This Ordinance shall be known as the Zoning Ordinance for Big Stone Gap, Virginia.

This Ordinance shall apply to the incorporated territory of Big Stone Gap, Virginia. It is the intent of this Ordinance that the extent of its applicability to be automatically changed in accordance with the provisions hereof or provision of State Law which may affect the applicability of this Ordinance.

The zoning regulations and districts as herein established have been made in accordance with a comprehensive plan to promote, in accordance with present and future needs, the safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare of the citizens of Big Stone Gap, Virginia, and to provide for efficiency and economy in the process of development, for the appropriate and best use of land, for convenience of traffic and circulation of people and goods, for the appropriate use and occupancy of buildings, for healthful and convenient distribution of population, for protection against overcrowding of land, undue density of population in relation to the community facilities existing or available, fire, flood and other dangers, obstruction of light and air, or destruction of or encroachment upon historic areas, to encourage good civic design and arrangement to facilitate the creation of a convenient, attractive and harmonious community, and for adequate public utilities, public services and facilities, by regulating and limiting or determining the height and bulk of buildings and structures, the area of yards and other open spaces, and the density of use. They have been made with reasonable consideration, among other things, for the existing use and character of property, to the character of the district and its peculiar suitability for particular uses, to trends of growth or change, and with a view to conserving natural resources and the value of land and buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the incorporated territory of Big Stone Gap, Virginia.

In interpreting and applying the provisions of this Ordinance, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public safety, health, convenience, comfort, prosperity, or general welfare. It is not intended by this Ordinance to interfere with, or abrogate or annul any easements, covenants, or other agreement between parties, provided, however, that where this Ordinance imposes a greater restriction upon the use of buildings or premises or upon height of buildings, or requires larger open spaces than are imposed or required by other resolutions, ordinances, rules, regulations, or by easements, covenants, or agreements, the provisions of this Ordinance shall govern. If, because of error or omission in the Zoning District Map, any property in the jurisdiction of this Ordinance is not shown as being a zoning district, the classification of such property shall be classified R-1 Single-Family Residential, until changed by amendment.