Sec. 22-234.30, 22-234.32, 22-234.33, 22-234.34, 22-234.35, 22-234.38, 22-234.39, 22-234.40, 22-234.42, 22-234.43, 22-234.44, 22-234.45
Dimensional standards
Lot
Height & bulk
Housing
- Two-family
- by_right
- Three-family
- by_right
- Four-plus family
- by_right
Servicing
- Geographic extent
- Comprehensive planComprehensive planThe long-range policy document zoning is meant to implement; it is not itself binding law. designated-planned growth areas of the county, especially along major roadways and near major street intersections
Uses
Permitted by right1
- All uses allowed by-right in R-1, R-1A, R-2, B-1, B-2, or B-3
Conditional / special use1
- Any use allowed by conditional use permit in at least one of the zoning districts listed in (a)(1) above, but allowed by-right in none of such zoning districts
Extracted standards
35 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Height
- Architectural features heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. exception25 ft
In no event shall such additional architectural features have a maximum height more than 25 feet of the maximum height that is otherwise allowed.
Landscaping & trees
- Street tree distance from right-of-way10 ft
Street trees shall be planted no more than ten feet from rights-of-way and shall be a minimum of two and one-half-inches in diameter at time of planting as measured at six inches from ground level.
- Street tree spacing30 ft
One street tree shall be provided on both sides of the street for every 30 feet of street frontage on all streets in the MU district.
Lighting
- Street light heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. range10 ft
Street lights shall be between ten and 15 feet in height and shall have a maximum average spacing of 75 feet on center on each side of the street and travel lanes.
- Maximum street light spacing75 ft
Street lights shall be between ten and 15 feet in height and shall have a maximum average spacing of 75 feet on center on each side of the street and travel lanes.
Other
- Block depth range200 ft
Street design in the MU district shall consist of a series of interconnected streets that form a pedestrian-scaled system of blocks that are in the range of 200—400 feet deep by 300—660 feet long as measured along the centerline of intersecting streets that encompass the block.
- Block length range300 ft
Street design in the MU district shall consist of a series of interconnected streets that form a pedestrian-scaled system of blocks that are in the range of 200—400 feet deep by 300—660 feet long as measured along the centerline of intersecting streets that encompass the block.
- Facade recesses/projections for long facades20 pct
Building facades greater than 100 feet in length shall incorporate recesses, projections, porches/arcades, and/or windows along at least 20 percent of the length of the façade if located on main streets.
- Ground floor window percentage for commercial buildings40 pct
The first floor (street level) of all street facing commercial buildings must have 40 percent or more of their façade between two and eight feet in height comprised of windows that allow views of indoor space or product display areas.
- Percentage of open spaceOpen spaceLand a development must leave unbuilt, sometimes required to be usable or planted. to be improved60 pct
At least 60 percent of the minimum required open space must be improved as a plaza, square, or green with amenities that reflect the intended demographics of the development.
- Maximum cul-de-sac percentage10 pct
Culs-de-sac shall not exceed ten percent of the total length of streets in a mixed use development (not including alleys).
- Maximum distance of residential housing to open spaceOpen spaceLand a development must leave unbuilt, sometimes required to be usable or planted.1,320 ft
The residential housing shall be located within 0.25 mile (1,320 feet) of some type of dedicated open space of the community.
- Maximum residential percentage of net development area90 pct
No more than 90 percent of the net development area of a mixed use development shall be residential.
- Maximum percentage of any one housing type70 pct
No more than 70 percent of the total number of units in a mixed use development shall be any one type (single-family detached, single-family attached, multifamily, townhouses, etc.).
- Minimum bicycle lane width4 ft
Separate bicycle lanes shall be a minimum of four feet in width.
- Minimum distance between opposed buildings with rear alley access30 ft
the distance between opposed buildings is a minimum of 30 feet.
- Minimum number of housing types2 types
Each mixed use development shall include a minimum of two different housing types.
- Minimum sidewalk width for other sidewalks5 ft
All other required sidewalks shall be no less than five feet wide.
- Minimum sidewalk width with outdoor seating16 ft
Where outdoor seating i.e., restaurant seating, is provided on a sidewalk, sidewalks shall be a minimum of 16 feet wide.
- Minimum sidewalk width at primary entrances8 ft
All sidewalks located along primary commercial and mixed use building entrances utilized for the general public shall be a minimum of eight feet wide.
- Maximum outside storage area percentage40 pct
They may not exceed 40 percent of ground floor building area, shall be located in side or rear yards adjacent to the principal building, and shall be screened from view of adjacent streets and/or adjacent property.
- Primary entrance orientation
Principal buildings must have a primary entrance door oriented towards the street or adjacent plazas, parks, squares, sidewalks or pedestrian walkways.
- Rear yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. exception for multifamilyMultifamily dwellingA building of four or more dwelling units. Where zoning is most restrictive./commercial/mixed use
There shall be no minimum rear yard setback requirement for multifamily dwellings, commercial buildings, or mixed use buildings if they are located within 75 feet of a common open space designed and improved as a plaza, square, green, or landscaped courtyard.
- Residential units above ground floor
Residential dwelling units shall be permitted within the same buildings as other permitted uses provided that such dwelling units shall be located above the ground floor (floor at street level) of the building so as not to interrupt the commercial frontage in the district.
- Minimum side yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line.
Minimum side yard setback: Minimum allowed per Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code
Parking
- Maximum distance of on-street parking to activity600 ft
On-street parking spaces shall be located within 600 feet of the activity they serve and shall be approved by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).
Signage
- Maximum awning sign area8 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Maximum of eight square feet of signage area on an awning.
- Maximum freestanding sign area50 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Freestanding business signs shall not exceed ten feet in height and 50 square feet in area.
- Maximum freestanding sign heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.10 ft
Freestanding business signs shall not exceed ten feet in height and 50 square feet in area.
- Maximum projecting sign area6 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
The maximum sign area shall be six square feet on any side of the building.
- Maximum projecting sign width3 ft
The width of the signboard shall not exceed three feet.
- Minimum projecting sign clearance8 ft
The distance from the lower edge of the signboard to the ground shall be eight feet or greater.
- Maximum wall-mounted sign area ratio1.5 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000. per linear ft
Wall-mounted signs may encompass a maximum of 1.5 square feet for every 1.0 linear feet of building frontage.
- Maximum wall-mounted sign area150 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
The total area of a wall-mounted sign may not exceed 150 square feet.
- Maximum wall-mounted sign heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.18 ft
Wall mounted signs shall not exceed 18 feet in height.
From the ordinance
The purpose of the Mixed Use District (MU) is to implement the comprehensive plan goals by promoting economic growth in the comprehensive plan designated-planned growth areas of the county... The minimum area required for a mixed use development shall be five contiguous acres of land.