Chesterfield County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code

1. A.
   Applicability. Section 19.2-29 (Table 19.2-29.1) establishes the principal uses permitted (by right, by conditional use, by special exception, or as a restricted use) in the County's zoning Districts. Section 19.2-31 (Table 19.2-31.1) establishes the accessory uses permitted (by right, by conditional use, by special exception, or as a restricted use) in the County's Zoning Districts.
2. B.
   Organization of the Principal Use Matrix and Accessory Use Matrix. The Principal Use Matrix (Table 19.2-29.1 in Sec. 19.2-29) organizes the principal uses in each Zoning District by Use Classifications, Use Categories, and specific principal uses. The Accessory Use Matrix (Table 19.2-31.1 in Sec. 19.2-31) organizes the accessory uses in each Zoning District by Use Classifications, Use Categories, and specific accessory uses.

   1. 1.
      Use Classifications. The Use Classifications are identified by the indigo shaded rows in the Use Matrix. The Use Classifications organize Uses into broad general classifications (e.g., Residential, Commercial and Office, etc.).
   2. 2.
      Use Categories. Use Classifications are further divided into Use Categories (the periwinkle shaded rows in each use table). The Use Categories describe the major sub-groups of the Use Classification. For example, the Residential Use Classification is divided into two major Use Categories: Household Living, and Group Living and Care.  
   3. 3.
      Uses. The Use Classifications or Use Categories are then divided into specific Uses (the white rows in each use table). For example, single-family detached dwellings, multi-family dwellings, and live/work dwellings are Uses in the Household Living Use Category.
3. C.
   Use Permissions. Both the Principal Use Matrix and the Accessory Use Matrix establishes the following use permissions:

4. D.
   Accessory Uses. Accessory uses and their guidelines can be found in the Accessory Use Matrix (Sec. 19.2-31) and Accessory Use Restrictions (Sec. 19.2-32).

   1. 1.
      Accessory uses that are permitted by right or with restrictions as an accessory use may be permitted as a principal use through the Conditional Use process.
   2. 2.
      Unless otherwise provided in the Accessory Use Matrix, accessory uses and accessory structures are permitted in any zoning district, only if they are:

      1. a.
         Established with written permission from the property owner or in connection with, and incidental to, a principal use or structure;
      2. b.
         The principal use or structure is lawfully permitted within that district; and
      3. c.
         The principal use or structure is located on the same lot or zoning lot.
   3. 3.
      Accessory structures or uses shall not be constructed or established on a lot until construction of the principal building is completed or the principal use is established. Accessory buildings shall not be used for dwelling purposes, except as provided in section 19.2-32-15.
5. E.

   Uses Not Enumerated.

   1. 1.

      Conditional Uses. Uses that are not enumerated which have the same general character as those uses allowed by right or with restrictions in the respective Zoning District may be allowed by Conditional Use if the Director of Planning makes a finding that the proposed use's operating characteristics are substantially similar to, and its impact on neighboring properties no greater than, the operating characteristics and impacts of the specifically enumerated uses allowed by right or with restrictions in the district. For a conditional use, the Director of Planning's findings shall be based upon the following considerations for the proposed use: the size and proposed configuration of the site; the size, height and exterior architectural appearance of any proposed structure(s); noise; light; glare; odors; dust; outdoor activities; traffic; parking; signage; and hours of operation.  

   2. 2.
      Accessory Uses. In each Zoning District, accessory uses, buildings, and structures which are not otherwise listed in the Accessory Use Matrix and which are customarily accessory and incidental to the principal use, building, or structure shall be permitted, as determined by the Director of Planning. 
   3. 3.
      Equivalent Uses. If a proposed use is not identified in the Use Matrix, the Director of Planning may determine whether that use falls within the definition of an identified principal or accessory use. In determining whether the proposed use falls within the definitions of an identified use, the Director of Planning may refer to:

      1. a.
         The most recent edition of Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary.
      2. b.
         If a proposed use is not defined in Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, the North American Industry Classification Manual (Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, 2017) (“NAICS”). If the proposed use is not defined in the NAICS, the American Planning Association, Land-Based Classification Standards LBCS Tables (April 1, 2001).
      3. c.
         If the Director of Planning determines that an unlisted proposed use does not fall within the definition of a use identified and defined in this Chapter, the use is not permitted unless the Director of Planning determines that the use may be approved as a conditional use or special exception, as provided in Subsection E.1 above. 
6. F.
   Special Limitations for Specific Uses. The following uses shall be subject to the limitations as specified.

   1. 1.
      Prohibited Uses. In the RC, SR, SC, SU, TR, UR, NB, and MU Districts, a shipping container, manufactured home, trailer, vehicle body, or similar container shall not be used for a dwelling, garage, storage building, boathouse, or other accessory use, except as otherwise specified in this Chapter. Government Buildings are exempt from this requirement.
   2. 2.
      Above Ground Storage Tanks. For any gas station, fueling facility, automobile repair and motor vehicle sales, repair, rental, and leasing, tractor trailer sales, repair, rental, and leasing, or truck stop use containing above ground storage tanks used for fuels or hazardous chemicals, such tanks shall be set back at least 200 feet from any property line of a residential use, school, playground, church, hospital, library or institutional building, or other assembly use.
   3. 3.
      Manufactured Home, Temporary. Temporary manufactured home permits may be granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals for a time period not to exceed seven years, and with or without conditions, under any one of the following circumstances:

      1. a.
         Any temporary manufactured home with a valid permit in any zoning district approved prior to January 1, 2026.
      2. b.
         In an A, RC, SR, SC, SU, or AR District when the principal residence has been rendered uninhabitable by fire or Act of God.
      3. c.
         In the CC, EC, EG, or WD Districts, if a manufactured home has been legally on the property within the past six months. 

 (ZO-2025-002, Relative to Auto Sales, Required Utility Connections, and Site Plans, adopted 12/15/2025, effective 12/30/2025; ZO-2026-001, Relative to Self Storage, adopted 05/27/2026, effective 05/27/2026)

Purpose: This Article identifies and establishes standards for individual uses to:

• Clarify particular locational, bulk, density, and design issues relating to the use;
• Mitigate impacts typically associated with the use;
• Ensure that uses are compatible with other uses in the zoning district or vicinity; and
• Address any particular requirements or limitations on regulations established by state or federal law.

1. A.
   Applicability. This Article establishes regulations for the uses identified in each Section heading of the Article. These regulations supplement the regulations in Article 2 (Zoning Districts) and Article 4 (Development Standards). The uses subject to this Article are subject to:

   1. 1.
      The restrictions in this Article;
   2. 2.
      All applicable regulations in Article 2 and Article 4 unless and to the extent that those restrictions are modified by this Article; and
   3. 3.
      All applicable processes required by Article 5, unless and to the extent that this Article modifies or establishes a different process.
2. B.
   Restricted Uses. This Article establishes restrictions for uses that are identified as “Permitted with Restrictions” in the Principal Use Matrix (Section 19.2-29).
3. C.
   Conditions. Any use regulated by this Article is subject to the terms and specifications of this Article, in addition to other or more stringent requirements imposed or proffered as a condition of any required rezoning, conditional use, or special exception approval.
4. D.

   Distances. Some restrictions in this Chapter require minimum distances or setbacks from other uses, zoning districts, or other areas ("sensitive areas").  The required distances are measured by extending a straight line from the nearest property line (not the lease line) of the restricted use to the nearest zoning district boundary or property line (as applicable).