Loudoun County Unincorporated, Virginia · General provision

Section 5.03

Dimensional standards

Servicing

Applies near
FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map
Geographic extent
Applies to all privately and publicly owned lands within Loudoun County identified as being located within the FloodplainFloodplainLand expected to flood at a stated frequency, where building carries extra conditions. Overlay DistrictOverlay districtA second set of rules laid over the base district, adding requirements without replacing it. (FOD) based on FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map dated February 17, 2017.

Uses

Permitted by right19

Conditional / special use6

  • Marinas, boat rentals, docks, piers, wharves, water ski jump facilities
  • Special Events with land disturbing activity
  • Riding stables
  • Structures required for operation of a public utility not otherwise permitted
  • Incidental structures greater than 840 square feet of floor area
  • Passive and Active Recreation Uses except swimming pools with impervious surface >10% of FOD Major Floodplain area on parcel, causing boundary change or increase in base flood elevation

Prohibited1

  • Bulk storage of gasoline, chemicals, fuels, or similar substances

Extracted standards

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

Density

  • FOD land area included in density calculations

    For purposes of calculating permitted floor area and number of residential units, land area in any portion of the FOD must be included.

Other

  • Anchoring to prevent flotation

    All new construction and substantial improvements must be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement.

  • Flood-resistant materials

    All new construction and substantial improvements must be constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage.

  • Passive and Active Recreation Uses permitted provided impervious surfaces within FOD (Major Floodplain) do not exceed 3% of the area of FOD (Major Floodplain) on the parcel.

  • Passive and Active Recreation Uses as Special Exception permitted provided impervious surfaces do not exceed 10% of FOD (Major Floodplain) area on parcel.

  • Nonresidential lowest floor elevation or floodproofing

    New construction or substantial improvement of any nonresidential building must have the lowest floor elevated to or above the base flood elevation, or be floodproofed to 1 foot above BFE.

  • Residential lowest floor elevation

    New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure must have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation (1 foot freeboard recommended).

  • Recreational vehicles placed for 180 days or longer

    Recreational vehicles placed on a site for 180 days or longer are deemed manufactured homes and must meet all development standards.

  • Space below lowest floor requirements

    Fully enclosed areas below base flood elevation must not be used for human habitation, must be constructed of flood-resistant materials, and must have openings to equalize hydrostatic forces (minimum 1 sq inch per sq ft of enclosed area).

  • Subdivision proposals must minimize flood damage

    All subdivision proposals must be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage, have utilities located to minimize flood damage, and have adequate drainage.

  • Utilities designed to prevent flood water entry

    Electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, air conditioning equipment, and other service facilities must be designed and/or located to prevent water from entering or accumulating during flooding.

From the ordinance

Only those uses set forth in Section 5.03.E and 5.03.F will be permitted or Special Exception uses within the FOD.
Section 5.03

Use details

{
  "dropped_conditions": {
    "permitted_uses": [
      "In Minor Floodplain: Alteration of floodplain",
      "In Minor Floodplain: Stormwater management improvements",
      "In Minor Floodplain: Ponds designed by NRCS, P.E., or Class B Land Surveyor",
      "In Minor Floodplain: Basketball or tennis courts, and swimming pools",
      "In Minor Floodplain: Parking areas less than 5,000 square feet"
    ]
  }
}