It is the intent and purpose of this article to implement the rural area recommendations of the adopted Comprehensive Plan by providing for a transition between prime commercial agriculture, forestal production, open space and conservation uses within the most rural areas of the County and village centers. This transition is intended to be accomplished through orderly low density development. This district encourages and allows both low-density principal residential and active commercial farm uses, in an appropriate mix, which is designed to protect the prime commercial agriculture areas from residential encroachment. Uses not consistent with the rural character of this district or the intent specified herein are prohibited.

(Ord. of 5-7-2013(2))

The following regulations shall apply in all RA Districts:

4-2-1 Permitted principal uses and structures:

4-2-1.1 All principal uses permitted in the A-1 District.

4-2-2 Conditional uses: In addition to the aforementioned uses permitted as a matter of right, the following uses may also be permitted, subject to securing a use permit as provided for in Article 17.

4-2-2.1 All conditional uses permitted in the A-1 district.

4-2-2.2 Antique shops.

4-2-2.3 Beauty and barber shops.

4-2-2.4 Tailor/dressmaker, seamstress.

4-2-2.5 Veterinary hospitals or clinics.

4-2-3 Accessory Uses and Structures:

4-2-3.1 Accessory uses and structures customarily incidental to a principal use, subject to Article 9 herein.

4-2-3.2 All accessory uses permitted in the A-1 district.

4-2-3.3 One (1) tenant unit in accordance with Section 3-2-3.4 (on parcels containing a minimum of nine (9) acres).

(Ord. of 5-7-2013(2))

Off-street parking as required in Article 10.

(Ord. of 5-7-2013(2))

Signs as permitted and regulated in Article 11.

(Ord. of 5-7-2013(2))

4-5-1 Building and structure height: Buildings may be erected up to forty-five (45) feet in height from the finished ground elevation. For structures permitted above the height limit, see Article 9.

(Ord. of 5-7-2013(2))

4-6-1 Minimum lot area: The minimum lot area for permitted principal uses shall be three (3) acres except for the following: (i) Lawful nonconforming lots; (ii) the minimum lot area shall be one (1) acre for a family division lot; (iii) the minimum lot area for conditional uses may be modified in conjunction with approval of a conditional use by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to Article 17 herein; (iv) there shall be no minimum lot area for dedicated well lots as long as all requirements of the Virginia Department of Health are met.

4-6-2 Existing Lots of Record: Any lot which was lawfully recorded prior to the date of adoption of this ordinance, and where such lot met the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance in effect at the time of recordation, then such lot may be used for any use permitted in the Zoning District in which it is located even if the lot does not meet the current minimum district size, lot area, lot width and/or shape requirements of the district, provided all the other regulations of this ordinance can be satisfied.

(Ord. of 5-7-2013(2))

4-7-1 Maximum coverage area: All buildings, including accessory structures and ground level impervious surfaces, shall not cover more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total area of the lot or parcel for parcels three (3) acres or greater in size. Parcels less than three (3) acres shall be permitted a maximum lot coverage of forty percent (40%). This provision may be waived for churches, schools and other community facilities in conjunction with site plan approval. Greenhouses and other structures used solely for agricultural use are exempt from this provision.

(Ord. of 5-7-2013(2))

No building or structure shall be located less than sixty (60) feet from any secondary or private road right-of-way or easement line; and, seventy-five (75) feet from any primary highway right-of-way line. In no case shall any portion of a building or structure be located closer to the street right-of-way or easement than the setback line. In the case of corner lots, no building or structure shall be located closer than forty (40) feet to the right-of-way or easement line of the side street.

(Ord. of 5-7-2013(2))

4-9-1 Minimum lot width: The minimum lot width shall be two hundred (200) feet for any lot fronting on an existing road which is in the state system of secondary highways. Family Division lots are exempt from this provision.

4-9-2 Minimum side yard: Each lot shall have a minimum side yard of twenty-five (25) feet. The side yard requirement for accessory structures other than tenant units shall be fifteen (15) feet.

4-9-3 Minimum rear yard: Each lot shall have a minimum rear yard of forty (40) feet. The rear yard requirement for accessory structures other than tenant units shall be fifteen (15) feet.

4-9-4 Minimum separation requirements for accessory buildings or structures: Each accessory building or structure other than a deck, porch or patio shall be set apart from other buildings or structure at least three (3) feet.

4-9-5 Hog and Poultry Restrictions:

4-9-5.1. There shall be no building, structure or area of confinement for the commercial raising and/or housing of hogs and/or poultry, not free-ranging, within one hundred fifty (150) feet of any property line. For purposes of this section, the raising or keeping of more than five (5) hogs shall be considered commercial in all cases.

4-9-5.2. The area of confinement for non-commercial raising or keeping of hogs or poultry shall be located no closer than fifty (50) feet to any side or rear property line and shall be located no closer to the road than any primary structure on the property. This section shall not apply to the raising or keeping of more than five (5) hogs.

(Ord. of 5-7-2013(2))

4-10-1 Minor Divisions: Subdivision in the RA (Rural Area) District shall be limited to Minor Divisions.

4-10-2 Process: The Minor Division process is set forth in Article VI of the Subdivision Ordinance. Qualifying parent parcels may be divided into two parcels plus a residual parcel no more frequently than once every five (5) years. These divisions are administratively processed by the Zoning Administrator.

(Ord. of 5-7-2013(2))