Amelia County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VI
A-5 Agricultural District
§ 325-6.1 Intent.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
This district is intended to preserve and enhance the character and resources of the rural portions of the County where agriculture and forest use predominate, but which may also contain some or limited non-farm uses, particularly dwellings in an attractive rural environment. The district provides for large-scale, intensive livestock and poultry operations and tries to protect them from encroachment by uses that are not compatible with them. Since agricultural and silvicultural activities are an important element of the County's economic base, and since the normal operation of these uses tends to produce some noise, odors and other effects, a certain level of tolerance for these effects is to be expected by those who choose to live in this district. Residential development will not be encouraged in this district. However, the County will attempt to create a level of compatibility between dwellings and certain other non-farm uses and those intensive agriculture confinement uses which will be given preference in this district.
§ 325-6.2 Permitted uses.
[Amended 3-19-1997; 12-17-2003; 2-21-2008; 10-20-2010; 4-15-2015; 11-19-2025]
A.
Accessory structures and uses.
A1.
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
B.
Agriculture, general.
C.
Agriculture, intensive.
D.
Agriculture, intensive, expansion of.
E.
Agriculture, limited (on less than 10 acres), excluding horses.
F.
Antique shops.
G.
Assembly hall.
H.
Bed-and-breakfast.
I.
Beekeeping.
J.
Bulk animal manure/waste storage.
K.
Cemeteries.
L.
Custom meat cutting.
M.
Day-care center and nursery.
N.
End user animal manure/waste storage.
O.
Family division.
P.
Home day care.
Q.
Home occupation.
R.
Large lot division.
S.
Mobile home, double-wide.
T.
Mobile home, single-wide.
U.
Off-street parking.
V.
Parks and playgrounds.
W.
Portable sawmills and chippers.
X.
Preserve and conservation areas.
Y.
Public utilities (extension).
Z.
Schools, churches, libraries.
AA.
Single cut subdivision.
BB.
Single-family dwelling.
CC.
Temporary family health care structure.
DD.
Wayside stand.
EE.
Wireless support structures up to 80 feet.
§ 325-6.3 Permitted uses by special exception.
[Amended 4-6-1997; 5-16-2001; 4-15-2009; 11-17-2010; 2-21-2018; 9-18-2019; 2-17-2021 by Ord. No. 21-001; 4-20-2022 by Ord. No. 22-002; 3-15-2023 by Ord. No. 23-01; 11-19-2025]
A.
Abattoirs
B.
Adult-care facility.
C.
Agricultural resource reclamation facility.
D.
Airport and private air strip.
E.
Amusement park/commercial recreational facility.
F.
Auction barn.
G.
Blacksmith shop.
H.
Cabinet and furniture making.
I.
Campgrounds.
J.
Congregate living facility.
K.
Country general store/convenience store.
L.
(Reserved)
M.
Dog kennel.
N.
Farm machinery sales and service.
O.
Feed and flour mills.
P.
Feed and seed stores.
Q.
Golf driving range.
R.
Greenhouse and nursery.
S.
Hunt, golf or boat clubs and lodges.
T.
Mining of minerals other than coal.
U.
Mulch yard.
V.
Public utilities (new).
W.
Pulpwood yard.
X.
Restaurants.
Y.
Sand excavation.
Z.
Service and repair of farm, yard, garden, blacksmith and logging implements and equipment.
AA.
Solar energy system, utility-scale.
BB.
Stationary sawmill and chipper.
CC.
Turkey shoots.
DD.
Veterinary clinic/hospital.
EE.
Wholesale business/storage warehouse.
FF.
Wireless support structures in excess of 80 feet.
§ 325-6.4 Accessory uses.
§ 325-6.6 Building height.
[Amended 5-17-2006]
Thirty-five feet, except:
A.
The height limit for dwellings may be increased up to 45 feet and up to three stories, provided there are two side yards for each permitted use, each of which is 20 feet or more, plus one foot or more of side yard for each additional foot of building height over 35 feet.
B.
A public or semipublic building such as a school, church, or library may be erected to a height of 60 feet from grade, provided that required front, side and rear yards shall be increased one foot for each foot of building height over 35 feet.
C.
Church spires, belfries, cupolas, monuments, silos, barns, water towers, chimneys, flues, flagpoles, and wireless support structures are exempt. Parapet wall may be up to four feet above the height of the building on which the walls rest.
[Amended 2-21-2018]
D.
No accessory building which is less than 20 feet from any lot line shall be more than one story high.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
E.
All accessory buildings shall be less than the main building in height except when located on a parcel of 10 acres or more.