Richmond

Minimum lot area requirements set forth in this chapter for two-family dwellings shall not apply to the conversion of any lawful existing multifamily dwelling to a two-family dwelling.

A single lot of record, developed with two or more dwelling units existing on October 24, 2005, may be divided into two or more lots for purposes of establishing single-family detached, single-family attached, two-family or multifamily dwellings on individual lots, when the lots created by such division cannot meet applicable lot area, lot width, usable open space, lot coverage or yard requirements. Such division shall be permitted, provided that all of the following conditions are met: (1) The property subject to the division shall be located in a district where the dwellings on the lots created by the division are permitted principal uses. (2) All new lots shall comply with Section 30-610.1 regarding public street frontage and access to lots. (3) The division shall result in at least one main building being located on each lot, and lot area, lot width and yards shall be allocated to the newly created lots on a basis reasonably proportional to the buildings and uses contained on each lot as determined by the Zoning Administrator. (4) The division shall not result in the creation of any new vacant lot or additional dwelling units that would not have otherwise been permitted prior to the division. (5) Applicable requirements of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code shall be met. (6) The division shall comply with the applicable requirements of Chapter 25 regarding the subdivision of land.

on a corner lot on which side yards are required there shall be a street side yard of not less than ten feet along all other street frontages

Except as provided in Section 30-620.1(c) and (d), on a corner lot in a zoning district where a front yard is required there shall be a front yard along at least one street frontage, and on a corner lot on which side yards are required there shall be a street side yard of not less than ten feet along all other street frontages, provided that: (1) There shall be a front yard along any street frontage adjacent to or across an alley from a side lot line of another lot located in any district in which a front yard is required. (2) There shall be a front yard along any street frontage opposite the architectural front of any dwelling use located on the lot. (3) In the R-6, R-7, and R-8 districts, no street side yard shall be required for single- or two-family dwellings.

On a lot having frontage on more than one street, a front yard shall be required along each street frontage... Where 50 percent or more of the frontage on one side of a street between two intersecting streets is occupied by main buildings, and the average depth of the front yards of such buildings is less than the required front yard depth for the district in which the lot is located, the required front yard depth for a new main building on such frontage shall be the average depth of the front yards of the existing main buildings on such frontage, but in no case less than 15 feet.

Except in the R-8 district, a building or addition thereto erected within 100 feet of an existing main building adjacent on each side thereof shall have a front yard as required by the following: (1) On any lot on which a front yard is required and where one or both adjacent buildings have a nonconforming front yard, a building or addition thereto erected on such lot shall have a front yard with a minimum depth of not less than the average depth of the front yards of the adjacent buildings. (2) On any lot in an R or RO district where the adjacent buildings have front yards greater than or equal to that required by the district regulations, a building or addition thereto erected on such lot may project in front of an adjacent building not more than one foot for each four feet of distance between the newly erected building or addition and the adjacent building or may have a front yard with a minimum depth of not less than the average depth of the front yards of the adjacent buildings, whichever is the least restrictive.

the minimum front yard on that part of the block within 100 feet of the R or RO district shall be the front yard required in the R or RO district or the existing front yard of the R or RO property adjacent to the district boundary, whichever is less.

In any B or M district, a front yard of not less than 25 feet shall be provided along any street frontage that is adjacent to an R or RO district, unless a greater front yard is required by the district regulations.

Where a block is located partly in an R or RO district and partly in a district in which no front yard is normally required, the minimum front yard on that part of the block within 100 feet of the R or RO district shall be the front yard required in the R or RO district or the existing front yard of the R or RO property adjacent to the district boundary, whichever is less.

For attached dwellings, no side yard shall be required between attached units, provided that a side yard of not less than 10 feet shall be provided at each end of a series of attached units, except that in the R-7, R-8, and R-63 districts, the side yard at each end of a series of attached units shall be not less than 5 feet.

In the case of single-family and two-family attached dwellings, no side yard shall be required along a lot line in common to two attached dwellings where, for purposes of providing setback variations among attached dwelling units, one dwelling is offset forward of or to the rear of the dwelling to which it is attached, provided that such offset does not exceed five feet at the front of the dwellings or ten feet at the rear of the dwellings, and provided further that applicable requirements of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code are met.

For the purposes of this chapter, a swimming pool shall be considered an accessory structure and shall be subject to the yard requirements applicable to accessory structures in the district in which the pool is located, except that no swimming pool shall be located closer than 10 feet to any lot line.

All yard requirements set forth in this chapter for accessory buildings or structures shall be applicable to in-ground and aboveground swimming pools.

The following projections and encroachments shall be permitted in required yards and courts: (a) Architectural features may project not more than 24 inches. (b) Chimneys, flues, and vents may project not more than 24 inches. (c) Open porches and decks may project not more than 10 feet into a required front yard. (d) Enclosed porches and decks shall be considered part of the main building. (e) Steps and landings may project not more than 4 feet. (f) Accessibility ramps may project. (g) Air conditioning units may project not more than 24 inches into a required side or rear yard.

Sills, siding, belt courses, eaves, gutters, normal roof overhangs, chimneys, pilasters and similar architectural features may project into any required yard or court. Bay windows elevated not less than 18 inches above the adjacent finished floor level may project not more than two feet. Fences and walls not exceeding 6½ feet in height may be located within any required side or rear yard. Fences and walls located within required front yards shall not exceed four feet in height, except that in the R-1 district they may not exceed 6½ feet. In the R-63 district, no fence or wall located within any front yard shall exceed four feet in height. An additional 1½ feet of height shall be permitted for posts, columns and gates. Open or enclosed fire escapes and outside stairways required by law may project into required yards a distance of not more than four feet. Unenclosed porches, balconies and steps may project into required front yards a distance of not more than ten feet, except that in the R-8 district such projection shall not exceed five feet. An enclosed vestibule containing not more than 40 square feet in area may project into a required front yard a distance of not more than four feet. Open balconies and uncovered porches may project into required side and rear yards a distance not to exceed 20 percent of the required width. Handrails and guardrails, not exceeding 42 inches in height, shall be exempt. Building-mounted solar energy systems not exceeding 12 inches in height may project.

Fences and walls not exceeding 6½ feet in height may be located within any required side or rear yard or court. Fences and walls located within required front yards shall not exceed four feet in height, except that in the R-1 district they may not exceed 6½ feet.

Unenclosed porches, balconies and steps may project into required front yards a distance of not more than ten feet, except that in the R-8 district such projection shall not exceed five feet.

Open balconies and uncovered porches may project into required side and rear yards and required courts a distance not to exceed 20 percent of the required width of such yard or court.

Handrails and guardrails, not exceeding 42 inches in height, provided for decks, porches, balconies and stairs shall be exempt from all yard requirements and related height and encroachment limitations imposed by this chapter.

Building-mounted solar energy systems not exceeding 12 inches in height from the exterior of the surface of the roof may project into a required yard or court to an extent no greater than the existing roof structure.