Dimensional standards
Extracted standards
31 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Floodplain
- Floodway rise limit1 ft
The channel of a river or other watercourse and those portions of the adjoining floodplains which are reasonably required to discharge the water of the 100-year flood (base flood), without causing a more than one-foot rise at any point in the City as shown in the City's flood insurance study published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Landscaping & trees
- Minimum landscape island area (parking bay)216 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
An area containing a shade tree and other required landscaping not less than 108 square feet for a parking row or 216 square feet for a parking bay.
- Minimum landscape island area108 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
An area containing a shade tree and other required landscaping not less than 108 square feet for a parking row or 216 square feet for a parking bay.
- Minimum tree caliper2.5 in
A minimum caliper of at least two and one-half inches at the time of planting shall be required.
Other
- Antenna support structure heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. threshold30 ft
Any building or other structure 30 feet in height or taller other than a tower which can be used for location of telecommunications facilities.
- Attic headroom for floor area8 ft
Attic space (whether or not a floor has been laid) providing structural headroom of eight feet or more.
- Basement heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. ratio for floor area0.33 ratio
Basement space, except such space in a basement which has at least one-third of its height below curb level, and which is located in a residential building with not more than two stories entirely above curb level.
- Elderly occupancy requirement
all occupants of said residential units must be (a) persons 62 years of age or older; (b) married couples either of which is 62 years of age or older; or (c) handicapped persons under 62 years of age who have physical impairments which are expected to be of long-continued or indefinite duration, and which substantially impede the ability of such person to live independently.
- Enclosed perimeter for floor area50 pct
Floor space in open or roofed terraces, exterior balconies, breezeways, or porches, if more than 50 percent of the perimeter of such terrace, balcony, breezeway or porch is enclosed.
- Fall zone radius
That area within a prescribed radius (equal to the height of the tower) as measured from the base of a tower.
- Group homeGroup homeA dwelling shared by unrelated residents receiving supervision or care. occupancy limit8 persons
A residential facility in which no more than eight individuals with mental illness, intellectual disability, or developmental disabilities reside, with one or more resident counselors or other staff persons, shall be considered for all purposes residential occupancy by a single-household.
- Group homeGroup homeA dwelling shared by unrelated residents receiving supervision or care. occupancy limit (aged/infirm/disabled)4 persons
A residential facility, in which no more than four aged, infirm or physically disabled persons reside, with one or more resident counselors or other staff persons, shall be considered for all purposes residential occupancy by a single-household.
- Household definition3 unrelated individuals
The occupants of a single dwelling unit, which shall not exceed three unrelated individuals unless otherwise permitted by this Zoning Ordinance.
- Large farm animal weight threshold50 lbs
An animal with an adult weight of 50 pounds or more that may be kept for agricultural purposes, including, but not limited to horses, cattle, goats, llamas, alpacas, ostriches, emus, ponies and bison, but not including dogs.
- Large scale retail threshold75,000 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Retail establishments having a cumulative gross floor area of 75,000 square feet or greater in floor area, whether such gross floor area is contained entirely within a freestanding building or is within two or more buildings, whether located on a single lot or contiguous lots owned or operated as associated, integrated or cooperative business enterprises.
- Maximum accessoryAccessory useA secondary activity customarily incidental to the main use of the lot — a garage, a home office. junk yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. area100 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
this definition shall not apply to any such use conducted solely as an accessory use and occupying not more than 100 square feet of the area of any lot other than any portion of that half thereof that adjoins any street.
- Maximum children for family day home12 children
A child day program offered in the residence of the provider or the home of any of the children in care for one through 12 children under the age of 13, exclusive of the provider's own children and any children who reside in the home, when at least one child receives care for compensation and meets the requirements of Article 63.2-100 of the Code of Virginia.
- Maximum home occupationHome occupationA business run from a dwelling, permitted so long as it stays subordinate to living there. area25 pct
Occupies not more than 25 percent of the total floor area of such dwelling unit, and in no event more than 500 square feet of floor area.
- Maximum home occupationHome occupationA business run from a dwelling, permitted so long as it stays subordinate to living there. area500 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Occupies not more than 25 percent of the total floor area of such dwelling unit, and in no event more than 500 square feet of floor area.
- Maximum persons per room for bed and breakfastBed and breakfastAn owner-occupied dwelling letting a limited number of guest rooms.4 persons
A dwelling, occupied as such, in which sleeping accommodations in less than six rooms with not more than four persons per room are provided or offered for transient guests for compensation, under the management of the occupants of that dwelling for dwelling purposes.
- Maximum retail display area10 pct
Display rooms for retail sales shall not exceed ten percent of the gross floor area of the tenant space.
- Maximum rooms for bed and breakfastBed and breakfastAn owner-occupied dwelling letting a limited number of guest rooms.6 rooms
A dwelling, occupied as such, in which sleeping accommodations in less than six rooms with not more than four persons per room are provided or offered for transient guests for compensation, under the management of the occupants of that dwelling for dwelling purposes.
- Maximum tenant occupancy48 months
A tenant shall not be allowed to occupy the facility for more than 48 months.
- Maximum vehicles for automobile graveyard5 vehicles
Any lot or place which is exposed to the weather and upon which more than five motor vehicles of any kind that are incapable of being operated and which it would not be economically practical to make operative, are placed, located or found.
- Minimum guest rooms for hotel5 rooms
A building or part thereof containing five or more guest rooms, without kitchens, where lodging is provided for compensation, excluding a fraternity or sorority house, a school or college dormitory, or a tourist home.
- Minimum loading berth length35 ft
A space measuring at least ten feet wide by 35 feet long that is used for the loading or unloading of vehicles.
- Minimum loading berth width10 ft
A space measuring at least ten feet wide by 35 feet long that is used for the loading or unloading of vehicles.
- Minimum tenant spaces6 spaces
It shall contain uses authorized in the applicable zoning district under one roof with a minimum of six tenant spaces.
Signage
- Changeable copy sign interval6 sec
Copy may not change more than once every six seconds.
- Flashing sign definition6 sec
Signs that display an on-premise message changed by electronic means or remote control, programmed or sequenced to change no more than once every six seconds shall not be considered a flashing sign.
- Minimum sign heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.10 ft
In no instance shall the sign structure be required to be less than ten feet in height, except as otherwise specifically required by the Zoning Ordinance.
From the ordinance
Dwelling, multi-household for the elderly: ... all occupants of said residential units must be (a) persons 62 years of age or older; (b) married couples either of which is 62 years of age or older; or (c) handicapped persons under 62 years of age...