Primary zoning districts are established as follows:

Overlay and special districts are established in Article V.

AFOS - Agricultural, Forestal, and Open Space District. The purpose of the AFOS - Agricultural, Forestal, and Open Space District is to preserve the rural character of areas where agricultural, forestry, and other low intensity uses predominate. The District also provides open space and agricultural production uses that enhance the physical resources of the Town and provide recreational opportunities for residents.

R-1 - Low-Density Residential District. The purpose of the R-1 - Low-Density Residential District is to provide appropriate areas for low-density, single-family development. The District is designed to preserve the character of existing residential areas, to encourage new residential development in accordance with modern subdivision standards, to protect single-family areas from encroachment by potentially incompatible commercial land uses and other higher density development, and to maintain an appropriate density of development. The R-1 District is also intended to accommodate limited nonresidential uses necessary to meet the recreational, educational, cultural, and public service needs of a residential community.

R-2 - Medium-Density Residential. The purpose of the R-2 - Medium-Density Residential district is to encompass medium-density residential areas, both existing and planned, as well as certain compatible public and semipublic land uses. This District should provide a suitable environment for a mix of housing types located in closer proximity to shopping and employment centers.

R-3 - High-Density Residential. The purpose of the R-3 - High-Density Residential district is to encourage diversity in housing opportunities at higher densities, as well as certain compatible public and semipublic land uses. This District should provide a high-quality residential environment in areas that have excellent transportation access and are well-served by public water and sewer utilities.

R-4 - Mixed Residential. The purpose of the R-4 - Mixed Residential District is to encourage and accommodate diversity in housing type, size, and density, as well as certain compatible public, semipublic, and commercial land uses. This District should provide a high-quality residential environment with limited neighborhood services in areas that have excellent transportation access and are well-served by public water and sewer utilities.

R-5 - Mixed High-Density Residential. The purpose of the R-5 - Mixed High-Density Residential District is to encourage and accommodate diversity in housing type and size, with greater density allowances, as well as certain compatible public, semipublic, and commercial land uses. Focusing emphasis on small lot sizes and townhouse developments.

OI - Office and Institutional. The purpose of the OI - Office and Institutional District is to provide office development with limited residential and institutional uses in a walkable and attractive setting. Development in the District is highly accessible for residents and employees and contributes to the unique look and character of Abingdon.

B-1 - Limited Business. The purpose of the Limited Business District is to accommodate low-intensity retail, personal service, and office uses that are compatible with adjacent residential areas and provide for the convenience and day-to-day needs of residents of nearby neighborhoods. The District is intended to encourage small concentrations of business uses as opposed to strip commercial development.

B-2 - General Business. The purpose of the General Business District is to accommodate a wide range of retail, wholesale, service, and office uses that cater to the traveling public and serve the Town and the surrounding region. The District is designed to provide highly attractive and accessible shopping along principal highways, while avoiding the routing of traffic onto minor streets or through residential areas.

B-3 - Central Business. The purpose of the Central Business District is to extend the architecture and feel of the historic downtown beyond the Old and Historic core and encourage building rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, and infill development that fits the scale, design, and character of the area. Land uses should include a mix of retail, office, service, entertainment, and hotel uses as well as introduce and expand upper-story residential uses that contribute to the activity and vitality of the area.

M-1 - Limited Industrial. The purpose of the Limited Industrial District is to encourage research facilities, wholesale, warehousing, light industrial, and heavy commercial activities within completely enclosed buildings or screened areas. The activities within this District involve minimal hazards and do not create significant amounts of smoke, noise, odor, dust, or other potential nuisance.

The height limitations of this chapter shall not apply to:

In the AFOS District, OI District, and all residential districts:

Parapet walls may be up to four feet above the height of the building on which the walls rest.

Fences, walls, or landscaping shall be permitted in any required yard subject to the standards of Article VIII of this chapter.

Bay windows, chimneys, eaves, cornices, windowsills, belt courses, and similar architectural features may project into any required yard a distance not to exceed two feet.

Open and uncovered porches, stairs, or ramps may project beyond the front building line or into a required side or rear yard a distance not to exceed five feet.

Driveways shall be permitted in required yards but shall be three feet or more from any property line except where such driveways are developed jointly as a common drive to adjoining lots.

Flagpoles not to exceed 25 feet in height.

Heat pumps, central air-conditioning units, generators and similar mechanical equipment may project to a distance not to exceed five feet into a required side or rear yard.

Residential accessory structures less than 10 feet in height including, but not limited to, recreational equipment, clotheslines, arbors, swings, or residential yard ornaments may project into a required yard provided that such equipment does not reduce the width of the yard to less than five feet.