City-County Planning Department

General Districts

4A.2 Residential 20 District (R-20)
4A.2.1 Purpose

The Residential 20 (R-20) District is established to provide sites for low density residential purposes and to allow for other uses which are compatible with low density residential development.

4A.2.2 Permitted Uses

  1. Accessory buildings
  2. Agricultural uses
  3. Amateur Wireless Facility
  4. Cemeteries, mausoleums, columbariums, and memorial gardens
  5. Detached single family dwellings
  6. Family care homes
  7. Golf courses and related activities; driving ranges when associated with the golf course
  8. Home occupations
  9. Public parks and playgrounds
  10. Satellite Dish Antennae
  11. Wireless Communication Facilities, concealed, concealed attached, co-located or combining on an existing, non-concealed attached, mitigating an existing
4A.2.3 Minor Special Uses Subject to Approval by the Board of Adjustment
  1. Accessory dwellings
  2. Bed and breakfast inns
  3. Clubs, lodges, and recreation facilities, for use by non-profit organizations
  4. Convalescent centers
  5. Day care facilities
  6. Group homes
  7. Places of worship
  8. Private schools
  9. Public utility facilities without outdoor storage (County only)
  10. Summer camps
  11. Wireless Communication Facilities, non-concealed
4A.2.4 Major Special Uses Subject to Approval by the Governing Body

1. Colleges and universities
2. Government facilities, not to include correctional facilities and jails
3. Public schools
4. Public utility facilities without outdoor storage (City only)
4A.2.5 Dimensional Requirements

1. Minimum lot area:
With well or septic system:		 20,000 square feet
30,000 square feet
2. Minimum lot width: 100 feet
4A.2.6 Yard Requirements

1. Front yard: 35 feet from the ultimate right of way
2. Side yards:
Minimum total side yards: 30 feet
Minimum total side yard on a corner lot: 30 feet
Minimum each side: 12 feet
Minimum street side yard: 1/2 front yard requirement
3. Rear yard: 25 feet
4. New farm buildings shall be located at least 50 feet from any property line. Stables shall be at least 100 feet from any off-site residences. Pens, chicken coops, corrals or similar enclosures where livestock are kept, shall be located at least 100 feet away from any pre-existing off-site dwelling and at least 50 feet from any property line. Drainage shall be provided for the pen or enclosure so as not to create areas for breeding flies or mosquitos. Grazing land shall be exempt from this regulation.
4A.2.7 Height Limitations

No building shall exceed 35 feet in height; however, the height may be increased up to an additional 10 feet if an additional 1 foot above the minimum is added to each required yard dimension for every additional 1 foot in height over 35 feet.

4A.2.8 Additional Requirements

1. Uses other than agricultural or residential shall require a site plan.
2. Supplementary requirements of Section 7 may apply depending on the type of development.
3. Parking shall be provided in accordance with requirements found in Section 9 of this ordinance.
4. Landscaping and buffers, if required, shall meet the standards of Section 10 of this ordinance.
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To reach Durham City/County Planning call 919-560-4137 or fax us at 919-560-4641