This chapter shall apply to all property in the unincorporated territory of the county, with the exception that any property held in fee simple ownership by the United States of America or the Commonwealth of Virginia shall not be subject to the provisions contained herein.

(Ord. No. 09-21R2, Att. A, 9-27-2021)

The regulations established within each district in this chapter shall be regarded as minimum regulations. They shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structure or land. In addition, the following requirements apply throughout the county:

(1)

Conformity with ordinance regulations generally. No building or land shall hereinafter be used or occupied, and no building or part thereof shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered except in conformity with the regulations of this chapter.

(2)

Lots of record. Every building hereafter erected, reconstructed, converted, moved, or structurally altered shall be located on a lot of record and in no case shall there be more than one main building on one lot unless otherwise provided in this chapter.

(3)

Yards and open space. No part of any yard, open space, including lot area per family or dwelling unit, off-street parking space, or loading space required for any building or land use by this chapter shall be included as part of a yard, open space, parking or loading space, as the case may be, for another building or use.

(4)

Existing building permit valid. Nothing contained in this chapter shall require any changes in the plans or construction of any building for which a valid building permit was granted prior to the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived; except, that if the construction of such building is not substantially commenced within six months after the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived, future construction shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.

(5)

Uses not specifically listed. Permitted uses are listed for the various districts in the use matrix of the ordinance [from which this chapter is derived]. Unless the contrary is clear from the context of the lists or other regulations of this chapter, uses not specifically listed are prohibited.

(6)

Accessory building construction and use. Except for buildings accessory to a farm, no accessory building shall be constructed upon a lot for more than six months prior to beginning construction of the main building, and no accessory building shall be used for more than six months unless the main building on the lot is also being used or unless the main building is under construction. No accessory building, on a farm or otherwise, shall be used for dwelling except in accord with the specific provisions of this chapter.

(7)

Obstruction of drainage. No building or other structures shall be erected on any land and no change shall be made in the existing contours of any land, including any change in the course, width, or elevation of any natural or other drainage channel, in any manner, that will obstruct, interfere with, or substantially change the drainage from such land to the detriment of neighboring lands. Factors to be considered in determining substantial change shall include the adopted drainage standards of the state department of transportation and the county's soil erosion and sedimentation ordinance, codified as article III, chapter 30 of this Code. In the administration of this requirement, the zoning administrator shall refer any application submitted to the resident engineer, state department of transportation, for a determination in the matter.

(8)

Obstruction of public right-of-way. No building, structure, sign, merchandise, or other obstruction shall be located or constructed on any public right-of-way.

(9)

Access. Access to a building or land use across land which is not zoned so as to permit the use served by such access, is not permitted.

(Ord. No. 09-21R2, Att. A, 9-27-2021)