Halifax, Virginia · General provision

Article V, Sec. 53-137

Uses

Conditional / special use1

Extracted standards

24 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.

Environmental

  • Environmental assessment required

    An environmental assessment addressing potential impacts on wetlands, floodplains, and other sensitive areas shall be included in the permit application.

Lighting

  • Outdoor lighting glare reduction

    Outdoor lights or lighting shall be designed and installed so as to diminish to the greatest extent possible the glare emanating from such lights or lighting onto adjoining properties.

Noise

  • Noise impact assessment required

    A noise impact assessment prepared by a qualified professional shall be included in the permit application.

Other

  • No person shall operate a commercial firing range without first obtaining a conditional use permit from the board of supervisors.

  • Design standard: NRA Range Source Book

    Facilities proposed for permitting under this section shall be designed and constructed in accordance with guidelines specified in The NRA Range Source Book: A Guide to Planning and Construction, published by the National Rifle Association, latest edition.

  • Exempt events

    Turkey shoots, target shoots, and similar events of an infrequent nature sponsored by tax-exempt organizations shall be exempt from the requirements of this chapter.

  • Firing ranges in existence at the effective date of the ordinance shall be considered as nonconforming uses, and any expansion or modification shall comply with this article.

  • Eye and ear protection required

    All persons at the firing line shall wear approved eye and ear protection, unless the person signs a waiver/release declining to use eye and/or ear protection.

  • Maximum rifle caliber0.45 caliber

    No rifles exceeding caliber .45 shall be permitted, exclusive of blackpowder rifles, which shall be permitted in higher caliber.

  • Minimum age without adult supervision18 years

    Individuals under 18 years of age will be allowed to utilize the facility, provided they are accompanied by parent or legal guardian, or under adult supervision and a signed release.

  • Minimum first aid/CPR certified persons on site1 count

    There shall be on site during firing range operating hours a minimum of one person with a minimum of basic first aid and CPR certifications.

  • Minimum liability insurance aggregate2,000,000 USD

    The applicant shall provide and maintain comprehensive general liability insurance with limits of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence and two million dollars ($2,000,000.00) in the aggregate, naming the county as an additional insured.

  • Minimum liability insurance per occurrence1,000,000 USD

    The applicant shall provide and maintain comprehensive general liability insurance with limits of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence and two million dollars ($2,000,000.00) in the aggregate, naming the county as an additional insured.

  • Minimum range safety officers on duty1 count

    A minimum of one range safety officer shall be on duty during operating hours.

  • Operating hours

    Commercial firing ranges shall be permitted to operate during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday. For competitive events, Sunday hours may be modified to 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. upon approval by the board of supervisors.

  • The use of explosive tip, armor-piercing or Teflon-coated projectile ammunition shall not be allowed within the facility.

  • The range/shooting area shall be located a minimum of 1,000 feet from any existing dwelling.

  • The range/shooting area shall be located a minimum of 300 feet from any highway right-of-way and from any property line.

  • The range/shooting area shall be located a minimum of 300 feet from any highway right-of-way and from any property line.

  • All structures, including clubhouse and/or office building, shall be located a minimum of 100 feet from any highway right-of-way and from any property line.

  • All structures, including clubhouse and/or office building, shall be located a minimum of 100 feet from any highway right-of-way and from any property line.

  • Variances may be considered under exceptional narrowness, shallowness, size, shape or topographic condition of the parcel, or use of new or alternate technologies proven to achieve equal or greater safety or noise mitigation.

Signage

  • Maximum sign spacing along boundary100 ft

    Signs shall be mounted along the range boundary, separated by not more than 100 feet, with the words 'Firing Range' and 'Do Not Enter' on each sign.

  • Minimum sign size

    Signs shall be a minimum of 18 inches by 24 inches and shall be bright or fluorescent red or orange.

From the ordinance

Commercial firing ranges shall be permitted to operate during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday.
Article V, Sec. 53-137