Land Use Administration
To promote orderly development, every parcel within the City has a zoning
designation that governs its use. These uses are defined in the official
zoning ordinance
supported by the official zoning map.
The Land Use Administration Division processes required applications for by-right development. Land Use Administration staff
is the point-of-contact for these applications and coordinates their review with other City agencies that may be impacted
by the development proposals. These applications include :
- Plan of Development (POD) Certain uses and features permitted in certain districts
require a Plan of Development to be approved by the Director of Community Development prior
to the issuance of any building permits for such use.
- Wireless Plan of Development (POD) A POD is required for any new construction, conversion,
enlargement, co-location, or reconstruction of an existing structure for a wireless communication
facility.
- Subdivision (Preliminary & Final) A Preliminary & Final Subdivision Application are required from
anyone who wants to divide, subdivide, or re-subdivide a parcel of land within the corporate limits
of the City for the purpose of transferring ownership of any one or more of such parcels, or for the
purpose of the erection of buildings or other structures on any one or more of such parcels.
In some instances, the zoning regulations in a given district are not conducive to the proposed or existing development
in the area. In instances where the underlying zoning regulations cannot be met, there are a number of traditional
methods of providing relief from zoning regulations. The Land Use Administration Division provides advice and analysis
for proposed developments that may not be permitted by current underlying zoning regulations. Land Use Administration
works with property owners or developers and the affected neighborhood associations to ensure that the proposed development
meets the goals found in the City's Master Plan and
the City's Downtown Plan. Land Use Administration
also works with the City Planning Commission and the
City Council to ensure that the conditions for granting
approval are met.
The following is a list of Land Use Applications that the City Council is authorized to use to provide relief from the underlying
zoning regulations after receiving a recomendation from the City Planning Commision :
- Conditional Use Permits This is a process by which a specific use is listed as permitted within a zoning
district, but still must be reviewed by City Council to determine if the requirements and criteria specified
in the ordinance are met.
- Community Unit Plan (CUP) The City Charter specifically authorizes the use of this process for the
development of sites containing 10 or more acres in a way that does not comply with underlying zoning, subject
to the approval of an ordinance, which outlines the general character and density of the proposed development.
- Rezonings This involves the changing of the zoning designation applicable to particular properties.
Once rezoned, a property may be used pursuant to the regulations applicable in the district without any further
restrictions.
- Conditional Rezonings This involves the changing of the zoning designation applicable to particular properties
subject to certain proffered conditions that are more restrictive than the underlying zoning designation.
- Special Use Permits (SUP) The City of Richmond's version of the special use permit process may authorize
any use at any location subject to specified conditions. This power is unique to Richmond and should not be confused
with the traditional special use permit used in other jurisdictions.
To view information about pending Land Use applications, please review the
Logbook of Pending Land Use Applications.
To view an interactive map of Land Use projects in the City please
click here.
The Land Use Administration Division also provides staff support to the City Planning Commission
by preparing and making recomendations on Land Use Applications and other items referred to the
Commission by City Council, such as the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Budget, street and alley
closings, encroachments, and the acquisition or sale of City property.
The Land Use Administration Division also prepares zoning text amendments and and engages in comprehensive
updates of the Zoning Ordinance, and studies and recommends neighborhood and citywide rezonings.
The hours of operation for the Land Use Administration Division are Monday through
Friday, 8:00am until 5:00pm. For more information, call (804) 646-6304,
email
DCDLanduseadmin@richmondgov.com, or visit room 511 of City Hall.
Land Use Applications may be downloaded, however, applicants are strongly encouraged
to contact the staff of Land Use Administration, at (804) 646-6304, for advice prior to
submitting an application.
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