Sec. 5-5005.P
Extracted standards
6 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Fencing & walls
- Minimum screen heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.6 ft
screening with a solid, durable wall or a substantial, solid fence, not less than six (6) feet in height shall be provided in the buffer zone
Height
- Maximum canopy heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.15 ft
The canopy of a gasoline station shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet in height measured from the bottom of the canopy to the paved surface of the fueling lane
Other
- Maximum towing storage area3,500 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
A motor vehicle storage lot containing no more than three thousand five hundred (3,500) square feet may be permitted for use in connection with a towing operation.
- Minimum distance between driveways20 ft
There shall be at least twenty (20) feet between driveways on each street and all driveways shall be perpendicular to the curb or street line.
- Minimum setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from building line for pumps10 ft
Gasoline pumps or other service appliances shall be located on the lot at least ten (10) feet behind the building line
- Vacancy period triggering surety18 months
In the event that a gas station is vacant for a period greater than eighteen (18) months, the county shall require the owner of record to provide suitable financial surety
From the ordinance
In addition to the buffer zone planting requirements of article VIII, screening with a solid, durable wall or a substantial, solid fence, not less than six (6) feet in height shall be provided in the buffer zone. Required buffer zone plantings shall be located between the solid screen and the adjacent properties. Such additional screening may be waived by the board of supervisors when the natural terrain or existing vegetation provides an effective buffer. Signs, product displays, parked vehicles, and other obstructions that would adversely affect visibility at any intersection or driveway shall be prohibited. Lighting, including permitted illuminated signs, shall be arranged so as not to reflect or cause glare in any residential zone or upon the adjacent roadway. Gasoline pumps or other service appliances shall be located on the lot at least ten (10) feet behind the building line... There shall be at least twenty (20) feet between driveways on each street and all driveways shall be perpendicular to the curb or street line. Light motor vehicle repair work may be done at a motor vehicle fuel and service station, provided that no major repairs, spray paint operation, or body or fender repair are permitted. Motor vehicles shall not be parked so as to overhang the public right-of-way. A motor vehicle storage lot containing no more than three thousand five hundred (3,500) square feet may be permitted for use in connection with a towing operation. Such storage shall be screened from public view as specified in article VIII, and shall not be for the storage of inoperable, unlicensed, or unregistered motor vehicles. When such use occupies a corner lot, the location of egress and ingress driveways shall be in compliance with any and all applicable standards of the Virginia Department of Transportation. Such driveways shall not exceed the applicable commercial entrance standards or requirements of the Virginia Department of Transportation. The canopy of a gasoline station shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet in height measured from the bottom of the canopy to the paved surface of the fueling lane, shall have a double-pitched roof of no less than 5:12, and shall be architecturally integrated with the principle building. The canopy shall utilize the same architectural elements and building materials as the principle building. In the event that a gas station is vacant for a period greater than eighteen (18) months, the county shall require the owner of record to provide suitable financial surety in an amount sufficient to remove and dispose of any underground tanks plus ten percent (10%). Absent such surety, the county may remove any such tanks and place a lien on the property including all administration costs.