Wilmington, North Carolina Zoning Map
Zoning, overlays and hazards on every parcel - and an answer to what the code actually lets you build. Compiled from current zoning data for all 25 districts.
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Zoning
- District code & full name
- Parcel boundary & APN
- All 25 districts mapped
Building controls
- Front setback
- Side setback
- Rear setback
- Building height
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Wilmington, North Carolina Zoning Districts: What Do They Mean?
Zoning districts are areas regulated by specific laws that determine land use, building types, and development rules. Each district below shows its zone type. Wilmington's ordinance does not state permitted uses as citywide flags, so they are read from each district's own table rather than summarised here.
| Zone Code | Category | Area | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
R-15 Moderate Density Single Dwelling | - | 10,382.7 ac | Standards & uses → |
R-20 Residential | - | 4,003.9 ac | Standards & uses → |
O-I Office And Institutional | - | 2,624.4 ac | Standards & uses → |
MD-17 High Density Multiple Dwelling Residential District | - | 2,501.9 ac | Standards & uses → |
Showing 4 of 25 districts
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Each one runs against the live Wilmington dataset and returns the districts, standards and approvals involved.
What does R-15 actually permit?
The full standards for one district, read straight from the source.
Run it →How is Wilmington zoned?
Wilmington regulates land through 25 zoning districts, and the residential codes state lot size at 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 20, with the 15 district the largest in the city at roughly 10,383 acres.
The descriptions add a second dimension the numbers do not carry: the 3 and 5 districts are described as mixed residential rather than single dwelling, so the city expects more than one housing form at the higher densities.
The multiple dwelling districts state density directly at 10 and 17, with a further high density multifamily district at roughly 66 acres. MD-17 covers about 2,502 acres, giving the city substantial attached housing capacity.
Two historic districts appear: Historic District Residential at roughly 164 acres and a general Historic District at about 49. Splitting historic zoning between residential and general fabric is a useful distinction in a city with a large preserved core.
A Mixed Use Legacy district covers roughly 1,141 acres, the eleventh largest classification. Naming it legacy signals a designation retained from an earlier framework, distinct from the Urban Mixed Use district at about 409 acres.
Office And Institutional is the third largest classification at roughly 2,624 acres, and a Cemetery district covers about 206. This is pre-development intelligence, not legal advice - verify with the local planning department before acquisition.
Wilmington zoning: frequently asked questions
How is residential density coded in Wilmington?
By lot size at 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 20, with the 15 district the largest in the city at roughly 10,383 acres. The 3 and 5 districts are described as mixed residential rather than single dwelling.
What is the Mixed Use Legacy district?
A district covering roughly 1,141 acres whose name signals a designation retained from an earlier framework, distinct from the Urban Mixed Use district at about 409 acres.
How are historic areas zoned?
Through two districts: Historic District Residential at roughly 164 acres and a general Historic District at about 49. Splitting historic zoning between residential and general fabric is useful in a city with a large preserved core.
How much multifamily capacity is there?
MD-17 covers roughly 2,502 acres and MD-10 about 627, with a further high density multifamily district at roughly 66 acres. That is substantial attached housing capacity.
How much institutional land is there?
Office And Institutional covers roughly 2,624 acres, the third largest classification in the city, with a Cemetery district adding about 206 acres.
North Carolina zoning maps
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Zoning data is pre-development intelligence, not legal advice. Verify with the Wilmington planning department before acquisition or design.