Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina zoning

A plain-language summary of the Fuquay-Varina zoning ordinance, organized by district and topic. Source: the official ordinance on Town-hosted flipbook (FlippingBook viewer, not Municode), last reviewed July 3, 2026.

Zoning districts

• RCSpecial purpose

  Resource Conservation

  Lowest-intensity district, intended for agricultural farming operations, forestry management, and farmsteads with environmental protections (LDO Art. D, Sec. 9-1151). Confirm the current zoning map, any Conditional Zoning District (CZD) suffix, and the cited section text before acting.

• RAResidential

  Residential Agricultural

  Large-lot rural residential district intended for existing and proposed large-lot single-family detached dwellings, agricultural operations, and low-density development (LDO Art. D, Sec. 9-1151). Confirm the current zoning map, any Conditional Zoning District (CZD) suffix, and the cited section text before acting.

• RLDResidential

  Residential Low Density

  Conventional suburban single-family residential district, not to exceed 3 dwelling units per gross acre with public utilities (LDO Art. D). Confirm the current zoning map, any Conditional Zoning District (CZD) suffix, and the cited section text before acting.

• RMDResidential

  Residential Medium Density

  Medium-density residential district permitting single-family, duplex, triplex, and quadplex uses; district maximum is 6 dwelling units per gross acre, while standard single-family subdivision lots develop at a minimum of 10,000 square feet or 4.36 dwelling units per gross acre (LDO Art. D, Sec. 9-1151). Confirm the current zoning map, any Conditional Zoning District (CZD) suffix, and the cited section text before acting.

• RHDResidential

  Residential High Density

  Highest-density conventional residential district, permitting single-family, duplex, triplex, quadplex, and multi-family uses not to exceed 16 dwelling units per gross acre with public utilities (LDO Art. D, Sec. 9-1151). Confirm the current zoning map, any Conditional Zoning District (CZD) suffix, and the cited section text before acting.

• TCRResidential

  Town Center Residential

  Form-based residential district for the Town Center area; dimensional and use standards are set in Appendix C Town Center Residential Zoning District rather than the main Article D/G tables. Check Appendix C for the specific property.

• PUDSpecial purpose

  Planned Unit Development

  Master-planned district where dimensional and use standards are set case by case; see Appendix D Planned Unit Development District. Check the adopting PUD conditions for the specific property.

• DC-1Mixed use

  Downtown Center-1

  Downtown form-based mixed-use district; dimensional and use standards are set in Appendix A DC-1 and DC-2 Form-Based Districts rather than the main Article D/G tables. A point test in downtown Fuquay-Varina (N. Main Street) returned this code from the Town's live GIS zoning layer. Check Appendix A for the specific property.

• DC-2Mixed use

  Downtown Center-2

  Downtown form-based mixed-use district, generally a transition zone around the DC-1 core; dimensional and use standards are set in Appendix A DC-1 and DC-2 Form-Based Districts. Check Appendix A for the specific property.

• RMUMixed use

  Residential Mixed-Use

  Form-based mixed-use district allowing higher-density residential and mixed use; dimensional and use standards are set in Appendix B RMU, CMU and EMU Form-Based Districts. The Town's live GIS zoning layer also carries a legacy "RMU*" label for parcels zoned under an earlier version of this district; confirm which applies with the Planning Department. Check Appendix B for the specific property.

• CMUMixed use

  Commercial Mixed-Use

  Form-based mixed-use district emphasizing commercial ground-floor uses with residential above; dimensional and use standards are set in Appendix B RMU, CMU and EMU Form-Based Districts. Check Appendix B for the specific property.

• EMUMixed use

  Employment Mixed-Use

  Form-based mixed-use district emphasizing employment-generating uses; dimensional and use standards are set in Appendix B RMU, CMU and EMU Form-Based Districts. Check Appendix B for the specific property.

• O&ICommercial

  Office & Institutional

  Professional office and institutional district (schools, hospitals, nursing homes), typically at intersections along major thoroughfares (LDO Art. D). Note: the Town's live GIS zoning layer stores this code with an ampersand ("O&I"), a normalization risk for automated lookups. Confirm the current zoning map and the cited section text before acting.

• NCCommercial

  Neighborhood Commercial

  Small-scale, minimal-intensity commercial and office district serving nearby neighborhoods; individual uses are limited to 15,000 square feet on properties of 6 acres or less (LDO Art. D). Confirm the current zoning map and the cited section text before acting.

• CCCommercial

  Corridor Commercial

  Medium-scale intensity nonresidential district offering convenience services and retail, situated near urban centers with arterial access (LDO Art. D). Residential use in this district is capped as a percentage of the nonresidential property; see Multi-Family under Article F. Confirm the current zoning map and the cited section text before acting.

• GCCommercial

  General Commercial

  High-intensity nonresidential district with a broad mix of convenience and retail services (LDO Art. D). Residential use in this district is capped as a percentage of the nonresidential property; see Multi-Family under Article F. Confirm the current zoning map and the cited section text before acting.

• RLIIndustrial

  Research Light Industrial

  Research, development, and business-facility district (advanced manufacturing, pharmaceutical, medical/bioscience, information technology), plus light industrial, warehousing, distribution, fabrication, and flex space; public water is required (LDO Art. D). Confirm the current zoning map and the cited section text before acting.

• HIIndustrial

  Heavy Industrial

  Heaviest-intensity industrial district: warehousing, manufacturing, production, fabrication, assembly, distribution, or collection uses that may create noise, odor, dust, or glare; public water is required (LDO Art. D). Confirm the current zoning map and the cited section text before acting.

Rules by topic

• Permitted usesWhat you can do by right in each zoning district.
• Special land usesUses that need special approval before they are allowed.
• SetbacksHow far buildings must sit from property lines.
• Building heightHeight limits by district, and the exceptions.
• Lot coverageHow much of a lot buildings may cover.
• Lot size and widthMinimum lot area and width requirements.
• ParkingRequired spaces, driveway rules, and surfaces.
• Accessory dwelling unitsWhether a second dwelling unit is allowed.
• Garages, sheds, and accessory structuresSize caps, setbacks, and height limits for detached structures.
• FencesHeight limits, placement, and prohibited materials.
• SignsWhat signs are allowed and where.
• Home occupationsRunning a business from a residence.
• Variances and appealsWho decides, what standard applies, and the sequence.

Common questions

• Can I build a fence?
• Can I build a shed or detached garage?
• Can I build an accessory dwelling unit?
• Can I put up a sign for my business?
• Can I run a business from home?
• Do I need a Special Use Permit for my use?
• How do I request a variance?
• How much parking is required?
• Is Fuquay-Varina about to adopt a new zoning ordinance that would change these rules?
• Is this property in the town's extraterritorial jurisdiction, and does that change the zoning rules?