zoneoptics
Hanover County Unincorporated, Virginia · General provision

Sections 26-86 through 26-96

Mixed UseAll Hanover County Unincorporated districts0

Dimensional standards

Density

Maximum density
15 du/acredu/acreDwelling units per acre — the number of homes allowed on each acre of land.

Height & bulk

Maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.
60 ft
Maximum storiesStoreysHabitable floor levels. Whether a basement or attic counts is defined by the local code.
5
Maximum floor area ratioFloor area ratio (FAR)Total floor area divided by lot area — an FAR of 2.0 permits 20,000 sq ft of floor on a 10,000 sq ft lot.
50
Minimum open spaceOpen spaceLand a development must leave unbuilt, sometimes required to be usable or planted.
25%

Housing

Single-familySingle-family dwellingOne dwelling unit on its own lot, usually detached from its neighbours.
by_right
Two-family
by_right
Three-family
by_right
Four-plus family
by_right

Parking

Minimum spacesMinimum parkingThe number of off-street spaces a development must provide before it may open.
2.25

Servicing

Applies near
suburban service area
Geographic extent
MX Mixed Use Districts may be located within the suburban service area as depicted on the general land use plan in the county comprehensive planComprehensive planThe long-range policy document zoning is meant to implement; it is not itself binding law. only in areas designated as Planned Business, Commercial, Suburban High Multi-familyMultifamily dwellingA building of four or more dwelling units. Where zoning is most restrictive., Mixed-Use and Multi-Use.

Uses

Permitted by right8

Conditional / special use6

  • any conditional use listed in the RS, Residential Single-Family District
  • any conditional use listed in the B-1, Neighborhood Business District
  • any conditional use listed in the M-1, Limited Industrial District
  • any permitted or conditional use listed in the B-2, General Business District
  • telecommunications towers (>140 ft)
  • temporary telecommunications towers

Accessory2

Extracted standards

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

Density

Height

Lighting

Other

  • Berm average heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.3 ft

    If a berm is to be utilized it shall be a landscaped sculpted, non-linear undulating landform with an average height of three (3) feet.

  • Buffer active recreation credit maximum percentage25 pct

    or more than twenty-five (25) percent of the active recreation area.

  • Buffer common area credit maximum percentage50 pct

    The buffer shall be not be used to provide more than fifty (50) percent of the required common area

  • Buffer lot prohibition

    No buffer shall be located on an individual residential building lot.

  • Buffer measurement basis

    All required buffers shall be measured from the ultimate right-of-way in accordance with the major thoroughfare plan. In instances in which the property does not have frontage on a designated Major Thoroughfare, the buffer shall be measured twenty-five (25) feet from the centerline of the road.

  • Buffer measurement ultimate ROW

    All buffers shall be measured from the ultimate right-of-way for the street or Major Thoroughfare upon which they are located.

  • Buffer vegetation requirement

    All buffers shall retain healthy and mature vegetation where practical. Where necessary, the buffer shall also be supplemented with a combination of trees, shrubs, or berms.

  • Buffer width major thoroughfare commercial/industrial25 ft

    For commercial and industrial uses, a buffer shall be provided, and shall be no less than twenty-five (25) feet in width.

  • Buffer width major thoroughfare residential50 ft

    For residential uses, a buffer no less than fifty (50) feet in width

  • Buffer width other public road25 ft

    A buffer no less than twenty-five (25) feet in width shall be required along the frontage of all other existing public roads

  • Commercial/institutional access limit1 access per use

    All commercial and institutional uses shall be limited to no more than one (1) direct access per use to any road outside of the district.

  • Commercial mixed use area calculation

    When commercial uses are mixed with residential uses, the area of development shall be calculated for commercial development.

  • Curb and gutter required

    Curb and gutter shall be used throughout the development.

  • Existing feature preservation requirement

    To the extent possible, existing features which would enhance the value of the district, including trees, watercourses, historical sites, and similar assets, shall be preserved.

  • Extension of time director3 months

    Following the initial term of the performance agreement, the director may grant one (1) three-month extension

  • Extension of time planning commission

    Any additional extension shall be approved by the Planning Commission.

  • Final plat/plan relationship

    All plats and site plans shall be in substantial conformity with the approved master plan.

  • Improvement completion deadline large subdivision36 months

    In subdivisions or sections of subdivisions with fifty (50) lots or more, all zoning improvements must be completed within 36 months of recordation of the subdivision plat.

  • Improvement completion deadline small subdivision24 months

    In subdivisions or sections of subdivisions with fewer than fifty (50) lots, all zoning improvements must be completed within twenty-four (24) months of recordation of the subdivision plat

  • Improvement completion timing

    The improvements identified in subsection (h) may be completed at any time at or after recordation of a subdivision (or section of a subdivision) and improvements on a particular lot shall be completed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for that lot.

  • Improvement default consequences

    Should the developer fail to complete the necessary improvements, (1) the subdivision or section of subdivision will be deemed to be in default of the zoning performance agreement and the county will undertake necessary efforts to enforce the zoning performance agreement, and (2) no additional building permits for the subdivision or section of subdivision shall be issued until such time as the required zoning improvements have been installed, inspected, and accepted by Hanover County.

  • Improvement inspection schedule

    Hanover County will perform inspections in accordance with the following schedule: (1) For subdivisions, or a section of a subdivision, that contain thirty (30) or more lots, prior to issuance of certificates of occupancy for the final six (6) lots within the subdivision or section; (2) For subdivisions, or a section of a subdivision, that contain fewer than thirty (30) lots but more than nine (9) lots, prior to issuance of certificates of occupancy for eighty (80) percent of the lots within the subdivision or section; and (3) For subdivisions, or a section of a subdivision, that contain nine (9) or fewer lots (other than those determined by the board to be 'in-fill' development in accordance with section 26-61(e)), prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy for the final lot within the subdivision or section.

  • Improvement installation timing

    The developer shall: (1) At its expense, install all required street buffers, street trees, pedestrian paths, and streetlights and related improvements identified on the approved plans prior to recordation of the section within which those improvements are to be constructed, or (2) At the time of recordation, enter into an agreement providing for the installation of the improvements and post surety in an amount sufficient to install the remaining improvements.

  • Master planComprehensive planThe long-range policy document zoning is meant to implement; it is not itself binding law. amendment procedure

    Once approved, any amendments to the MX District or to the master plan shall be in accordance with the procedures set forth in section 26-302.

  • Master planComprehensive planThe long-range policy document zoning is meant to implement; it is not itself binding law. commercial radius1,200 ft

    Within the boundaries of the project, a circle with a radius of one thousand two hundred (1,200) feet shall be inscribed around each commercial area

  • Master planComprehensive planThe long-range policy document zoning is meant to implement; it is not itself binding law. preparer requirement

    The master plan shall be prepared by a licensed surveyor, engineer, architect, landscape architect, or planner.

  • Master planComprehensive planThe long-range policy document zoning is meant to implement; it is not itself binding law. required elements

    The master plan shall include the following: 1. The proposed title of the project and the name of the engineer, architect, designer, or landscape architect, and the owner/developer. 2. The northpoint, scale, and date. 3. Zoning and zoning district boundaries, both existing and proposed. 4. Vicinity sketch. 5. Location of existing environmental, topographical, and historic resources. 6. Proposed lot lines. 7. The number and location of residential dwelling units, by type. 8. Proposed square footage of commercial and industrial buildings. 9. Designation of areas of common space. 10. General location of proposed structures. 11. A project design manual.

  • Master planComprehensive planThe long-range policy document zoning is meant to implement; it is not itself binding law. requirement

    A master plan complying with the requirements specified in this article shall accompany an application for approval of an MX District.

  • Master planComprehensive planThe long-range policy document zoning is meant to implement; it is not itself binding law. scale large

    For proposed districts of one hundred (100) acres or more, the scale shall be not less than 1:400″

  • Master planComprehensive planThe long-range policy document zoning is meant to implement; it is not itself binding law. scale small

    Plans for districts less than one hundred (100) acres shall be drawn at a scale of not less than 1:200″

  • Master planComprehensive planThe long-range policy document zoning is meant to implement; it is not itself binding law. sheet size

    The scale shall be appropriate to permit the entire project to be represented on a sheet of paper no larger than thirty (30) inches by forty-eight (48) inches.

  • Master planComprehensive planThe long-range policy document zoning is meant to implement; it is not itself binding law. slope threshold25 pct

    slopes of twenty-five (25) percent or greater

  • Master planComprehensive planThe long-range policy document zoning is meant to implement; it is not itself binding law. topography interval2 ft

    Topography, at an interval of two (2) feet.

  • Minimum commercial/industrial percentage of net developable area35 pct

    No less than thirty-five (35) percent of the net developable area shall be used for commercial or industrial development.

  • Minimum districtZoning districtA mapped area with one set of rules, identified by a code like R-1 or B-2. area20 acresacre43,560 square feet — about the size of an American football field without the end zones.

    The minimum area for a Mixed Use District shall be twenty (20) acres

  • Minimum open spaceOpen spaceLand a development must leave unbuilt, sometimes required to be usable or planted. percentage of net developable area25 pct

    No less than twenty-five (25) percent of the net developable area of the overall district shall be set aside as open space.

  • Net developable area definition

    For purposes of the regulations governing the MX Mixed Use District, 'net developable area' shall be defined as the total acreage of the site minus those areas in floodplains, Chesapeake Bay Protection Areas, wetlands, and slopes of 25% or greater.

  • No minimum lot areaMinimum lot areaThe smallest parcel on which the district allows anything to be built./yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. requirement

    Within the district, there shall be no minimum lot areas nor minimum lot front, rear, or side yard requirements except as approved as part of the master plan for the district or except as specified above.

  • Non-residential setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from districtZoning districtA mapped area with one set of rules, identified by a code like R-1 or B-2. boundary100 ft

    No use other than residential uses shall be located closer than one hundred (100) feet to the boundary of the district or to any adjoining existing or proposed road except as part of a combined use.

  • Open spaceOpen spaceLand a development must leave unbuilt, sometimes required to be usable or planted. accessibility requirement

    Open space areas shall be designed and located so as to maximize public accessibility, emphasize inter-relationships between uses within the project, and create visual connections between spaces.

  • Open spaceOpen spaceLand a development must leave unbuilt, sometimes required to be usable or planted. adjacency requirement

    The open space shall generally abut existing or potential open space land on adjacent parcels, and shall be designed as part of any existing or proposed larger contiguous and integrated greenway systems.

  • Open spaceOpen spaceLand a development must leave unbuilt, sometimes required to be usable or planted. amenities requirement

    They shall also contain features and amenities which encourage safe and continued public use, such as bandstands, pavilions, gazebos, benches, tables, and playgrounds.

  • Open spaceOpen spaceLand a development must leave unbuilt, sometimes required to be usable or planted. conveyance alternatives

    The board may approve conveyance of the open space and any open space easement to a qualifying nonprofit or governmental entity other than the owners' association or the county, upon a finding that: 1. Such a conveyance will achieve purposes of open space consistent with the character of the MX District; 2. The conveyance will be beneficial to the future owners within the district and to the public; and 3. The purposes and resources of the entity and the proposed conveyance are consistent with the perpetual preservation of the open space and significant features.

  • Open spaceOpen spaceLand a development must leave unbuilt, sometimes required to be usable or planted. covenant requirement

    All common open space shall be protected by covenants setting forth the provisions for ownership and for maintenance of the open space.

  • Open spaceOpen spaceLand a development must leave unbuilt, sometimes required to be usable or planted. dispersion requirement

    Open space shall be reasonably dispersed throughout the site, and, where possible, shall be connected by a pedestrian circulation system, including sidewalks, pathways, and trails.

  • Open spaceOpen spaceLand a development must leave unbuilt, sometimes required to be usable or planted. easement requirement

    Unless alternate arrangements are approved by the board, prior to or contemporaneously with final subdivision plat or site plan approval for any section within an MX District, applicants shall record documents conveying open space easements applicable to the common and open space to the county, with content approved by the county, requiring preservation of features so designated on the plan, requiring maintenance in perpetuity of the common and open space, prohibiting further division of those areas, and prohibiting any use not permitted by the Zoning Ordinance.

  • Open spaceOpen spaceLand a development must leave unbuilt, sometimes required to be usable or planted. exclusions

    It shall not include yards of dwelling units or outdoor areas used in connection with a commercial or industrial use.

  • Open spaceOpen spaceLand a development must leave unbuilt, sometimes required to be usable or planted. land deduction requirement

    Open space areas shall incorporate all lands deducted from the gross acreage to determine net acreage (floodplains, Chesapeake Bay protection areas, wetlands, and slopes of twenty-five (25) percent or greater).

  • Owners association requirement

    Prior to or contemporaneously with the final subdivision plat or site plan approval for the first section of the district, the applicant shall record documents which create an owners' association. The association shall be required to maintain all open space, common areas and amenities, including recreation facilities, street lights, street trees, alleys, and pedestrian paths, and all lot owners shall be members of the association. The association shall be authorized to assess fees and impose liens on members' property for the cost of maintenance of the maintained areas and amenities

  • Pedestrian path curb separation4 ft

    The path shall be separated from the back of the curb by a distance of no less than four (4) feet.

  • Pedestrian path drainage requirement

    Sidewalks shall be located and constructed so as not to impede the flow of surface drainage from adjacent sites to the ditch system.

  • Pedestrian path width4 ft

    The paths shall be constructed of permanent materials such as concrete, asphalt, brick, pavers, or other materials which are substantially similar, and shall be no less than four (4) feet in width.

  • Plaza credit multiplier2 x

    Public squares and plazas that are surrounded on at least three (3) sides by residential or commercial uses which front the plaza or peripheral roads adjoining the plaza shall be counted at twice the actual area toward satisfaction of the open space requirement.

  • Private street design requirement

    The design for all private streets and private access drives shall be included as part of the master plan and reviewed at the time of district approval. Any private street shall be constructed in accordance with the standards set forth in division 5 of article III of the Subdivision Ordinance.

  • Project design manual requirement

    A project design manual, to include descriptions, depictions, and typical drawings for the following: a. An overall project description establishing the intended community characteristics, design themes, and elements to be incorporated into the project, to include concepts related to bulk and scale, physical relationships, and material composition. b. Proposed typical elevations for all structures. c. Landscape details. d. Neighborhood design characteristics. e. Pedestrian system.

  • Public utilitiesPublic utilitiesInfrastructure serving the wider area — substations, pump stations, towers. required

    All MX Districts shall be developed with public utilities.

  • Recreation area designation requirement

    All recreation areas shall be designated on the master plan.

  • Recreation improvement timing

    All improvements shall be constructed prior to issuance of any certificate of occupancy within the section of the project served by the recreation area; in the alternative, the applicant may post a bond or provide other surety acceptable to the Director in an amount equal to the estimated cost to complete such improvements and a twenty-five (25) percent allowance for estimated administrative costs, including attorneys' fees, if applicable, and inflation.

  • Recreation ownership and maintenance

    The recreational areas and facilities shall be owned and maintained by either the developer or the residents' association.

  • Residential access restriction

    No residential use shall have direct access to any road outside of the district.

  • Residential setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from districtZoning districtA mapped area with one set of rules, identified by a code like R-1 or B-2. boundary50 ft

    No residential use shall be located closer than fifty (50) feet to the boundary of the district or to any adjoining existing or proposed road except as part of a combined use.

  • Street public/private requirement

    All streets within the district shall be public unless approved to be private streets or private access drives by the board.

Parking

  • Parallel parking permitted

    Parallel parking shall be permitted within the district, in accordance with standards and requirements of the Virginia Department of Transportation.

  • Parking location options

    Required parking may be provided on-street or off-street (whether located on the same zoning lot with the building or use served or on a separate lot)

  • Parking phase location requirement

    All required parking, whether on-street or off-street, must be located within the phase or section within which the use is located.

  • Parking ratio commercial/industrial1 spaces/300 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

    1 parking space per three hundred (300) square feet of approved commercial or industrial uses.

  • Parking ratio dwelling unitDwelling unitOne independent home: its own kitchen, bathroom and entrance.2.25 spaces/du

    2.25 parking spaces per dwelling unit

Signage

  • Sign design standard requirement

    Design standards for signs and light fixtures within the district shall be approved by the board at the time of district approval.

From the ordinance

The purpose of this district is to encourage large-scale developments... The minimum area for a Mixed Use District shall be twenty (20) acres... No less than twenty-five (25) percent of the net developable area of the overall district shall be set aside as open space... The gross density of the net developable area of the district shall be as follows: 1. For areas shown on the General Land Use Plan... as Planned Business, Commercial, Mixed-Use and Multi-Use, the maximum density shall not exceed fifteen (15) units per acre; 2. For areas shown... as Multi-family, the maximum density shall not exceed fifteen (15) units per acre. 3. For areas shown... as Suburban High, the maximum density shall not exceed eight (8) units per acre. All MX Districts shall be developed with public utilities. Parking shall be provided within the district as follows: a. 2.25 parking spaces per dwelling unit; b. 1 parking space per three hundred (300) square feet of approved commercial or industrial uses. Single-family dwelling units, both attached and detached shall not exceed a height of four (4) stories or fifty (50) feet, whichever is less. Multiple-family structures all other commercial and institutional uses, including combined use structures, shall not exceed a height of five (5) stories or sixty (60) feet, whichever is less.
Sections 26-86 through 26-96

Parking requirements

{
  "dwelling_unit": "2.25 spaces per dwelling unit",
  "commercial_or_industrial": "1 space per 300 sq ft"
}