Residential-Retail Conditional Zoning District	Mixed use	Conditional zoning counterpart to MORR; base MORR standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.5; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
O&I-CZ	Office and Institutional Conditional Zoning District	Commercial	Conditional zoning counterpart to O&I; base O&I standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.6; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
B1-CZ	Neighborhood Business Conditional Zoning District	Commercial	Conditional zoning counterpart to B1; base B1 standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.6; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
B2-CZ	Downtown Business Conditional Zoning District	Commercial	Conditional zoning counterpart to B2; base B2 standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.6; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
B3-CZ	Transitional Business Conditional Zoning District	Commercial	Conditional zoning counterpart to B3; base B3 standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.6; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
PC-CZ	Planned Commercial Conditional Zoning District	Commercial	Conditional zoning counterpart to PC; base PC standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.6; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
TF-CZ	Tech/Flex Conditional Zoning District	Commercial	Conditional zoning counterpart to TF; base TF standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.6; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
LI-CZ	Light Industrial Conditional Zoning District	Industrial	Conditional zoning counterpart to LI; base LI standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.7; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
HI-CZ	Heavy Industrial Conditional Zoning District	Industrial	Conditional zoning counterpart to HI; base HI standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.7; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).
CB-CZ	Conservation Buffer Conditional Zoning District	Special purpose	Conditional zoning counterpart to CB; base CB standards apply except as modified by the property's approved rezoning conditions (Sec. 3.2.9; Sec. 2.3.2-2.3.3).

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