To evaluate the recurrence rate and risk factors of recurrence after robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for solitary renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A total of 1265 cases of initial solitary localized RCC were analyzed. The baseline characteristics, complexity (REANL nephrometry score), intra- and peri-operative outcomes, and recurrence were evaluated. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the factors affecting recurrence after RAPN for solitary localized RCC. Recurrence after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) occurred in 29 patients (2.29%). The median follow-up was 36.0 months. The N domain (nearness to collecting system/sinus) (odd ratio (OR) 3.517, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.557–7.945, p = 0.002), operation time (OR 1.005, 95% CI 1.001–1.010, p = 0.013), and perioperative transfusion (OR 5.450, 95% CI 1.197–24.816, p = 0.028) affected recurrence. Distant metastasis among patients with recurrence was significantly associated with nearness to the collecting system/sinus (OR 2.982, 95% CI 1.162–7.656, p = 0.023) and distance between the mass and collecting system/sinus (OR 0.758, 95% CI 0.594–0.967, p = 0.026). Nearness to the collecting system/sinus, operation time, and perioperative transfusion affect recurrence after RAPN for solitary localized RCC. Moreover, the proximity to the collecting system/sinus and distance between the mass and collecting system/sinus were significantly related to distant metastasis after RAPN.