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Plan Your Location
Zoning
The City’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) designates zoning of properties in Raleigh, including which uses are allowable in each zoning district. Check the Allowed Principal Use Table in Section 6.1.4 of the UDO to find the zoning districts where restaurants are allowed. Then use the City of Raleigh’s iMaps tool to confirm that your location’s zoning allows restaurant uses, or to find a location with appropriate zoning for your restaurant.
Design professionals
You will need to hire one or more licensed design professionals, such as an architect or General Contractor, to help design your space and navigate the process to obtain the appropriate permits for your business.
Special districts
Your location may have additional requirements if it lies within a special district, such as a historic overlay district or a flood plain. You can check your location’s status by enabling the Zoning Overlay Districts and Flood Hazard Areas layers in iMaps.
Site Plan Review
If your location involves new construction or substantial site work, you are likely to need to submit plans for approval via the City's Site Permit Review (SPR) process. The SPR process and requirements are outlined in Section 10.2.8 of the UDO.
Develop (Plan) Your Space
Building permits
You will need to work with your design professional(s) to obtain a building permit for your restaurant. View estimated turnaround times for this process.
Sign permits
You will also need to obtain a sign permit for any signage planned for your business that will be visible from the public right-of-way. You can find out the types of signs allowable in your location’s zoning district by checking the table of Signs Allowed by District in Section 7.3.2 of the UDO.
Outdoor seating
If your restaurant will have outdoor seating (especially in a right-of-way like a sidewalk or streetery), you may need to obtain an Outdoor Seating Permit.
Curbside Pickup Zones
If your business needs space to accommodate cars for pickup orders, you can contact the City to request a Curbside Pickup Zone.
Follow Regulation & Requirements
Food Service Regulations
Wake County’s Environmental Health & Safety Division permits and inspects facilities that provide food service. Applications for Health & Safety Plan Review can be submitted online at the same time as submitting plans to the City of Raleigh for building permits. Visit Wake County’s Plan Review & Permits page for more submittal guidelines.
Review the North Carolina Food Code Manual and ensure that you have one employee who is a certified food protection manager. Review and understand the rules governing food protection and sanitation (.2600 Rules).
Once permitted, the establishment will be inspected on a regular basis, one to four times a year. These inspections are not announced so ensure that food service workers are following required laws and have good hygiene.
Alcohol Regulations
If your business will engage in the selling of alcohol, you will need to complete the ABC Retail Application Process. The ABC Commissions provides retail application checklists based on your business structure.
- Select the relevant retail application for your business type. Follow the checklist and complete all relevant forms.
- Learn more about applying for ABC Permits.
City of Raleigh Beer/Wine License
Any business that sells Beer or Wine within the Raleigh City limits must also obtain a Beer/Wine License (Schedule V in Business License application) before selling any alcoholic beverages.
- Businesses must FIRST obtain Temporary Permits from the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.
- Beer/Wine Licenses must be renewed prior to April 30 each year.
- Be sure to contact the Development Services Customer Service Center at 919-996-2495 to assure that the sale of alcoholic beverages is allowed at your business location.
Plan Your Operations
Do you think you're ready to open? Visit the plan your operations landing page for planning business operation to learn more about topics such as employer requirements and planning your opening.