Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances Update Project

Last Updated: November 3, 2021

The existing Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances were last thoroughly evaluated and comprehensively re-written in 1997 and 1996, respectively. In the ensuing time, many changes, both major and minor, have been made to the text of the ordinances, including the addition of districts and overlays to the Zoning Ordinance. The results include ordinances containing outdated requirements, internal inconsistencies, and ordinances that can be difficult for community members to comprehend. In recent years, it has become apparent that a significant overhaul of the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances is needed. Additionally, new ways of thinking about planning and zoning combined with new techniques and principles for implementing adopted plans offer ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of City planning and zoning. The adoption of the new Comprehensive Plan in November 2018 also affords the opportunity for taking a holistic approach to developing a new Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance.

In July 2020, the City contracted with Kendig Keast Collaborative [1] to partner with city staff to update the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances.

Project Process - Milestones

Ordinance Advisory Committee (OAC)

Project Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Press Releases

Join Email List

Module 1 Virtual Public Meeting, Draft Ordinances, and Public Comment Period

Information about Module 2 and 3

Project Process - Milestones

Phase 1: Project Initiation and Orientation (July - December 2020)
- Review plans and ordinances
- Field reconnaissance
- August 25, 2020 - Presentation to City Council to introduce the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances Update Project [2](includes video)
- September 9, 2020 - Update to Planning Commission on the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances Update Project [3] (includes video)
- September 22, 2020 - City Council considers appointment of Ordinance Advisory Committee members [4]
- October 5-8, 2020 - Stakeholder Meetings (by invitation)
- October 12, 2020 - Ordinance Advisory Committee [5] meeting #1
- October 17-November 2, 2020 - Community Survey was available for community members to share opinions and suggestions on current issues, opportunities, needs, and priorities of our community. Survey results are available in the November 18, 2020 OAC meeting agenda packet [5].
- November 18, 2020 - Ordinance Advisory Committee [5] meeting #2. The Ordinance Diagnostic is presented and is available in the OAC meeting agenda packet.
Phase 2: Interactive Drafting (January 2021- Early 2022)
- Drafting of Modules by staff and KKC
- Three Public Open House meetings and public comment periods for each Module
  - Open House 1: July 14, 2021
  - Open House 2: To be scheduled
  - Open House 3: To be scheduled
- Ordinance Advisory Committee [5](OAC) work sessions
  - OAC Meeting 3: July 2, 2021
  - OAC Meeting 4: To be scheduled
  - OAC Meeting 5: To be scheduled
- Revisions to modules
Phase 3: Compilation of Public Review Drafts (Mid-2022)
- Ordinance Advisory Committee [5] meeting #6: To be scheduled
Phase 4: Adoption (Mid-2022)
- Public Hearings at Planning Commission and City Council: To be scheduled

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Ordinance Advisory Committee (OAC)

More information about the OAC, meeting agenda packets, and meeting videos. [5]

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Project Resources and References

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Zoning?

Zoning ordinances are land use regulations with the purpose generally stated as for protecting the health, safety, and general welfare of the people in a community. The Zoning Ordinance is a section of the City’s Code that regulates the development of buildings, activities and land use. Zoning determines what use you can have on a property such as a house or business. It determines how high a building can be or how far away from the street it should be. It is regulatory; it says how many signs a business can have and how big they can be.

What are Subdivision regulations?

Subdivision regulations govern the division of land, which includes everything from simply splitting one lot to create two lots or in subdividing a large piece of land to create a new neighborhood. Among other things, subdivision regulations establish rules for the creating of lots, blocks, and streets, and provide for the establishments of easements and public rights-of-way.

Why are Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances important?

They affect how our city looks and works, now and in the future. The update to the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances will help to implement the City's 2018 Comprehensive Plan, helping turn general goals into a reality. Revising the Ordinances will help to shape the City's future growth.

What are the desired outcomes of the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances update?

Create streamlined, clear, and user-friendly ordinances
Update the ordinances to fully comply with all the Zoning and Subdivision provisions required by the Code of Virginia.
Update definitions in the Ordinances to enhance clarity and reduce the need for interpretation.
Align changes with the 2018 Comprehensive Plan. For example, among other things, the ordinances update should consider:

- Encouraging areas with a mix of uses (residential and nonresidential) and allow different housing types and lot sizes.
- Promoting the development of more single-family detached and duplex housing units.
- Promoting the development of lower cost and affordable housing (both for rental and homeownership).
- Expanding opportunities for infill development, and the reuse and redevelopment of existing and underutilized structures and properties.
- Promoting walkable neighborhoods.
- Providing off-street parking to adequately meet demand and provide access to key destinations, businesses, and services, without creating oversupply.
- Adapting to new trends and demands while ensuring that new development and redevelopment of residential, commercial, and industrial properties will be compatible with existing land uses and with planned uses of surrounding properties.

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Press Releases

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Join Email List

Send an email to Thanh.Dang@harrisonburgva.gov [13] with subject "Join Ordinance Updates Email List" to receive future email updates and announcements about this project.

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Module 1 Virtual Public Meeting, Draft Ordinances, and Public Comment Period

The public comment period for Module 1 began on June 8 and concluded on July 12, 2021.

Factsheets

[278KB] In English [14]

[284MB] En Español [15]

[14] [15]

Virtual Public Meeting - June 14, 2021

The City of Harrisonburg and consultants Kendig Keast Collaborative (KKC) hosted a virtual public meeting Monday, June 14, from 6:00pm to 7:30pm to present Module 1 of the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances update and to receive community feedback. The community was able to watch and listen to the public meeting live by watching Zoom on a computer or mobile device, by calling in to listen by phone, or by watching the meeting on Public Education Government Channel 3.

Watch the recording of the meeting [16]
[3MB] View the meeting presentation slides [17]

Ordinance Advisory Committee Meeting - July 2, 2021

The Ordinance Advisory Committee met on July 2, 2021. Meeting information. [5]

Module 1 Draft

Module 1 is one of three parts of the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances update and is available for review in one of the following ways:

Through enCodePlus, an interactive web-based software [18],
By downloading the [4MB] PDF [19]
By visiting the Department of Community Development at City Hall, 409 South Main Street, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm to review hardcopies.

Notice: [85KB] Edits made to Module 1 during Public Comment Period [20] - updated June 8, 2021

Module 1 includes the following sections:

Chapter 1 – Zoning

Article A – General Provisions

Article B – District Development Standards

Article C – Use Standards

Chapter 3 – Common Development Provisions

Article C – Definitions and Rules of Construction

Public Comment Period

The public comment period for Module 1 began on June 8 and concluded on July 12, 2021.

During the comment period, community members were able to submit comments online through enCodePlus, [18]email comments, and submit written letters to the Department of Community Development.

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Information about Module 2 and 3

Module 2 and 3 are currently being drafted and each release will include a public meeting and comment period. Module 2 and 3 will consist of the following sections:

Module 2

Chapter 1 – Zoning Ordinance

Article D – Building Design Standards

Article E – Parking, Loading, and Stacking

Article F – Landscaping, Buffering, and Tree Preservation

Article G – Signs

Article H – Outdoor Lighting

Chapter 2 – Subdivision Ordinance

Article A – General Provisions

Article B – Subdivision Design Standards

Article C – Public Improvements, Dedication, and Acceptance

Chapter 3 – Common Development Provisions

Article C – Definitions and Rules of Construction

Module 3

Chapter 1 – Zoning

Article I – Nonconformities

Article J – Administrative Procedures

Article K – Legislative Procedures

Article L – Quasi-Judicial Procedures

Article M – Enforcement and Remedies

Chapter 2 – Subdivision Ordinance

Article D – Development Review Procedures

Article E – Nonconformities

Article F – Enforcement and Remedies

Chapter 3 – Common Development Provisions

Article A – Development Review Bodies

Article B – Common Development Review Procedures

Article C – Definitions and Rules of Construction

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Questions? Contact Thanh Dang, Assistant Director of Community Development at Thanh.Dang@harrisonburgva.gov [13] or 540-432-7700.