This district is intended for moderate density single-family and two-family residential uses, plus certain open areas where similar development appears likely to occur. The regulations for this district are designed to stabilize and project the essential characteristics of the district and to promote and encourage, insofar as compatible with the intensity of land use, a suitable environment for family life. This district is predominantly residential in character, but certain public and semi-public uses shall be included to serve the residents of the district.

(Code 1972, § 30-38; Code 1992, § 30-38; Ord. No. 2004-4, 9-7-2004)

In the R-2 Two-Family Residential District, structures to be erected, or land to be used, shall be for one or more of the following uses:

(1)

Single-family dwellings, including a family and up to two unrelated individuals per unit; two-family dwellings, including a family and up to two unrelated individuals per unit.

(2)

Public buildings to consist of fire, police and rescue squad stations, schools, recreational facilities and libraries. Private buildings to consist of schools, recreational facilities and libraries, with a conditional use permit.

(3)

Parks and playgrounds.

(4)

Minor home occupations. Major home occupations with a conditional use permit.

(5)

Family day homes serving one through five children. Family day homes serving six through 12 children, with a conditional use permit.

(6)

Assisted living facilities and group homes of eight of fewer individuals, as exempted by Code of Virginia, § 15.2-2291.

(7)

Off-street parking and loading.

(8)

Signs in accordance with the sign ordinance in article XXIV, signs.

(9)

Public utilities such as poles, lines, distribution transformers, pipes, meters and other facilities necessary for the provision and maintenance of public utilities, including water and sewerage facilities; pumping and regulatory stations; substations; communications antennas; amateur radio towers. Communications monopoles with a conditional use permit.

(10)

Accessory buildings; provided, that garages or other accessory structures, such as carports, porches and stoops attached to the main building, shall be considered part of the main building; provided further, that no accessory building shall be closer than three feet to any property line or located within any easement or right-of-way.

(11)

Adult home day care, with a conditional use permit.

(12)

Churches and other places of worship.

(13)

Construction trailers on active construction sites.

(14)

Child day care centers, with a conditional use permit.

(15)

Planned housing developments consisting of detached single-family residences and/or duplexes, including a family and up to two unrelated individuals per unit, subject to special regulations of section 42-227 with a conditional use permit.

(16)

Portable storage containers, in accordance with section 42-662.

(17)

Bed and breakfast inns with a conditional use permit.

(18)

Urban agriculture in accordance with section 42-663.

(Code 1972, § 30-39; Code 1992, § 30-39; Ord. of 6-20-1989; Ord. of 10-24-1989; Ord. of 4-3-1990; Ord. of 12-17-1991(1); Ord. of 6-2-1998; Ord. of 4-20-1999; Ord. of 12-7-1999; Ord. No. 2000-2, 4-18-2000; Ord. No. 2004-4, 9-7-2004; Ord. No. 2007-1, 4-3-2007; Ord. No. 2008-5, 12-2-2008; Ord. No. 2008-6, 12-220-08; Ord. No. 2012-6, § 30-39, 6-19-2012; Ord. No. 2012-10, § 30-39, 11-20-2012; Ord. No. 2016-1, 2-23-2016; Ord. No. 2017-7, 9-12-2017)

(a)

The minimum lot area for a single-family dwelling shall be 10,000 square feet.

(b)

The minimum lot area for a two-family dwelling and other permitted uses shall be 12,500 square feet.

(Code 1972, § 30-40; Code 1992, § 30-40)

Structures shall be located 30 feet or more from any street right-of-way, or, in the event that buildings are already constructed on the same side of the street in the same block, no new structure shall be closer to the street right-of-way line than a distance equal to the average of the distance to the street right-of-way of all existing structures in the same block on the same side of the street. This shall be known as the setback line. See article XVII for special setback regulations pertaining to the widening of highways and streets. See section 42-15 for special regulations pertaining to structural projections into the minimum required setback. Parking lots shall have a minimum setback of 15 feet from any street right-of-way.

(Code 1972, § 30-41; Code 1992, § 30-41; Ord. No. 2002-2, 3-5-2002; Ord. No. 2020-4, 1-12-2021)

(a)

The minimum lot width at the setback line and the street line shall be 80 feet for a single-family dwelling and 100 feet for a two-family dwelling and other permitted uses.

(b)

All structures in this district shall be located on the lot with the front of the structure facing the front lot line.

(c)

The full facades of individual units within a two-family dwelling shall be varied by changed front yard setbacks. Variation in setback shall be at least three feet.

(Code 1972, § 30-42; Code 1992, § 30-42; Ord. No. 2012-6, § 30-42, 6-19-2012; Ord. No. 2015-1, 4-28-2015)

(a)

The minimum side yard for each main structure shall be a minimum of ten feet or side lot line easement width, whichever is greater.

(b)

Each main structure shall have a rear yard of 25 feet or more.

(c)

Accessory structures shall have a side and rear yard of three feet or more.

(d)

The front yard shall contain a minimum of 20 percent greenspace or landscaped area. For duplexes for individual sale, the greenspace or landscaped area in the front yard shall be maintained at a ratio of 20 percent for each dwelling unit on each lot. For this purpose, corner lots shall be deemed to contain a minimum of 20 percent greenspace or landscaped area in each yard fronting a public street.

(e)

Sidewalks and curb and gutter shall be required on both sides of the public streets for all new streets. In lieu of sidewalks and curb and gutter, an owner or developer shall provide a paved multi-use trail a minimum of ten feet in width connecting to the street right-of-way adjoining other properties and to each lot within the development by a hard surface connection.

(f)

Handicap ramps shall be allowed to encroach in all yards if the following criteria are met:

(1)

The encroachment by the ramp must be the minimum necessary to accomplish safe access;

(2)

The ramp must meet the current edition of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and the Town of Christiansburg Code; and

(3)

The minimum size of a building entry landing associated with the ramp shall meet Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code requirements. The maximum building entry landing size shall be six feet by six feet.

(g)

Structural projections into minimum required yards shall be permitted in accordance with section 42-15.

(Code 1972, § 30-43; Code 1992, § 30-43; Ord. of 6-20-1989; Ord. No. 2002-2, 3-5-2002; Ord. No. 2007-1, 4-3-2007; Ord. No. 2010-9, 12-21-2010; Ord. No. 2012-6, § 30-43, 6-19-2012; Ord. No. 2015-1, 4-28-2015; Ord. No. 2020-4, 1-12-2021)

Buildings may be erected up to 35 feet in height from street grade or lot grade at setback line, whichever is greater; except, that:

(1)

A public or semi-public building, such as a school or church, 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 in height over 35 feet.

(2)

Church spires, belfries, cupolas, monuments, water towers, chimneys, flues and flagpoles shall be exempt from this section.

(3)

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

(4)

No accessory building which is within 20 feet of any property line shall be more than one story high.

(5)

Accessory buildings shall not exceed the main structure in height, except that when the accessory building is located at a lower ground elevation, then the elevation of the roofline of the accessory building shall not be higher than the elevation of the roofline of the main structure, but not to exceed two stories in height.

(Code 1972, § 30-44; Code 1992, § 30-44; Ord. of 12-17-1991(2))

The following special provisions shall apply to corner lots:

(1)

Of the two sides of a corner lot, the front shall be deemed to be the shorter of the two sides fronting on streets.

(2)

The side yard on the side facing the side street shall be 30 feet or more for both main and accessory buildings, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

(3)

For subdivisions platted after the enactment of this chapter, each corner lot shall have a minimum width at the setback line and the street line measured to the Pi of a radius where a radius exists of 125 feet.

(Code 1972, § 30-45; Code 1992, § 30-45; Ord. of 11-20-1987, § (a); Ord. No. 2020-4, 1-12-2021)

The purpose of this section is to allow for single unit ownership of either unit of a two-family dwelling which has a common vertical wall separating the two units.

(1)

Area. Minimum lot area for two-family structures shall be 12,500 square feet with each single dwelling unit having a lot area of at least 6,250 square feet.

(2)

Setback. Same as for other buildings.

(3)

Frontage. Same as for other buildings, except that the minimum lot width at the street line and at the setback line for each single unit of a two-family dwelling shall be 50 feet.

(4)

Yards. Same as for other buildings, except that for two-family dwellings in which either single unit is individually owned there shall be no side yard setback required on the interior or common property line. Exterior side yard setback shall be based upon the width of the lot frontage for the entire two-unit structure.

(Code 1972, § 30-46; Code 1992, § 30-46; Ord. of 6-20-1989)