2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 8A. Land Use Planning › Article 7. Zoning Ordinance › §8A-7-13. Process to Replace Nontraditional Zoning Ordinance

(a) A governing body that has adopted or enacted a nontraditional zoning ordinance may replace the nontraditional zoning ordinance with a zoning ordinance. A nontraditional zoning ordinance may be replaced with a zoning ordinance by:
(1) The governing body; or
(2) A petition by the voters in the affected area. If the voters petition to replace the nontraditional zoning ordinance with a zoning ordinance, then the provisions of this section and this chapter shall be followed.
(b) At least 10 percent of the total eligible voters in the affected area may petition the governing body to replace the nontraditional zoning ordinance with a zoning ordinance. The petition must include:
(1) The governing bodys name to which the petition is addressed;
(2) The reason for the petition, including:
(A) Replacing the nontraditional zoning ordinance with a zoning ordinance; and
(B) That the question of replacing the nontraditional zoning ordinance with a new zoning ordinance be put to the voters of the affected area; and
(3) Signatures in ink or permanent marker.
(c) Each person signing the petition must be a registered voter in the affected area and in the governing bodys jurisdiction. The petition must be delivered to the clerk of the affected governing body. There are no time constraints on the petition.
(d) Upon receipt of the petition with the required number of qualifying signatures, the governing body shall place the question on the next primary or general election ballot.
Notice for an election on replacing a zoning ordinance must be published in a local newspaper of general circulation in the area affected by the nontraditional zoning ordinance, as a Class II-0 legal advertisement, in accordance with the provisions of 59-3-1
et seq
. of this code.
(e) The ballots for an election on replacing a zoning ordinance shall have the following:
"Shall __________ (name of governing body) replace _________ (name of commonly known nontraditional zoning ordinance) with a zoning ordinance?
___ Yes___ No"
(f) Upon a majority vote of the voters voting in favor of replacing a nontraditional zoning ordinance with a zoning ordinance, the governing body shall immediately begin the process of adopting and enacting a zoning ordinance, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The governing body has a maximum of three years from the date of the election to adopt a zoning ordinance.
(g) The governing body may amend its nontraditional zoning ordinance during the process of adopting and enacting a zoning ordinance.
(h) If a majority of the voters reject replacing the nontraditional zoning ordinance with a zoning ordinance, the affected voters may not petition for a vote on the issue for at least two years from the date of the election.
(i) Nothing in this section shall prevent a governing body from amending its zoning ordinance in accordance with this chapter.
(j) If a governing body of a county chooses to replace a nontraditional zoning ordinance with a traditional zoning ordinance without holding an election, a petition, signed by at least 10 percent of the eligible voters who reside in the area affected by the zoning ordinance, for an election on the question of adopting a traditional zoning ordinance may be filed with the governing body of the county within 90 days after the enactment of the traditional zoning ordinance by the governing body of the county. If a petition is timely filed, then the traditional zoning ordinance does not take effect until:
(1) Notice of the election and the zoning ordinance is published in a local newspaper of general circulation in the area affected by the zoning ordinance, as a Class II-0 legal advertisement, in accordance with the provisions of 59-3-1
et seq
. of this code;
(2) An election is held; and
(3) A majority of the voters approve it.