The intent of the large lot residential district is to provide an alternative living environment for persons desiring larger acreage than is practical in a city yet generally less acreage than is necessary for agricultural pursuits. It is intended that this district will provide a minimum of public utilities, services or improvements, and a strictly rural type environment as commonly known in terms of open space, odors, noises, dust and self sufficiency.

(Ord. 1250 (part), 1976).

The following principal uses and structures shall be permitted in the "R-O" large lot residential district:

(1)

Single family dwellings;

(2)

Churches and schools;

(3)

Hobby farms;

(4)

Modular homes as defined in Section 23.08.125;

(5)

Child care facilities, Class I

(Ord. 1599, 1990: Ord. 1279 (part), 1977: Ord. 1250 (part), 1976).

The following accessory uses and structures shall be permitted in the "R-O" large lot residential district:

(1)

All accessory uses and structures commonly associated with residential lots such as automobile garages, swimming pools, tennis courts and lawn sheds;

(2)

All accessory uses and structures commonly associated with a hobby farm such as small barns, storage for a tractor or other farm equipment and small stables;

(3)

Parks;

(4)

Home occupations and noncommercial greenhouses;

(5)

All utility systems necessary to serve the district.

(Ord. 1250 (part), 1976).

The following uses may be permitted in the "R-O" large lot residential district with special restrictive conditions to reduce the incompatibility of the use after special application and commission review as described in Sections 23.04.030, 23.04.032 and 23.04.034:

(1)

Outdoor recreational facilities such as riding stables, golf courses, public swimming pools and public tennis courts;

(2)

Major utility or radio towers, substations or transmission lines;

(3)

Kennels;

(4)

Child care facilities, Class II.

(Ord. 1279 (part), 1977: Ord. 1250 (part), 1976).

The uses and structures specifically listed in this chapter are not considered to be the only conceivable uses of large lot residential land. However, these uses listed do represent the types of uses which may be considered. If an applicant desires to construct a building or conduct a use which is not specifically listed, such applicant shall carry the burden of proof to the board of adjustment that his request is the type of use allowed in the large lot residential district, it is not more compatible with a different zoning district, and it does in no way violate the intent of this chapter.

(Ord. 1292, 1977: Ord. 1250 (part), 1976).

The large lot residential district shall maintain a rural character of residential development by use of the following requirements:

(1)

The minimum lot area shall be five acres;

(2)

The minimum lot width shall be three hundred feet;

(3)

The minimum lot depth shall be two hundred seventy-five feet;

(4)

The minimum front yard shall be seventy-five feet;

(5)

The minimum rear yard shall be fifty feet;

(6)

The minimum side yard shall be twenty feet;

(7)

The maximum lot coverage for all structures is ten percent;

(8)

The maximum structure height is thirty-five feet;

(9)

Minimum dwelling unit size of seven hundred square feet;

(10)

The minimum setback for structures situated on a lot or parcel at the intersection of two streets/roads shall be seventy-five feet from the right-of-way line of each street/road;

(11)

In no case may any structure except for fences be constructed in utility easement areas along front, side or rear property lines;

(12)

If a detached accessory building is constructed three feet (or less by variance) from the property line, the roof overhang on the building will be limited to one foot including stormwater gutters.

(Ord. 2025 (part), 2007; Ord. 1876, 2000: Ord. 1250 (part), 1976).

(Ord. No. 2086, 9-27-2010)

No building or construction shall be permitted within one hundred feet of the highwater mark of natural water drainageways, nor shall any such building or construction be permitted within the flood-prone area of the James River.

(Ord. 1250 (part), 1976).