(A)

This ordinance, and the official zoning map of Prince Edward County, Virginia shall be known and referred to as the Prince Edward County Virginia Zoning Ordinance.

(B)

The county board of supervisors has adopted the provisions of this ordinance pursuant to the declaration of legislative intent contained in Code of Virginia, § 15.2-2200, and the authority contained in §§ 15.2-2280 and 15.2-2281.

The provisions of this ordinance shall apply to all property within the unincorporated portions of Prince Edward County, Virginia, 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 of this ordinance. This ordinance shall also apply to property within the Town of Pamplin, Virginia, provided said property lies within the county, and this ordinance is adopted by the Pamplin Town Council as the zoning ordinance of the Town of Pamplin.

This ordinance and any amendments hereto, have been adopted for the general purpose of implementing the comprehensive plan of the county, and for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, and/or general welfare of the public. To these ends, this ordinance is designed to give reasonable consideration to each of the following purposes:

1.

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

2.

Reduce or prevent congestion in the public streets;

3.

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

4.

Facilitate the provision of adequate police and fire protection, disaster evacuation, civil defense, transportation, water, sewerage, flood protection, schools, parks, forests, playgrounds, recreational facilities, airports and other public requirements;

5.

Protect against destruction of, or encroachment upon, historic areas;

6.

Protect against one or more of 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;

7.

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

8.

Provide for the preservation of agricultural and forestal lands;

9.

Protect approach slopes and other safety areas of licensed heliports and airports;

10.

Promote the creation and preservation of affordable housing suitable for meeting the current and future needs of the county;

11.

Protect surface and groundwater resources.

This ordinance shall be effective on October 1, 2007.

(A)

All land uses and activities not specifically provided for or addressed in this ordinance shall be considered uses and activities prohibited within the county unless the administrator finds that the land use or activity is compatible and consistent with the provisions of this ordinance.

(B)

If a land use or activity is deemed by the administrator to be prohibited within the county, that use or activity shall not be permitted within the county.

(C)

Where the standards imposed by this ordinance are more or less restrictive than the standards imposed by any other public regulation, the more restrictive standard shall apply.

(D)

This ordinance shall not apply to, or interfere with, any private covenant. However, if the regulations imposed by this ordinance are more restrictive, or impose a higher standard than the private covenant, then the provisions of this ordinance shall apply.

(E)

All county agencies and officials that have the responsibility to issue permits and licenses pertaining to the construction of buildings or the use of land within the county shall do so only in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance. If a permit or license is issued in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance, the permit or license shall be null and void.

The following zoning districts shall be established within the county. The location of these districts shall be shown on the official zoning map.

Agricultural districts

A1 agricultural conservation district

A2 agricultural residential district

Residential districts

R1 low density residential district

R2 general residential district

R3 medium density residential district

MHP manufactured home park district

RPC residential planned community district

Commercial districts

C1 general commercial district

Industrial districts

I1 general industrial district

Special purpose districts

CR college residential district

VC village center district

CH cluster housing overlay district

Highway corridor overlay district

(Ord. of 12-10-13)

(A)

If in the opinion of the administrator, uncertainty exists as to the exact location of any zoning district boundary, the administrator shall apply the following rules to determine the location of the boundary:

1.

Zoning district boundaries that appear to approximately follow the centerlines of street, rights-of-way or alleys shall be construed to follow such centerlines.

2.

Zoning district boundaries that appear to follow platted lot lines shall be construed as following such platted lot lines except that the zoning designation of any lot shall extend to the center line of any adjacent street, right-of-way or alley. The modification of any platted lot line due to subdivision, re-subdivision, or correction of map errors shall not move or otherwise modify a designated zoning district boundary.

3.

Zoning district boundaries that appear to follow the centerlines of streams and rivers shall be construed as following such centerlines.

(B)

If the rules contained in (A) above do not provide sufficient certainty to determine the location of a zoning district boundary, the administrator may request the board of zoning appeals interpret the location of the district boundary pursuant to the authority granted by section 5-128.1(D) of this appendix.