Two primary mechanisms for achieving the town's land use goals are the zoning and subdivision ordinances. The zoning ordinance sets forth the regulations that legally enforce land use policies and establishes the rules guiding the development of land within the town. Similarly, the subdivision ordinance establishes the rules by which land can be divided, often setting the stage for subsequent development under the zoning regulations. These two land use tools work hand in hand to help achieve the town's vision regarding land use and the overall well-being of the community.

(Ord. No. 2021-002, 11-23-2021)

To promote the health, safety, or general welfare of the public and further accomplish the objectives of the Code of Virginia, § 15.2-2200, this chapter is adopted as the zoning ordinance of the town, together with the zoning map. This chapter has been designed to:

• Provide for adequate light, air, convenience of access, and safety from fire, flood, crime, and other dangers;

• Facilitate the creation of a convenient, attractive, and harmonious community;

• Facilitate the provision of adequate police and fire protection, parks, streets, and other public requirements and amenities;

• Protect against the destruction of or encroachment upon historic areas;

• Protect against one or more of the following:

◦ Overcrowding of land;

◦ Undue density of population in relation to the available or existing community facilities;

◦ Obstruction of light and air;

◦ Loss of life, health or property from fire, flood, panic, or other dangers

• Encourage economic development activities that provide desirable employment and support the tax base;

• Provide for the preservation of agricultural and forestlands and other lands of significance for the protection of the natural environment; and

• Promote creation and preservation of affordable housing suitable for meeting the current and future needs of the locality as well as a reasonable proportion of the current and future needs of the planning district within which the locality is situated.

(Ord. No. 2021-002, 11-23-2021)

Editor's note— The zoning map is located in the Town Hall and is not included in this chapter.

This chapter is applicable to all lands within the Town of Haymarket and the superjacent airspace of privately-owned land pursuant to the Code of Virginia § 15.2-2293.

(Ord. No. 2021-002, 11-23-2021)

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this chapter shall be deemed exclusive in nature, and only those uses specified shall be permitted in the various zoning districts. If a use is not specified in a zoning district, it shall be prohibited in that district. In the event that a use is not permitted in any zoning district, it may only be permitted after appropriate amendment to the text of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2021-002, 11-23-2021)

Pursuant to § 15.2-2280 of the Code of Virginia, the incorporated area of the town is hereby divided into the following districts and further described in the following sections:

Residential R-1. The residential district R-1 is composed of quiet, low-density single-family homes. The regulations for this district are designed to stabilize and protect the essential characteristics of the district, to promote and encourage a suitable environment for family life where there are children, and to minimize activities of a commercial nature. Development is limited to detached single-unit dwellings plus certain additional uses such as public amenities that serve the residents of the district.

Residential R-2. The residential district R-2 is intended for use within those areas near the central core of the town. This district should provide a suitable environment for families and persons seeking the amenities and convenience of townhouse living, or as an option, smaller detached single-family lots, or conventional single- family lots without fear of encroachment or dissimilar uses. This district is designed to stabilize, protect, and promote this type of development.

Town Center B-1. The Town Center District, B-1, provides primarily for commercial and personal services to be developed either as a unit or in individual parcels oriented to attracting pedestrian shoppers, tourism, and local convenience. Recognizing the economic value of the existing historical area, it shall further be the intent of the district to encourage the retention and rehabilitation of structures and uses in the district that have historic and/or architectural significance. The range, size, hours of operation, lighting, signs, and other developmental aspects of permitted uses may be limited in order to enhance the general character and maintain the historic nature of the district.

Business Commercial B-2. The primary purpose of the business commercial district B-2 is to concentrate businesses in a coordinated manner and to provide for more intense commercial uses away from the town center. Commercial uses located in this district, while traditionally being oriented to automobile traffic, are intended to have a sufficiently high standard in site layout, design, and landscaping to minimize traffic congestion on accessory roadways and minimize the impact of the high volume of traffic at an interchange with adjacent land uses.

Transitional Commercial TC. The primary purpose of this district is to create a low-intensity office, commercial and mixed-use area as a transition between residential and commercial areas. The uses in the district should buffer residential areas from the commercial core by minimizing traffic, lighting, and hours of operation, by establishing buffers and by establishing other site-specific development standards to minimize the impact on adjacent residential uses. To enhance its compatibility with its residential surroundings, any development should be located in existing buildings wherever possible. Adaptive reuse of existing structures is to be encouraged if impacts are mitigated.

Limited Industrial I-1. The primary purpose of the limited industrial district I-1 is to permit certain industries, which do not in any way detract from residential desirability. The limitations on (or provisions relating to) height of building, horsepower, heating, flammable liquids, or explosives, controlling emission of fumes, odors, and/or noise, landscaping, and the number of persons employed are imposed to protect and foster adjacent residential desirability while permitting industries to locate near a labor supply and demand base.

Conservation C-1. The primary purpose of the conservation district C-1 is to limit development in areas of poor soil, steep slope, and proneness of flooding.

(Ord. No. 2021-002, 11-23-2021)