Williamsburg City Zoning Code
Complete index of all zoning chapters, sections, and subsections
ARTICLE II
ADMINISTRATION2
Sections
- DIVISION 1. - GENERALLY
- DIVISION 2. - SPECIAL USE PERMITS[3]
- Sec. 21-41. - Purpose and intent.
- Sec. 21-42. - Review standards for special use permits.
- Sec. 21-43. - Special conditions.
- Sec. 21-44. - Special use permit application requirements.
- Sec. 21-45. - Action by planning commission.
- Sec. 21-46. - Action by city council.
- Sec. 21-47. - Minor changes to the approved special use permit.
- DIVISION 3. - AMENDMENTS
- DIVISION 4. - CONDITIONAL ZONING
- DIVISION 5. - BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS[4]
- Sec. 21-96. - Composition, appointment and organization.
- Sec. 21-96.1. - Boards of zoning appeals, ex parte communications, proceedings.
- Sec. 21-97. - Powers and duties of the board of zoning appeals.
- Sec. 21-97.1. - Administrative variances to reduce yard regulations based on errors in building location.
- Sec. 21-98. - Appeal to the board of zoning appeals.
- Sec. 21-99. - Procedure on appeal.
- Sec. 21-100. - Proceedings to prevent construction of building in violation of zoning ordinance.
- Sec. 21-101. - Judicial review of decisions of the board of zoning appeals.
ARTICLE III
- DISTRICT REGULATIONS
Sections
- DIVISION 1. - GENERALLY
- DIVISION 2. - SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT RS-1
- Sec. 21-136.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-136.1. - Permitted dwelling unit occupancy.
- Sec. 21-137. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-138. - Uses permitted as special exceptions.
- Sec. 21-139. - Uses permitted with special use permit.
- Sec. 21-140. - Lot area.
- Sec. 21-141. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-142. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-143. - Height.
- Sec. 21-144. - Regulations for cluster subdivisions.
- DIVISION 3. - SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT RS-2
- Sec. 21-161.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-161.1. - Permitted dwelling unit occupancy.
- Sec. 21-162. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-163. - Uses permitted as special exceptions.
- Sec. 21-164. - Uses permitted with special use permit.
- Sec. 21-165. - Lot area.
- Sec. 21-166. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-167. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-168. - Height.
- Sec. 21-169. - Regulations for cluster subdivisions.
- DIVISION 3.1.- SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT RS-3
- Sec. 21-171.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-171.1. - Permitted dwelling unit occupancy.
- Sec. 21-172. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-173. - Uses permitted as special exceptions.
- Sec. 21-174. - Uses permitted with special use permit.
- Sec. 21-175. - Lot area.
- Sec. 21-176. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-177. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-178. - Height.
- DIVISION 4. - MULTIFAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT RM-1
- Sec. 21-186.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-186.1. - Permitted dwelling unit occupancy.
- Sec. 21-187. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-188. - Uses permitted as special exceptions.
- Sec. 21-189. - Uses permitted with special use permit.
- Sec. 21-190. - Lot area/density.
- Sec. 21-191. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-192. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-193. - Height.
- Sec. 21-194. - Landscaped open space and recreation area.
- Sec. 21-194.1. - Sidewalks for multifamily developments.
- Sec. 21-195. - Regulations for townhouses.
- Sec. 21-196. - Regulations for cluster subdivisions for single-family detached dwellings.
- DIVISION 5. - MULTIFAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT RM-2
- Sec. 21-211.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-211.1. - Permitted dwelling unit occupancy.
- Sec. 21-212. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-213. - Uses permitted as special exceptions.
- Sec. 21-214. - Uses permitted with special use permit.
- Sec. 21-215. - Lot area/density.
- Sec. 21-216. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-217. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-218. - Height.
- Sec. 21-219. - Landscaped open space and recreation area.
- Sec. 21-219.1. - Sidewalks for multifamily developments.
- Sec. 21-220. - Regulations for townhouses.
- Sec. 21-221. - Regulations for cluster subdivisions for single-family detached dwellings.
- DIVISION 6. - DOWNTOWN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT RDT
- Sec. 21-236.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-236.1. - Permitted dwelling unit occupancy.
- Sec. 21-237. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-238. - Uses permitted as special exceptions.
- Sec. 21-239. - Uses permitted with special use permit.
- Sec. 21-240. - Lot area/density.
- Sec. 21-241. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-242. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-243. - Height.
- Sec. 21-244. - Landscaped open space.
- Sec. 21-245. - Regulations for townhouses.
- DIVISION 6.1.- LIMITED BUSINESS DOWNTOWN DISTRICT LB-1
- Sec. 21-246.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-246.1. - Permitted dwelling unit occupancy.
- Sec. 21-247. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-248. - Uses permitted as special exceptions.
- Sec. 21-249. - Uses permitted with special use permit.
- Sec. 21-250. - Lot area/density.
- Sec. 21-251. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-252. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-253. - Height.
- Sec. 21-254. - Regulations for townhouses.
- DIVISION 6.2.- LIMITED BUSINESS NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT LB-2
- Sec. 21-255.1.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-255.1.1. - Permitted dwelling unit occupancy.
- Sec. 21-255.2. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-255.3. - Uses permitted as special exceptions.
- Sec. 21-255.4. - Uses permitted with special use permit.
- Sec. 21-255.5. - Lot area/density.
- Sec. 21-255.6. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-255.7. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-255.8. - Height.
- Sec. 21-255.9. - Landscaped open space.
- Sec. 21-255.10. - Regulations for townhouses.
- DIVISION 6.3.- LIMITED BUSINESS MIXED-USE DISTRICT LB-3[5]
- Sec. 21-256.1.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-256.1.1. - Permitted dwelling unit occupancy.
- Sec. 21-256.2. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-256.3. - Uses permitted as special exceptions.
- Sec. 21-256.4. - Uses permitted with special use permit.
- Sec. 21-256.5. - Lot area/density.
- Sec. 21-256.6. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-256.7. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-256.8. - Height.
- Sec. 21-256.9. - Landscaped open space and recreation area.
- Sec. 21-256.10. - Regulations for townhouses.
- DIVISION 6.4.- LIMITED BUSINESS CORRIDOR DISTRICT LB-4
- Sec. 21-257.1.- Statement of intent
- Sec. 21-257.2. - Permitted uses
- Sec. 21-257.3. - Uses permitted as special exceptions
- Sec. 21-257.4. - Uses permitted with special use permit
- Sec. 21-257.5. - Lot area/density
- Sec. 21-257.6. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-257.7. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-257.8. - Height.
- Sec. 21-257.9. - Landscaped open space.
- DIVISION 7. - RESERVED[6]
- DIVISION 8. - DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICT B-1
- Sec. 21-291.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-291.1. - Permitted dwelling unit occupancy.
- Sec. 21-292. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-293. - Uses permitted as special exceptions.
- Sec. 21-294. - Uses permitted with special use permit.
- Sec. 21-295. - Lot area/density.
- Sec. 21-296. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-297. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-298. - Height.
- DIVISION 9. - CORRIDOR BUSINESS DISTRICT B-2[7]
- Sec. 21-321.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-321.1. - Permitted dwelling unit occupancy.
- Sec. 21-322. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-323. - Uses permitted as special exceptions.
- Sec. 21-324. - Uses permitted with special use permit.
- Sec. 21-325. - Lot area/density.
- Sec. 21-326. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-327. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-328. - Height.
- Sec. 21-329. - Landscaped open space and recreation area B-2.
- Sec. 21-330. - Regulations for townhouses.
- DIVISION 9.1.- CULINARY ARTS AND HOSPITALITY DISTRICT B-4
- Sec. 21-331.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-331.1. - Permitted dwelling unit occupancy.
- Sec. 21-332. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-333. - Uses permitted as special exceptions.
- Sec. 21-334. - Uses permitted with special use permit.
- Sec. 21-335. - Lot area/density.
- Sec. 21-336. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-337. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-338. - Height.
- Sec. 21-339. - Landscaped open space and recreation area.
- DIVISION 10. - URBAN BUSINESS DISTRICT B-3[8]
- Sec. 21-351.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-351.1. - Permitted dwelling unit occupancy.
- Sec. 21-352. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-353. - Uses permitted as special exceptions.
- Sec. 21-354. - Uses permitted with special use permit.
- Sec. 21-355. - Lot area/density.
- Sec. 21-356. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-357. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-358. - Height.
- Sec. 21-359. - Landscaped open space and recreation area.
- Sec. 21-360. - Reserved.
- DIVISION 10.1.- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT ED[9]
- Sec. 21-361.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-361.1. - Permitted dwelling unit occupancy.
- Sec. 21-362. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-363. - Uses permitted as special exceptions.
- Sec. 21-364. - Uses permitted with a special use permit.
- Sec. 21-365. - Lot area.
- Sec. 21-366. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-367. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-368. - Height.
- Sec. 21-369. - Landscaped open space.
- Sec. 21-370. - Regulations for townhouses.
- DIVISION 10.2.- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT ED-2
- Sec. 21-371.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-371.1. - Permitted dwelling unit occupancy.
- Sec. 21-372. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-373. - Uses permitted as special exceptions.
- Sec. 21-374. - Uses permitted with a special use permit.
- Sec. 21-375. - Lot area.
- Sec. 21-376. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-377. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-378. - Height.
- Sec. 21-379. - Landscaped open space.
- Sec. 21-380. - Regulations for townhouses.
- DIVISION 11. - LIMITED INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT I
- Sec. 21-381.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-382. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-383. - Uses permitted as special exceptions.
- Sec. 21-384. - Uses permitted with special use permit.
- Sec. 21-385. - Lot area/density.
- Sec. 21-386. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-387. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-388. - Height.
- Sec. 21-389. - Landscaped open space.
- DIVISION 12. - COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG HISTORIC AREA CW
- Sec. 21-411.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-411.1. - Permitted dwelling unit occupancy.
- Sec. 21-412. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-413. - Uses permitted as special exceptions.
- Sec. 21-414. - Uses permitted with special use permit.
- Sec. 21-415. - Lot area.
- Sec. 21-416. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-417. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-418. - Height.
- DIVISION 13. - MUSEUM SUPPORT DISTRICT MS
- Sec. 21-431.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-431.1. - Permitted dwelling unit occupancy.
- Sec. 21-432. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-433. - Uses permitted as special exceptions.
- Sec. 21-434. - Uses permitted with special use permit.
- Sec. 21-435. - Lot area/density.
- Sec. 21-436. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-437. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-438. - Height.
- Sec. 21-439. - Landscaped open space.
- DIVISION 14. - WILLIAM AND MARY DISTRICT WM
- Sec. 21-461.- Statement of intent; change in ownership.
- Sec. 21-462. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-463. - Uses permitted as special exceptions.
- Sec. 21-464. - Uses permitted with special use permit.
- Sec. 21-465. - Lot area/density.
- Sec. 21-466. - Lot width.
- Sec. 21-467. - Yards.
- Sec. 21-468. - Height.
- Sec. 21-469. - Landscaped open space.
- DIVISION 15. - PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS PDR, PDC AND PDU[10]
- Sec. 21-481.- Planned development residential district PDR.
- Sec. 21-482. - Planned development college district PDC.
- Sec. 21-483. - Planned development urban district PDU.
- Sec. 21-483.1. - Planned development housing district PDH.
- Sec. 21-484. - Application procedures for planned development districts.
- Sec. 21-485. - Planned unit developments approved under provisions of previous zoning ordinances.
ARTICLE IV
SUPPLEMENTAL DISTRICT REGULATIONS
Sections
- Sec. 21-601.- Uses not specifically permitted.
- Sec. 21-602. - Prohibited uses.
- Sec. 21-603. - Accessory buildings.
- Sec. 21-604. - Accessory apartments.
- Sec. 21-605. - Rental of bedrooms in single-family detached dwellings to roomers.
- Sec. 21-605.1. - Bed and breakfast establishments.
- Sec. 21-605.2. - Rental of one room in single-family detached dwellings to visitors.
- Sec. 21-605.3. - Small Inn.
- Sec. 21-606. - Home occupations.
- Sec. 21-607. - Special yard regulations.
- Sec. 21-608. - Street frontage for lots.
- Sec. 21-609. - Satellite dishes and antennae.
- Sec. 21-610. - Screening requirements.
- Sec. 21-611. - Fences and walls.
- Sec. 21-612. - Visual obstruction.
- Sec. 21-613. - Public utilities.
- Sec. 21-614. - Tree regulations.
- Sec. 21-615. - Inoperative motor vehicles, trailers or semi-trailers.
- Sec. 21-616. - Building maintenance regulations
- Sec. 21-617. - Construction of model homes in new single-family detached, duplex and townhouse subdivisions
- Sec. 21-618. - Rooming facilities for exchange visitors.
- Sec. 21-619. - Increase in residential occupancy for single-family detached dwellings.
- Sec. 21-620. - Temporary family health care structures.
- Sec. 21-621. - Limitation on helicopter landings.
- Sec. 21-622. - Food trucks and mobile food units.
- Sec. 21-623. - Duplexes.
- Sec. 21-624. - Small cell facilities.
- Sec. 21-625. - Solar energy systems.
- Sec. 21-626. - Slope waivers.
ARTICLE V
- PARKING11
Sections
- Sec. 21-701.- Off-street parking required.
- Sec. 21-702. - Location of parking.
- Sec. 21-703. - Prohibition of parking certain kinds of vehicles in residential districts
- Sec. 21-704. - Size of parking spaces.
- Sec. 21-705. - Access to off-street parking spaces.
- Sec. 21-705.1. - Special regulations for single-family detached dwellings.
- Sec. 21-706. - Calculation of number of off-street parking spaces.
- Sec. 21-707. - Amount of off-street parking required.
- Sec. 21-708. - Off-street loading spaces.
- Sec. 21-708.1. - Reduction of amount of off-street parking required for offices (including doctors' and dentists' offices, but not including clinics and outpatient clinics).
- Sec. 21-709. - Special parking regulations for the downtown business district B-1, economic development district ED, economic development district ED-2, Colonial Williamsburg historic area CW, museum support district MS, and planned development college district PDC.
- Sec. 21-710. - Downtown parking district.
- Sec. 21-711. - Midtown parking district.
- Sec. 21-712. - Economic Development Parking District.
ARTICLE VI
SIGNS12
Sections
- Sec. 21-736.- Intent.
- Sec. 21-736.1. - Substitution of message.
- Sec. 21-736.2. - Sign definitions.
- Sec. 21-737. - Sign districts.
- Sec. 21-738. - Calculation of sign area.
- Sec. 21-739. - Permit required.
- Sec. 21-740. - Liability insurance required.
- Sec. 21-741. - Signs shall pertain to the property.
- Sec. 21-741.1. - Changeable messages.
- Sec. 21-742. - Signs located in the architectural preservation and corridor protection zoning districts.
- Sec. 21-743. - Sign regulations for the residential sign district.
- Sec. 21-744. - Sign regulations for the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area sign district.
- Sec. 21-745. - Sign regulations for the downtown sign district.
- Sec. 21-746. - Sign regulations for the midtown sign district.
- Sec. 21-747. - Sign regulations for the corridor sign district.
- Sec. 21-748. - Signs permitted in all sign districts.
- Sec. 21-749. - Signs prohibited in all sign districts.
- Sec. 21-749.1. - Special provisions for freestanding, monument or parking lot signs located on wide public rights-of-way.
- Sec. 21-750. - Illumination.
- Sec. 21-751. - Nonconforming signs.
- Sec. 21-752. - Abandoned signs.
- Sec. 21-753. - Dilapidated signs.
- Sec. 21-754. - Hardship cases.
ARTICLE VII
SITE PLANS
Sections
- Sec. 21-776.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-777. - In general.
- Sec. 21-778. - Preliminary site plan conference.
- Sec. 21-779. - Minor site plans.
- Sec. 21-780. - Uses requiring site plans.
- Sec. 21-781. - Information required on site plans.
- Sec. 21-782. - General performance standards.
- Sec. 21-783. - Required improvements.
- Sec. 21-784. - Required landscaping.
- Sec. 21-785. - Design standards for site plans.
- Sec. 21-786. - Construction and bonding.
- Sec. 21-787. - Foundation survey.
- Sec. 21-788. - Waivers and revisions.
- Sec. 21-789. - Appeals.
ARTICLE VIII
CHESAPEAKE BAY PRESERVATION13
Sections
- Sec. 21-816.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-817. - Areas of applicability.
- Sec. 21-818. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-819. - Lot size.
- Sec. 21-820. - Required conditions.
- Sec. 21-821. - Performance standards.
- Sec. 21-822. - Interpretation of Chesapeake Bay Protection Area boundaries.
- Sec. 21-823. - Nonconforming use waivers or modifications.
- Sec. 21-824. - Exemptions.
- Sec. 21-825. - Construction of roads and driveways in resource protection areas.
- Sec. 21-826. - Exceptions.
ARTICLE IX
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW
Sections
- Sec. 21-851.- Architectural preservation district AP.
- Sec. 21-852. - Corridor protection district CP.
- Sec. 21-853. - Architectural review board.
- Sec. 21-854. - Approval required.
- Sec. 21-855. - Criteria for approval.
- Sec. 21-856. - Duration of approval.
- Sec. 21-857. - Appeals.
- Sec. 21-858. - Additional or concurrent right to demolish buildings in the architectural preservation district.
- Sec. 21-859. - Zoning exceptions.
- Sec. 21-860. - Site plans.
- Sec. 21-861. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-862. - Exclusions.
- Sec. 21-863. - Criteria for the expansion or establishment of additional architectural preservation districts.
- Sec. 21-864. - Reserved.
ARTICLE X
- NONCONFORMING USES
Sections
- Sec. 21-891.- Continuation.
- Sec. 21-892. - Changes in zoning district boundaries.
- Sec. 21-893. - Repairs and maintenance.
- Sec. 21-894. - Restoration or replacement.
- Sec. 21-895. - Nonconforming lots of record.
- Sec. 21-896. - Enlargement of nonconforming buildings.
- Sec. 21-897. - Special use permit and special exception uses.
- Sec. 21-898. - Highway realignment or condemnation.
- Sec. 21-899. - Waiver of certain rezoning and special use permit filing fees.
- Sec. 21-900. - Reserved.
ARTICLE XI
ARCHAEOLOGICAL REVIEW
Sections
- Sec. 21-925.- Archaeological protection district.
- Sec. 21-926. - Archaeological review board.
- Sec. 21-927. - Definitions.
- Sec. 21-928. - Approval required.
- Sec. 21-929. - Criteria for approval.
- Sec. 21-930. - Duration of approval.
- Sec. 21-931. - Appeals.
- Sec. 21-932. - Additional or concurrent right to modify or destroy archaeological resources in the archaeological protection district.
- Sec. 21-933. - Site plans and subdivisions.
- Sec. 21-934. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 21-935. - Criteria for the expansion or establishment of additional archaeological protection districts.
ARTICLE XII
FLOODPLAIN REGULATIONS14
Sections
- Sec. 21-955.- Statement of intent.
- Sec. 21-956. - Applicability.
- Sec. 21-957. - Definitions.
- Sec. 21-958. - Compliance and liability.
- Sec. 21-959. - Records.
- Sec. 21-960. - Abrogation and greater restrictions.
- Sec. 21-961. - Severability.
- Sec. 21-962. - Penalty for violations.
- Sec. 21-963. - Designation of the floodplain administrator.
- Sec. 21-964. - Duties and responsibilities of the floodplain administrator.
- Sec. 21-965. - Use and interpretation of FIRMS.
- Sec. 21-966. - Jurisdictional boundary changes.
- Sec. 21-967. - District boundary changes.
- Sec. 21-968. - Interpretation of district boundaries.
- Sec. 21-969. - Submitting model backed technical data.
- Sec. 21-970. - Letters of map revision.
- Sec. 21-971. - Description of special flood hazard districts.
- Sec. 21-972. - Overlay concept.
- Sec. 21-973. - Permit and application requirements.
- Sec. 21-974. - General standards.
- Sec. 21-975. - Elevation and construction standards.
- Sec. 21-976. - Standards for subdivision proposals.
- Sec. 21-977. - Existing structures in floodplain areas.
- Sec. 21-978. - Variances.
- Secs. 21-979—21-1000. - Reserved.