Article XVIII, Subdivisions
Dimensional standards
Lot
Servicing
- Applies near
- U.S. Highway 360, State Highway 30
- Geographic extent
- Minor subdivisions cannot have lots with primary frontageFrontageThe length of a lot line that touches a public street. on U.S. Highway 360 or State Highway 30. Exempt subdivisions must be in an area zoned agriculturalAgricultureRaising crops or livestock, generally including the structures that serve them./conservation and every lot must abut an existing primary or secondary highway.
Extracted standards
31 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Design
- Compatibility with surrounding land uses
The subdivision shall be designed to be compatible with the surrounding land uses and the character of the area.
- Efficient provision of public services
The subdivision shall be designed to provide for the efficient provision of public services and utilities.
- Protection of groundwater and surface water quality
The subdivision shall be designed to provide for the protection of groundwater and surface water quality.
- Minimize imperviousImpervious coverageThe share of a lot covered by anything water cannot soak through — roofs, drives, patios. surface
The subdivision shall be designed to minimize the amount of impervious surface and to maximize the infiltration of stormwater.
- Preserve natural features
The subdivision shall be designed to preserve the natural features of the land, including but not limited to trees, streams, wetlands, and other environmentally sensitive areas.
- Safe and efficient movement
The subdivision shall be designed to provide for the safe and efficient movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
- Preservation of scenic views
The subdivision shall be designed to provide for the preservation of scenic views and vistas.
Floodplain
- FloodplainFloodplainLand expected to flood at a stated frequency, where building carries extra conditions. restriction
Wetlands, as defined in the state wetlands zoning act, or any land subject to periodic flooding or dam break inundation zones shall not be subdivided in such a way as to provide sites for residential occupancy nor for any other use which might involve danger to health, life or property, or aggravate the flood hazard.
Other
- Conformance to comprehensive planComprehensive planThe long-range policy document zoning is meant to implement; it is not itself binding law. and zoning ordinance
No subdivision shall be approved if it is inconsistent with the comprehensive plan or the zoning ordinance.
- Maximum number of lots in farmstead subdivision4 lots
A farmstead subdivision is a division of land that results in the creation of no more than four lots or parcels from an existing farm or agricultural operation.
- Maximum number of lots in minor residential subdivision4 lots
A minor residential subdivision is a division of land that results in the creation of no more than four lots or parcels from an existing lot or parcel.
- Minimum diameter of iron pipe for lot corner monuments0.75 in
All lot corners shall be marked with iron pipe not less than three-fourths inch in diameter or iron rod not less than one-half inch in diameter, and not less than 24 inches long and driven so as to be flush with the finished grade.
- Minimum diameter of iron rod for lot corner monuments0.5 in
All lot corners shall be marked with iron pipe not less than three-fourths inch in diameter or iron rod not less than one-half inch in diameter, and not less than 24 inches long and driven so as to be flush with the finished grade.
- Minimum lot areaMinimum lot areaThe smallest parcel on which the district allows anything to be built. for exempt subdivision1,089,000 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Every lot of the subdivision is 25 acres or greater in area.
- Minimum lot areaMinimum lot areaThe smallest parcel on which the district allows anything to be built. for farmstead subdivision lots435,600 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Each lot or parcel created is at least 10 acres in size.
- Minimum length of lot corner monument24 in
All lot corners shall be marked with iron pipe not less than three-fourths inch in diameter or iron rod not less than one-half inch in diameter, and not less than 24 inches long and driven so as to be flush with the finished grade.
- Minimum original tract area for farmstead subdivision2,178,000 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
The original tract is at least 50 acres in size.
- Minimum right-of-way width for family division lots less than 5 acresacre43,560 square feet — about the size of an American football field without the end zones.20 ft
all lots of less than five acres have reasonable right-of-way of 20 feet providing ingress and egress to a dedicated recorded public street or thoroughfare.
- Minimum right-of-way width for single-lot subdivision access25 ft
A single-lot subdivision shall either abut a public road or have access to a public road via a deeded right-of-way not less than 25 feet in width.
- Minimum utility easement width15 ft
Easements of not less than 15 feet in width shall be provided where necessary to meet public utility requirements.
- Minor subdivision access restrictions
There shall be only one access to an adjacent primary or secondary highway by a new street and no lot shall have direct access to an existing primary or secondary highway.
- No residential lot frontageFrontageThe length of a lot line that touches a public street. on U.S. Highway 360 or State Highway 30
No residential lot shall be platted in a minor subdivision, which has its primary frontage on U.S. Highway 360 or State Highway 30. Reverse frontage lots having access only from a parallel secondary highway or from new public streets are required.
- Half streets prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.
Half streets along the boundary of land proposed for subdivision shall not be permitted.
- Performance guarantee required
The subdivider shall provide a performance guarantee, in a form and amount acceptable to the county, to ensure the proper installation of all required improvements.
- Slope improvements
A plat for the subdivision of land with poor drainage, excessive slope or other adverse physical or soil conditions will be considered for approval only if the subdivider shall agree in writing to make whatever improvements are necessary, in the judgment of the agent, to render the land safe and otherwise acceptable for development.
- Street names
Proposed streets which are obviously in alignment with existing named streets shall bear the names of such existing streets. Names of proposed streets shall not duplicate existing street names, irrespective of the use of the suffix street, avenue, boulevard, drive, way, place, lane or court.
- Street identification signs
Street identification signs of a design approved by the agent shall be installed at all intersections either by the subdivider or at their cost.
- Street design standards
All streets in a proposed subdivision shall be designed and constructed in accordance with subdivision street standards of VDOT.
- Plat drawn by surveyor
All plats required by this article shall be drawn by a land surveyor licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- Land suitability
No subdivision shall be approved if adequate investigations by trained personnel determine that, due to soil, water table, topographic, light, air or other natural conditions, the site of the proposed subdivision is unsuitable for platting and development in the manner proposed.
- Utility placement
All utilities, poles or underground conduits for electric power lines or communication lines shall be placed in alleys if such are provided or in easements appropriately located, generally along the rear or side lot lines whenever this is possible.
From the ordinance
The subdivision layout shall conform in all essential respects with the adopted thoroughfares plan and other elements of the adopted comprehensive plan for the county.