This chapter of the City of Norton Code shall be known as the City of Norton Zoning Ordinance and is enacted for the general purpose of promoting the health, safety and general welfare of the public and of furthering the objectives of the Virginia Local Planning Legislation. To these ends, the City of Norton Zoning Ordinance is designed to give reasonable consideration to each of the purposes established by title 15.2-2279—15.2-2283 of the Virginia Code, as amended:

(a)

To provide for adequate light, air, convenience of access, and safety from fire, flood and other dangers;

(b)

To reduce or prevent congestion in the public streets;

(c)

To facilitate the creation of a convenient, attractive and harmonious community;

(d)

To facilitate the provision of adequate police and fire protection, disaster evacuation, civil

(e)

defense, transportation, water, sewerage, flood protection, schools, parks, forests, playgrounds, recreational facilities, airports, and other public requirements;

(f)

To protect against destruction of or encroachment upon historic areas;

(g)

To protect against the following: overcrowding of land, undue density of population in relation to the community facilities existing or available, obstruction of light and air, danger and congestion in travel and transportation, or loss of life, health, or property from fire, flood, panic or other dangers;

(h)

To encourage economic development activities that provide desirable employment and enlarge the tax base;

(i)

To provide for the preservation of agricultural and forestal lands; and

(j)

In addition to, but nevertheless consistent with the state-mandated purposes, to provide for the conservation of the renowned natural beauty of the City of Norton.

(Ord. of 1-5-16, § 1(Exh. A)

The location and boundaries of the zoning districts established by this chapter shall be as shown upon a map entitled "Official Zoning Map, City of Norton Virginia," dated August, 2015, as amended, which is maintained by the Building/Zoning Department and is hereby made a part of this chapter. Such maps, together with all notations, references, and other information shown thereon, and all amendments thereto, shall be referred to in this chapter as the "Official Zoning Map."

Upon the adoption of ordinances amending the official zoning map, the city clerk shall forward to the building/zoning department attested copies of such ordinance. Upon receipt of these ordinances, the building/zoning department shall amend the official zoning map.

(Ord. of 1-5-16, § 1(Exh. A)

For the purpose of this chapter, the city is hereby divided, as shown on the zoning map, into nine (9) classes of zones designated as follows:

(a)

R-A—A residence zone;

(b)

R-B- B residence zone;

(c)

B-1- Local business zone;

(d)

B-2- Central business zone;

(e)

B-3—General business zone;

(f)

M-1—Light industrial zone;

(g)

M-2—Heavy industrial zone;

(h)

R-CR—Conservation and recreation zone;

(i)

Floodway zone.

(Ord. of 1-5-16, § 1(Exh. A)

The boundaries of these zones are hereby established as they are shown on the zoning map. Unless otherwise indicated, the boundaries are lot lines, the centerlines of streets or alleys, railroad rights-of-way or the corporate limits. Questions concerning the exact locations of zone boundary lines shall be determined by the board of zoning appeals.

(Ord. of 1-5-16, § 1(Exh. A)

Feminine or masculine pronouns shall be substituted for those of masculine form, and the plural shall be substituted for those of the singular number, in any place or places herein in which the context may require such substitution.

(Ord. of 1-5-16, § 1(Exh. A)

(a)

All territory which may hereafter be incorporated into the city by boundary adjustment, annexation, or otherwise shall be construed as being temporarily classified in the city zoning district or districts which each parcel of property in such territory adjoins or abuts in the city at the time of its incorporation into the city. Should any parcel of property coming into the city adjoin or abut more than one (1) city zoning district at the time of its incorporation into the city, it shall be temporarily classified in the city zoning district that it adjoins or abuts that is most restrictive. Should any parcel of property in said territory not adjoin or abut an existing city zoning district, it shall temporarily be classified as being within the residential "A" zoning district.

(b)

Within six (6) months of such territory coming within the jurisdiction of the city, such temporary zoning classifications will either be affirmed or such parcels of property shall be reclassified.

(Ord. of 1-5-16, § 1(Exh. A)