Hillsville, VA Zoning Ordinance#

ARTICLE I#

General Provisions#

§ 171-1 Title. This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Zoning Ordinance of Hillsville, Virginia." The map portion may be cited separately as the "Zoning Map of Hillsville, Virginia."¹

§ 171-2 Authority. This chapter and map are adopted according to the authority of Title 15.1, Chapter XI, Article 8, §§ 15.1-486 through 15.1-498 et seq., Code of Virginia 1950 (as amended). As specified therein, the Town of Hillsville is authorized to provide for the establishment of districts within the corporate limits in which the town may regulate, restrict, permit, prohibit and determine:

A. The use of land, building, structures and other premises for agricultural, business, industrial, residential, flood protection and other specific uses.

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

C. 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 the establishment of minimum lot sizes based on whether a public or community water supply or sewer system is available and used.

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

§ 171-3 Matters considered in applying zoning. Pursuant to the requirements of § 15.1-490, Code of Virginia 1950, as amended, the regulations contained in this chapter and the districts established by this chapter have been drawn and applied with consideration for:

A. The existing use and character of property.

B. The Comprehensive Plan of the town.

C. The suitability of property for various uses.

D. Trends of growth or change in the town.

E. Current and future requirements of the town as to land for various purposes as determined by population and economic studies and other studies carried out through the Comprehensive Plan.

F. Transportation requirements of the town and requirements for airports, housing, schools, parks, playgrounds, recreation areas and other public services.

G. Conservation of natural resources, preservation of floodplains and preservation of agricultural and forestal land.

H. Conservation of properties and their values.

I. Encouragement of the most appropriate use of land throughout the town.

§ 171-4 Jurisdiction. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all land within the corporate limits of the Town of Hillsville, Virginia.

§ 171-5 Intent. The intent of this chapter is to classify the territory of the town into zoning districts for the general purpose of promoting the health, safety and general welfare of the public and of further accomplishing the objectives of § 15.1-427, Code of Virginia 1950, as amended.

§ 171-6 Purpose. Pursuant to the provisions of § 15.1-489, Code of Virginia 1950, as amended, this chapter is designed to give reasonable consideration to each of the following purposes, where applicable:

A. To provide for adequate light, air, convenience of access and safety from fire, flood, crime and other dangers.

B. To reduce or prevent congestion in the public streets.

C. To facilitate the creation of a convenient, attractive and harmonious community.

D. 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.

E. To protect against destruction of or encroachment upon historic areas.

F. 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, panic or other dangers.

G. To encourage economic development activities that provide desirable employment and enlarge the tax base.

H. To provide for the preservation of agricultural and forest lands and other lands of significance for the protection of the natural environment.[Amended 6-27-2016]

I. To protect approach slopes and other safety areas of licensed airports, including United States government and military air facilities.

J. To promote the creation and preservation of affordable housing suitable for meeting the current and future needs of the town as well as a reasonable proportion of the current and future needs of the Mount Rogers Planning District.

K. To protect surface water and groundwater, as defined in § 62.1-255, Code of Virginia.

L. To ensure delinquent taxes are satisfied, as provided in § 15.2-2286, Code of Virginia.[Added 6-27-2016]