For the purpose of this chapter, the area of Amelia County, Virginia, is hereby divided into the following districts:

Buildings or structures shall be started, reconstructed, enlarged or altered only after a zoning permit has been obtained from the Zoning Administrator. Each application for a zoning permit shall be accompanied by two copies of a scale drawing. The drawing shall show the size and shape of the parcel of land on which the proposed building is to be constructed, the nature of the proposed use of the building or land, and the location of such building or use with respect to the property lines of said parcel of land and to the right-of-way of any street or highway adjoining said parcel of land. Any other information which the Zoning Administrator may deem necessary for consideration of the application may be required. If the proposed building or use is in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, a permit shall be issued to the applicant by the Administrator. One copy of the drawing shall be returned to the applicant with the permit.

Buildings structurally altered or erected may be occupied or changed in use only after a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the Building Official. Such a permit shall state that the building, or the proposed use, complies with the provisions of this chapter. A similar certificate shall be issued for the purpose of maintaining, renewing, changing, or extending a nonconforming use. A certificate of occupancy, either for the whole or a part of a building, shall be applied for simultaneously with the application for a zoning permit. The certificate of occupancy shall be issued within 10 days after the erection or structural alteration of such building or part thereof has been completed in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.

If, in any district established under this chapter, a use is not specifically permitted and an application is made by a property owner or owners to the Zoning Administrator for such use, the Administrator shall refer the application to the Planning Commission which shall make its recommendation to the governing body within 90 days. If the recommendation of the Planning Commission is approved by the governing body, this chapter shall be amended to list the use as a permitted use in the district, henceforth. Both the Planning Commission and the governing body shall hold a public hearing after advertising in accordance with § 15.2-2204, Code of Virginia 1950, as amended.

Wherever there shall be plans in existence, approved by either the Virginia Department of Transportation or by the governing body, for the widening of any street or highway, the Planning Commission may recommend additional front yard setbacks for any new construction or for any structures altered or remodeled adjacent to the future planned right-of-way in order to preserve and protect the right-of-way for such proposed street or highway widening.

There shall be provided at the time of erection of any main building, or at the time any main building is enlarged or structurally altered and converted to another use, adequate minimum off-street parking spaces as follows:

Should review of any proposal submitted for any zoning district create reasonable doubt as to its compatibility with the general area for which it is proposed or should review clearly demonstrate adverse impact on the general area for which it is proposed, additional zoning requirements may be imposed. Additional requirements must be based as findings of adverse impact.

Unless otherwise provided for in a specific section of this chapter, only one dwelling unit shall be permitted on any single parcel of land.

Prior to a building permit being issued for a residential, commercial or industrial use not serviced by the Amelia County Sanitary System, the Health Department must locate a perk site and design a septic system with a 100% reserve drainfield to minimize future problems due to septic system failures.

For purposes of these regulations, "major recreational equipment" is defined as including boats and boat trailers, travel trailers, pickup campers or coaches (designed to be mounted on automotive vehicles), motorized dwellings, tent trailers, and the like, and cases or boxes used for transporting equipment, whether occupied by such equipment or not. No such equipment shall be used for living, sleeping, or housekeeping purposes when parked or stored on a residential lot.

In the A-5, RP-5, RR-3, R-5, R-3, R-2, R-1, R-MHP and MHS Districts a special exception permit shall be required for any permitted use that exceeds two permitted uses per parcel. School, churches, and libraries are exempt from this requirement.