dcrodriguez/Code-of-Virginia huggingface dataset:
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2252. Filing and recording of ordinance and amendments thereto.
When a subdivision ordinance has been adopted, or amended, a certified copy of the ordinance and any and all amendments thereto shall be filed in the office of an official of the locality, designated in the ordinance, and in the clerk's office of the circuit court for each locality in which the ordinance is applicable.

Code 1950, §§ 15-783, 15-967.6; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-471; 1975, c. 641; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2253. Preparation and adoption of amendments to ordinance.
A local planning commission on its own initiative may or at the request of the governing body of the locality shall prepare and recommend amendments to the subdivision ordinance. The procedure for amendments shall be the same as for the preparation and recommendation and approval and adoption of the original ordinance; provided that no amendment shall be adopted by the governing body of a locality without a reference of the proposed amendment to the commission for recommendation, nor until sixty days after such reference, if no recommendation is made by the commission.

Code 1950, § 15-967.7; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-472; 1975, c. 641; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2254. Statutory provisions effective after ordinance adopted.
After the adoption of a subdivision ordinance in accordance with this chapter, the following provisions shall be effective in the territory to which the ordinance applies:

1. No person shall subdivide land without making and recording a plat of the subdivision and without fully complying with the provisions of this article and of the subdivision ordinance.

2. No plat of any subdivision shall be recorded unless and until it has been submitted to and approved by the designated agent, of the locality wherein the land to be subdivided is located; or by the designated agents, as the case may be, of each locality having a subdivision ordinance, in which any part of the land lies.

3. No person shall sell or transfer any land of a subdivision, before a plat has been duly approved and recorded as provided herein, unless the subdivision was lawfully created prior to the adoption of a subdivision ordinance applicable thereto. However, nothing herein contained shall be construed as preventing the recordation of the instrument by which such land is transferred or the passage of title as between the parties to the instrument.

4. Any person violating the foregoing provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine of not more than $500 for each lot or parcel of land so subdivided, transferred or sold and shall be required to comply with all provisions of this article and the subdivision ordinance. The description of the lot or parcel by metes and bounds in the instrument of transfer or other document used in the process of selling or transferring shall not exempt the transaction from the penalties or remedies herein provided.

5. No clerk of any court shall file or record a plat of a subdivision required by this article to be recorded until the plat has been approved as required herein. The penalties provided by § 17.1-223 shall apply to any failure to comply with the provisions of this subsection.

Code 1950, §§ 15-784, 15-785, 15-794.1, 15-967.8; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-473; 1975, c. 641; 1997, c.; 2003, c. 408; 2025, c. 594.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2255. Administration and enforcement of regulations.
The administration and enforcement of subdivision regulations insofar as they pertain to public improvements as authorized in §§ 15.2-2241 through 15.2-2245 shall be vested in the governing body of the locality in which the improvements are or will be located.

Except as provided above, the governing body shall be responsible for administering and enforcing the provisions of the subdivision regulations through its local planning commission or otherwise.

Code 1950, §§ 15-788.1, 15-967.9; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-474; 1975, c. 641; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2256. Procedure to account for fees for common improvements.
Upon a verified petition signed by the owners, other than the original subdivider, of ten percent of the lots in any subdivision, the board of directors or other governing body of the subdivision charged with collection of fees and the maintenance of common improvements shall render an annual report with a statement of account of all fees collected and the disposition of all funds derived from any fees assessed for the maintenance of common improvements to the lot owners. The board of directors or other governing body of the subdivision may charge the lot owners for the actual cost of copying the annual report.

1987, c. 501, § 15.1-474.1; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2257. Procedure to modify certain covenants in Shenandoah County.
Upon a verified petition signed by the owners, other than the original subdivider, of 10 percent of the lots in any subdivision previously recorded, the circuit court for Shenandoah County, in which such subdivision lies, shall have authority to conduct a hearing and modify any and all covenant provisions of any previously recorded deed of dedication or other document relating to road maintenance fees as to any roads located within the subdivision. Upon receipt of the petition, the court shall, if all owners of lots within such subdivision are not before the court, enter an order of publication under the provisions of subdivision A 3 of § 8.01-316, making the owners of all lots not owned by petitioners parties to the cause, which shall then be docketed and set for trial on the chancery side of the court. Should the court, after hearing evidence and argument of counsel, find that the streets and roads in the subdivision require maintenance in excess of that provided for with the road maintenance funds specified in the covenants to permit emergency vehicles ready access to the residents of the subdivision to ensure the public health, safety, and welfare, the court may increase the fees required for road maintenance to the extent reasonably necessary to permit emergency vehicles ready access to the residents of the subdivision. The funds collected shall be accounted for as provided in § 15.2-2256. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the members of a subdivision association from proceeding under the provisions of § 55.1-1825 or subsection C of § 55.1-2305, as applicable.

1987, c. 501, § 15.1-474.2; 1997, c. 587; 1998, c. 623; 2019, c. 632.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2258. Plat of proposed subdivision and site plans to be submitted for approval.
Whenever the owner or proprietor of any tract of land located within any territory to which a subdivision ordinance applies desires to subdivide the tract, he shall submit a plat of the proposed subdivision to the designated agent thereof for such purpose. When any part of the land proposed for subdivision lies in a drainage district such fact shall be set forth on the plat of the proposed subdivision. When any part of the land proposed for subdivision lies in a mapped dam break inundation zone such fact shall be set forth on the plat of the proposed subdivision. When any grave, object or structure marking a place of burial is located on the land proposed for subdivision, such grave, object or structure shall be identified on any plans or site plans required by this article. When the land involved lies wholly or partly within an area subject to the joint control of more than one locality, the plat shall be submitted to the designated agent of the locality in which the tract of land is located. Site plans or plans of development required by subdivision A 8 of § 15.2-2286 shall also be subject to the provisions of §§ 15.2-2258 through 15.2-2261, mutatis mutandis.

Code 1950, §§ 15-789, 15-967.10; 1952, c. 333; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-475; 1964, c. 498; 1975, c. 641; 1977, c. 10; 1978, c. 283; 1979, c. 111; 1980, c. 73; 1986, c. 483; 1989, cc. 471, 495; 1990, c. 171; 1992, c. 843; 1993, c. 846; 1996, c. 353; 1997, c.; 2008, c. 491; 2025, c. 594.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2261.1. Recorded plat or final site plans; conflicting zoning conditions.
If the provisions of a recorded plat or final site plan, which was specifically determined by the governing body and not its designee, to be in accordance with the zoning conditions previously approved pursuant to §§ 15.2-2296 through 15.2-2303, conflict with any underlying zoning conditions of such previous rezoning approval, the provisions of the recorded plat or final site plan shall control, and the zoning amendment notice requirements of § 15.2-2204 shall be deemed to have been satisfied.

2002, c. 551.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2262. Requisites of plat.
Every subdivision plat which is intended for recording shall be prepared by a certified professional engineer or land surveyor, who shall endorse upon each plat a certificate signed by him setting forth the source of title of the owner of the land subdivided and the place of record of the last instrument in the chain of title. When the plat is of land acquired from more than one source of title, the outlines of the several tracts shall be indicated upon the plat. However, nothing herein shall be deemed to prohibit the preparation of preliminary studies, plans or plats of a proposed subdivision by the owner of the land, city planners, land planners, architects, landscape architects or others having training or experience in subdivision planning or design.

Code 1950, §§ 15-790, 15-967.11; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-476; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2264. Statement of consent to subdivision; execution; acknowledgment and recordation; notice to commissioner of the revenue or board of real estate assessors.
Every plat, or deed of dedication to which the plat is attached, shall contain in addition to the professional engineer's or land surveyor's certificate a statement as follows: "The platting or dedication of the following described land (here insert a correct description of the land subdivided) is with the free consent and in accordance with the desire of the undersigned owners, proprietors, and trustees, if any." The statement shall be signed and duly acknowledged before an officer authorized to take acknowledgment of deeds. When thus executed and acknowledged, the plat, subject to the provisions herein, shall be filed and recorded in the office of the clerk of the circuit court for the lands contained in the plat, and indexed in the general index to deeds under the names of the owners of lands signing the statement, and under the name of the subdivision. Owners shall notify the appropriate commissioner of the revenue of improvements to real property situated in platted subdivisions.

Code 1950, §§ 15-791, 15-967.12; 1954, c. 421; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-477; 1992, c. 581; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2265. Recordation of approved plat as transfer of streets, termination of easements and rights-of-way, etc.
The recordation of an approved plat shall operate to transfer, in fee simple, to the respective localities in which the land lies the portion of the premises platted as is on the plat set apart for streets, alleys or other public use and to transfer to the locality any easement indicated on the plat to create a public right of passage over the land. The recordation of such plat shall operate to transfer to the locality, or to such association or public authority as the locality may provide, such easements shown on the plat for the conveyance of stormwater, domestic water and sewage, including the installation and maintenance of any facilities utilized for such purposes, as the locality may require. Nothing contained in this article shall affect any right of a subdivider of land heretofore validly reserved. The clerk shall index in the name of all the owners of property affected by the recordation in the grantor's index any plat recorded under this section. Nothing in this section shall obligate the locality, association or authority to install or maintain such facilities unless otherwise agreed to by the locality, association or authority.

When the authorized officials of a locality within which land is located, approve in accordance with the subdivision ordinances of the locality a plat or replat of land therein, then upon the recording of the plat or replat in the circuit court clerk's office, all rights-of-way, easements or other interest of the locality in the land included on the plat or replat, except as shown thereon, shall be terminated and extinguished, except that an interest acquired by the locality by condemnation, by purchase for valuable consideration and evidenced by a separate instrument of record, or streets, alleys or easements for public passage subject to the provisions of § 15.2-2271 or 15.2-2272 shall not be affected thereby. All public easements, except those for public passage, easements containing improvements, those that contain private utility facilities, common or shared easements for the use of franchised cable operators and public service corporations, may be relocated by recordation of plat or replat signed by the owner of the real property, approved by an authorized official of a locality, regardless of the manner of acquisition or the type of instrument used to dedicate the original easement. In the event the purpose of the easement is to convey stormwater drainage from a public roadway, the entity responsible for the operation of the roadway shall first determine that the relocation does not threaten either the integrity of the roadway or public passage. The clerk shall index the locality as grantor of any easement or portion thereof terminated and extinguished under this section.

Code 1950, §§ 15-792, 15-967.13; 1958, c. 460; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-478; 1964, c. 564; 1974, c. 530; 1978, c. 590; 1995, cc. 431, 662; 1997, c. 587; 2000, c. 165; 2005, c. 937.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2266. Validation of certain plats recorded before January 1, 1975.
Any subdivision plat recorded prior to January 1, 1975, if otherwise valid, is hereby validated and declared effective even though the technical requirements for recordation existing at the time such plat was recorded were not complied with.

1968, c. 279, § 15.1-478.1; 1997, c. 587; 2007, c. 279.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2267. Petition to restrict access to certain public streets.
Notwithstanding the provisions of § 15.2-2265, when the streets in a subdivision have not been accepted into the highway system and serve only, or are primarily for, the general welfare of the inhabitants of the subdivision and do not serve as a connector to other public rights-of-way, then upon petition to the governing body of the locality, signed by the owners of two-thirds of the subdivision lots, including the subdivider if he has an interest in the subdivision, requesting that they be allowed to restrict ingress and egress to the subdivision, the governing body may permit the restriction subject to the following conditions:

1. The restriction may be abolished at any time in the sole discretion of the governing body,

2. The restriction shall not be asserted in opposition to the public ownership,

3. The streets shall not be blocked to ingress and egress of government or public service company vehicles,

4. Necessary maintenance of the streets will be paid for by the owners, and

5. Such other conditions as may be imposed by the governing body.

1980, c. 358, § 15.1-478.2; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2268. Localities not obligated to pay for grading, paving, etc.
Nothing herein shall be construed as creating an obligation upon any locality to pay for grading or paving, or for sidewalk, sewer, curb and gutter improvements or construction.

Code 1950, § 15-967.14; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-479; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2269. Plans and specifications for utility fixtures and systems to be submitted for approval.
A. If the owners of any such subdivision desire to construct in, on, under, or adjacent to any streets or alleys located in such subdivision any gas, water, sewer or electric light or power works, pipes, wires, fixtures or systems, they shall present plans or specifications therefor to the designated agent, for approval. If the subdivision is located beyond the corporate limits of a municipality but within the limits set forth in § 15.2-2248, such plans and specifications shall be presented for approval to the designated agent, if the county has not adopted a subdivision ordinance. The designated agent, shall have 45 days in which to approve or disapprove the same. In event of the failure of any designated agent, to act within such period, such plans and specifications may be submitted, after ten days' notice to the locality, to the circuit court for such locality for its approval or disapproval, and its approval thereof shall, for all purposes of this article be treated and considered as approval by the designated agent.

B. Any state agency or public authority authorized by state law making a review of any plat forwarded to it under this article, including, without limitation, the Virginia Department of Transportation and authorities authorized by Chapter 51 (§ 15.2-5100 et seq.), shall complete its review within 45 days of receipt of the plans, provided, however, that the time periods set forth in § 15.2-2222.1 shall apply to plats triggering the applicability of said section. The Virginia Department of Transportation and authorities authorized by Chapter 51 (§ 15.2-5100 et seq.) shall allow use of public rights-of-way dedicated for public street purposes for placement of utilities by permit when practical and shall not unreasonably deny plan approval. If a state agency or public authority by state law does not approve the plan, it shall comply with the requirements, and be subject to the restrictions, set forth in subsection A of § 15.2-2259, with respect to the exception of the time period therein specified. Upon receipt of the approvals from all state agencies, the designated agent shall act upon a preliminary subdivision plat within 35 days.

Code 1950, § 15-967.15; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-480; 1997, c.; 2007, c. 202; 2008, c. 718; 2025, c. 594.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2270. Vacation of interests granted to a locality as a condition of site plan approval.
Any interest in streets, alleys, easements for public rights of passage, easements for drainage, and easements for a public utility granted to a locality as a condition of the approval of a site plan may be vacated according to either of the following methods:

1. By a duly executed and acknowledged written instrument of the owner of the land which has been or is to be developed in accordance with the site plan, declaring the interest or interests to be vacated, provided the designated agent of the locality where the land lies consents to the vacation. The instrument shall be recorded in the same clerk's office wherein is recorded the written instrument describing the interest in real property to be vacated. The execution and recordation of the instrument shall operate to divest all public rights in, and to reinvest the owner with the title to the interests which formerly were held by the governing body; or

2. By ordinance of the governing body in the locality in which the property which is the subject of an approved site plan lies, provided that no interest shall be vacated in an area in which facilities, for which bonding is required pursuant to §§ 15.2-2241 through 15.2-2245, have been constructed.

The ordinance shall not be adopted until after notice has been given as required by § 15.2-2204. Any person may appear at the meeting for the purpose of objecting to the adoption of the ordinance. An appeal from the adoption of the ordinance may be filed within thirty days of the adoption of the ordinance with the circuit court having jurisdiction of the land over which the governing body's interest is located. Upon appeal, the court may nullify the ordinance if it finds that the owner of the property, which has been developed or is to be developed in accordance with the approved site plan, will be irreparably damaged. If no appeal from the adoption of the ordinance is filed within the time above provided or if the ordinance is upheld on appeal, a certified copy of the ordinance of vacation may be recorded in the clerk's office of any court in which the instrument creating the governing body's interest is recorded.

The execution and recordation of an ordinance of vacation shall operate to destroy the effect of the instrument which created the governing body's interest so vacated and to divest all public rights in and to the property and vest title in the streets, alleys, easements for public rights of passage, easements for drainage, and easements for a public utility as may be described in, and in accordance with, the ordinance of vacation.

1990, c. 813, § 15.1-480.1; 1997, c.; 2024, cc. 225, 242; 2025, c. 594.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2271. Vacation of plat before sale of lot therein; ordinance of vacation.
Where no lot has been sold, the recorded plat, or part thereof, may be vacated according to either of the following methods:

1. With the consent of the designated agent of the locality where the land lies, by the owners, proprietors and trustees, if any, who signed the statement required by § 15.2-2264 at any time before the sale of any lot therein, by a written instrument, declaring the plat to be vacated, duly executed, acknowledged or proved and recorded in the same clerk's office wherein the plat to be vacated is recorded and the execution and recordation of such writing shall operate to destroy the force and effect of the recording of the plat so vacated and to divest all public rights in, and to reinvest the owners, proprietors and trustees, if any, with the title to the streets, alleys, easements for public passage and other public areas laid out or described in the plat; or

2. By ordinance of the governing body of the locality in which the property shown on the plat or part thereof to be vacated lies, provided that no facilities for which bonding is required pursuant to §§ 15.2-2241 through 15.2-2245 have been constructed on the property and no facilities have been constructed on any related section of the property located in the subdivision within five years of the date on which the plat was first recorded.

The ordinance shall not be adopted until after notice has been given as required by § 15.2-2204. Any person may appear at the meeting for the purpose of objecting to the adoption of the ordinance. An appeal from the adoption of the ordinance may be filed within thirty days of the adoption of the ordinance with the circuit court having jurisdiction of the land shown on the plat or part thereof to be vacated. Upon appeal the court may nullify the ordinance if it finds that the owner of the property shown on the plat will be irreparably damaged. If no appeal from the adoption of the ordinance is filed within the time above provided or if the ordinance is upheld on appeal, a certified copy of the ordinance of vacation may be recorded in the clerk's office of any court in which the plat is recorded.

The execution and recordation of the ordinance of vacation shall operate to destroy the force and effect of the recording of the plat, or any portion thereof, so vacated, and to divest all public rights in and to the property and reinvest the owners, proprietors and trustees, if any, with the title to the streets, alleys, and easements for public passage and other public areas laid out or described in the plat.

Code 1950, §§ 15-793, 15-967.16; 1950, p. 722; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-481; 1964, c. 564; 1987, c. 404; 1997, c.; 2024, cc. 225, 242; 2025, c. 594.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2273. Fee for processing application under § 15.2-2271 or § 15.2-2272.
Any locality may prescribe and charge a reasonable fee not exceeding $150 for processing an application pursuant to § 15.2-2271 or § 15.2-2272 for the vacating of any plat.

1970, c. 161, § 15.1-482.1; 1975, c. 641; 1978, c. 554; 1984, c. 285; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2274. Effect of vacation under § 15.2-2272.
The recordation of the instrument as provided under subdivision 1 of § 15.2-2272 or of the ordinance as provided under subdivision 2 of § 15.2-2272 shall operate to destroy the force and effect of the recording of the plat or part thereof so vacated, and to vest fee simple title to the centerline of any streets, alleys or easements for public passage so vacated in the owners of abutting lots free and clear of any rights of the public or other owners of lots shown on the plat, but subject to the rights of the owners of any public utility installations which have been previously erected therein. If any street, alley or easement for public passage is located on the periphery of the plat, the title for the entire width thereof shall vest in the abutting lot owners. The fee simple title to any portion of the plat so vacated as was set apart for other public use shall be revested in the owners, proprietors and trustees, if any, who signed the statement required by § 15.2-2264 free and clear of any rights of public use in the same.

Code 1950, §§ 15-793, 15-967.18; 1950, p. 722; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-483; 1964, c. 564; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2275. Relocation or vacation of boundary lines.
Any locality may provide, as a part of its subdivision ordinance, that the boundary lines of any lot or parcel of land may be vacated, relocated or otherwise altered as a part of an otherwise valid and properly recorded plat of subdivision or resubdivision (i) approved as provided in the subdivision ordinance or (ii) properly recorded prior to the applicability of a subdivision ordinance, and executed by the owner or owners of the land as provided in § 15.2-2264. The action shall not involve the relocation or alteration of streets, alleys, easements for public passage, or other public areas. No easements or utility rights-of-way shall be relocated or altered without the express consent of all persons holding any interest therein.

Alternatively, a locality may allow the vacating of lot lines by recordation of a deed providing that no easements or utility rights-of-way located along any lot lines to be vacated shall be extinguished or altered without the express consent of all persons holding any interest therein. The deed shall be approved in writing, on its face, by the local governing body or its designee. The deed shall reference the recorded plat by which the lot line was originally created.

1982, c. 294, § 15.1-483.1; 1993, c. 121; 1997, cc. 524, 545, 587; 2005, c. 338.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2276. Duty of clerk when plat vacated.
The clerk in whose office any plat so vacated has been recorded shall write in plain legible letters across such plat, or the part thereof so vacated, the word "vacated," and also make a reference on the plat to the volume and page in which the instrument of vacation is recorded.

Code 1950, §§ 15-794, 15-967.20; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-485; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2277. Franklin County may require that notice be given to deed grantees of certain disclaimers regarding responsibility for roads; county eligible to have certain streets taken into secondary system.
Franklin County may by ordinance require that the clerk of the circuit court for the county, when a division of land creates any parcels equal to or greater than five acres, notify every grantee shown on the recorded deed for such parcel (i) that any roads constructed to serve parcels of five acres or more will not be accepted by the Virginia Department of Transportation or by the county unless the roads meet applicable subdivision street standards of the Department and (ii) that neither the Department nor the county will maintain such roads until such time as the roads are brought into compliance with applicable subdivision street standards of the Department in effect at the time and without cost to funds administered by the Department or the county. The notice shall be by first-class mail to the address shown on the recorded deed.

The county shall be deemed to have met the definition of "county" pursuant to § 33.2-335 upon adoption of such ordinance and shall be eligible to have certain streets taken into the secondary system pursuant to § 33.2-335 without additional action being necessitated with regard to subdivision ordinances.

1990, c. 906, § 15.1-465.1; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2278. Vacating plat of subdivision.
Any plat of subdivision recorded in any clerk's office, whether or not pursuant to this article, may be vacated in the manner prescribed by § 15.2-2272 and the provisions of §§ 15.2-2274 and 15.2-2276 shall be applicable to such vacation.

1964, c. 564, § 15.1-365; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2279. Ordinances regulating the building of houses and establishing setback lines.
Any locality may by ordinance regulate the building of houses in the locality including the adoption of off-street parking requirements, minimum setbacks and side yards and the establishment of minimum lot sizes.

Any locality may by ordinance require that no building be constructed within thirty-five feet of any street or roadway and may provide for exceptions to such requirement whenever a large portion of existing buildings along a section of street or roadway is within thirty-five feet of such street or roadway. The provisions of such an ordinance shall not apply within the limits of any town which has enacted a zoning ordinance or has adopted an ordinance establishing minimum setbacks.

1970, c. 452, § 15.1-29.2; 1987, c. 399; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2280. Zoning ordinances generally.
Any locality may, by ordinance, classify the territory under its jurisdiction or any substantial portion thereof into districts of such number, shape and size as it may deem best suited to carry out the purposes of this article, and in each district it may regulate, restrict, permit, prohibit, and determine the following:

1. The use of land, buildings, structures and other premises for agricultural, business, industrial, residential, flood plain and other specific uses;

2. The size, height, area, bulk, location, erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, maintenance, razing, or removal of structures;

3. The areas and dimensions of land, water, and air space to be occupied by buildings, structures and uses, and of courts, yards, and other open spaces to be left unoccupied by uses and structures, including variations in the sizes of lots based on whether a public or community water supply or sewer system is available and used; or

4. The excavation or mining of soil or other natural resources.

Code 1950, §§ 15-819, 15-844, 15-968; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-486; 1966, c. 344; 1969, Ex. Sess., c. 1; 1972, c. 789; 1975, c. 641; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2281. Jurisdiction of localities.
For the purpose of zoning, the governing body of a county shall have jurisdiction over all the unincorporated territory in the county, and the governing body of a municipality shall have jurisdiction over the incorporated area of the municipality.

Code 1950, §§ 15-819, 15-844, 15-968; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-486; 1966, c. 344; 1969, Ex. Sess., c. 1; 1972, c. 789; 1975, c. 641; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2282. Regulations to be uniform.
All zoning regulations shall be uniform for each class or kind of buildings and uses throughout each district, but the regulations in one district may differ from those in other districts.

Code 1950, §§ 15-820, 15-845, 15-968.2; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-488; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2283. Purpose of zoning ordinances.
Zoning ordinances shall be for the general purpose of promoting the health, safety or general welfare of the public and of further accomplishing the objectives of § 15.2-2200. To these ends, such ordinances shall be designed to give reasonable consideration to each of the following purposes, where applicable: (i) to provide for adequate light, air, convenience of access, and safety from fire, flood, impounding structure failure, crime and other dangers; (ii) to reduce or prevent congestion in the public streets; (iii) to facilitate the creation of a convenient, attractive and harmonious community; (iv) to facilitate the provision of adequate police and fire protection, disaster evacuation, civil defense, transportation, water, sewerage, flood protection, schools, parks, forests, playgrounds, recreational facilities, airports and other public requirements; (v) to protect against destruction of or encroachment upon historic areas and working waterfront development areas; (vi) to protect against one or more of the following: overcrowding of land, undue density of population in relation to the community facilities existing or available, obstruction of light and air, danger and congestion in travel and transportation, or loss of life, health, or property from fire, flood, impounding structure failure, panic or other dangers; (vii) to encourage economic development activities that provide desirable employment and enlarge the tax base; (viii) to provide for the preservation of agricultural and forestal lands and other lands of significance for the protection of the natural environment; (ix) to protect approach slopes and other safety areas of licensed airports, including United States government and military air facilities; (x) to promote the creation and preservation of affordable housing suitable for meeting the current and future needs of the locality as well as a reasonable proportion of the current and future needs of the planning district within which the locality is situated; (xi) to provide reasonable protection against encroachment upon military bases, military installations, and military airports and their adjacent safety areas, excluding armories operated by the Virginia National Guard; and (xii) to provide reasonable modifications in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. § 12131 et seq.) or state and federal fair housing laws, as applicable. Such ordinance may also include reasonable provisions, not inconsistent with applicable state water quality standards, to protect surface water and ground water as defined in § 62.1-255.

Code 1950, §§ 15-821, 15-968.3; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-489; 1966, c. 344; 1968, c. 407; 1975, c. 641; 1976, c. 642; 1980, c. 321; 1983, c. 439; 1988, c. 439; 1989, cc. 447, 449; 1990, cc. 19, 169, 384; 1992, c. 812; 1993, cc. 758, 884; 1997, c. 587; 2004, c. 799; 2008, c. 491; 2017, c. 216; 2018, c. 757.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2283.1. Prohibition of sexual offender treatment office in residentially zoned subdivision.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no individual shall knowingly provide sex offender treatment services to a person required to register with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 9.1-900 et seq.) of Title 9.1 in an office or similar facility located in a residentially zoned subdivision.

2007, c. 878; 2020, c. 829.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2284. Matters to be considered in drawing and applying zoning ordinances and districts.
Zoning ordinances and districts shall be drawn and applied with reasonable consideration for the existing use and character of property, the comprehensive plan, the suitability of property for various uses, the trends of growth or change, the current and future requirements of the community as to land for various purposes as determined by population and economic studies and other studies, the transportation requirements of the community, the requirements for airports, housing, schools, parks, playgrounds, recreation areas and other public services, the conservation of natural resources, the preservation of flood plains, the protection of life and property from impounding structure failures, the preservation of agricultural and forestal land, the conservation of properties and their values and the encouragement of the most appropriate use of land throughout the locality.

Code 1950, §§ 15-821, 15-968.4; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-490; 1966, c. 344; 1974, c. 526; 1978, c. 279; 1981, c. 418; 1983, c. 530; 1989, cc. 447, 449; 1997, c. 587; 2008, c. 491.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2287. Localities may require oath regarding property interest of local officials.
A zoning ordinance may provide that petitions brought by property owners, contract purchasers or the agents thereof, shall be sworn to under oath before a notary public or other official before whom oaths may be taken, stating whether or not any member of the local planning commission or governing body has any interest in such property, either individually, by ownership of stock in a corporation owning such land, partnership, as the beneficiary of a trust, or the settlor of a revocable trust or whether a member of the immediate household of any member of the planning commission or governing body has any such interest.

Code 1950, § 15-968.5; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-491; 1964, c. 564; 1966, c. 455; 1968, cc. 543, 595; 1973, c. 286; 1974, c. 547; 1975, cc. 99, 575, 579, 582, 641; 1976, cc. 71, 409, 470, 683; 1977, c. 177; 1978, c. 543; 1979, c. 182; 1982, c. 44; 1983, c. 392; 1984, c. 238; 1987, c. 8; 1988, cc. 481, 856; 1989, cc. 359, 384; 1990, cc. 672, 868; 1992, c. 380; 1993, c. 672; 1994, c. 802; 1995, cc. 351, 475, 584, 603; 1996, c. 451; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2288. Localities may not require a special use permit for certain agricultural activities.
A zoning ordinance shall not require that a special exception or special use permit be obtained for any production agriculture or silviculture activity in an area that is zoned as an agricultural district or classification. For the purposes of this section, production agriculture and silviculture is the bona fide production or harvesting of agricultural products as defined in § 3.2-6400, including silviculture products, but shall not include the processing of agricultural or silviculture products, the above ground application or storage of sewage sludge, or the storage or disposal of nonagricultural excavation material, waste and debris if the excavation material, waste and debris are not generated on the farm, subject to the provisions of the Virginia Waste Management Act. However, localities may adopt setback requirements, minimum area requirements and other requirements that apply to land used for agriculture or silviculture activity within the locality that is zoned as an agricultural district or classification. Nothing herein shall require agencies of the Commonwealth or its contractors to obtain a special exception or a special use permit under this section.

Code 1950, § 15-968.5; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-491; 1964, c. 564; 1966, c. 455; 1968, cc. 543, 595; 1973, c. 286; 1974, c. 547; 1975, cc. 99, 575, 579, 582, 641; 1976, cc. 71, 409, 470, 683; 1977, c. 177; 1978, c. 543; 1979, c. 182; 1982, c. 44; 1983, c. 392; 1984, c. 238; 1987, c. 8; 1988, cc. 481, 856; 1989, cc. 359, 384; 1990, cc. 672, 868; 1992, c. 380; 1993, c. 672; 1994, c. 802; 1995, cc. 351, 475, 584, 603; 1996, c. 451; 1997, c. 587; 2012, c. 455; 2014, c. 435.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2288.01. Localities shall not require a special use permit for certain small-scale conversion of biomass to alternative fuel.
A. As used in this section, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Biomass" means agricultural-related materials including vineyard, grain or crop residues; straws; aquatic plants; and crops and trees planted for energy production.

"Small-scale conversion of biomass" means the conversion of any renewable biomass into heat, power, or biofuels.

B. A zoning ordinance shall not require that a special exception or special use permit be obtained for the small-scale conversion of biomass if: (i) at least 50 percent of the feedstock is produced either on site or by the owner of the conversion equipment; (ii) any structure used for the processing of the feedstock into energy occupies less than 4,000 square feet, not including the space required for storage of feedstock; and (iii) the owner of the farm notifies the administrative head of the locality in which the processing occurs. Localities may adopt reasonable requirements for setback, minimum lot area, and restrictions on the hours of operation and maximum noise levels applicable to the small-scale conversion of biomass. No setback, lot area, hours of operation or noise requirements may be more restrictive than similar provisions for other agricultural structures or activities.

2009, c. 363.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2288.1. Localities may not require a special use permit for certain residential uses.
No local ordinance shall require as a condition of approval of a subdivision plat, site plan, or plan of development, or issuance of a building permit, that a special exception, special use, or conditional use permit be obtained for the development and construction of residential dwellings at the use, height and density permitted by right under the local zoning ordinance. Nothing herein shall restrict the use of the special exception, special use, or conditional use permit process on application of a property owner for (i) a cluster or town center as an optional form of residential development at a density greater than that permitted by right, or otherwise permitted by local ordinance; (ii) use in an area designated for steep slope mountain development; (iii) use as a utility facility to serve a residential development; or (iv) nonresidential uses including but not limited to home businesses, home occupations, day care centers, bed and breakfast inns, lodging houses, private boarding schools, and shelters established for the purpose of providing human services to the occupants thereof.

1999, c. 1041; 2002, c. 703.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2288.2. Localities may not require special use permit for certain temporary structures.
A zoning ordinance shall not require that a special exception or special use permit be obtained in order to erect a tent on private property (i) intended to serve as a temporary structure for a period of three days or less and (ii) that will be used primarily for private or family-related events including, but not limited to, weddings and estate sales.

2006, c. 249.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 22 (PLANNING, SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND ZONING)
§ 15.2-2288.3. Licensed farm wineries; local regulation of certain activities.
A. It is the policy of the Commonwealth to preserve the economic vitality of the Virginia wine industry while maintaining appropriate land use authority to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth and to permit the reasonable expectation of uses in specific zoning categories. Local restriction upon such activities and events of farm wineries licensed in accordance with Title 4.1 to market and sell their products shall be reasonable and shall take into account the economic impact on the farm winery of such restriction, the agricultural nature of such activities and events, and whether such activities and events are usual and customary for farm wineries throughout the Commonwealth. Usual and customary activities and events at farm wineries shall be permitted without local regulation unless there is a substantial impact on the health, safety, or welfare of the public. No local ordinance regulating noise, other than outdoor amplified music, arising from activities and events at farm wineries shall be more restrictive than that in the general noise ordinance. In authorizing outdoor amplified music at a farm winery, the locality shall consider the effect on adjacent property owners and nearby residents.

B, C. [Expired.]

D. No locality may treat private personal gatherings held by the owner of a licensed farm winery who resides at the farm winery or on property adjacent thereto that is owned or controlled by such owner at which gatherings wine is not sold or marketed and for which no consideration is received by the farm winery or its agents differently from private personal gatherings by other citizens.

E. No locality shall regulate any of the following activities of a farm winery licensed in accordance with subdivision 6 of § 4.1-206.1:

1. The production and harvesting of fruit and other agricultural products and the manufacturing of wine;

2. The on-premises sale, tasting, or consumption of wine during regular business hours within the normal course of business of the licensed farm winery;

3. The direct sale and shipment of wine by common carrier to consumers in accordance with Title 4.1 and regulations of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority;

4. The sale and shipment of wine to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, licensed wholesalers, and out-of-state purchasers in accordance with Title 4.1, regulations of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, and federal law;

5. The storage, warehousing, and wholesaling of wine in accordance with Title 4.1, regulations of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, and federal law; or

6. The sale of wine-related items that are incidental to the sale of wine.

2006, c. 794; 2007, cc. 611, 657; 2009, cc. 416, 546; 2015, cc. 38, 730; 2020, cc. 1113, 1114.