|
If
you have any further questions regarding zoning, here are a few
of things you can do:
Come
down to the Building and Zoning Department at the Wise County
Courthouse for person-to-person support.
Send us your question via Email.
Call
the Zoning Administrator or a Representative of the Building Department
at (276) 328-7119. |
Building
& Zoning
Wise
County Zoning Ordinance Explained
Wise County,
VA Zoning Ordinance Text
WHAT
IS THE PURPOSE OF ZONING?
The purpose
of "zoning" is to promote the health, safety, and general
welfare of the public and is done by giving reasonable consideration
to each of the following purposes, where applicable:
- To provide
for adequate light, air, convenience of access and safety from
fire, flood and other dangers;
- To reduce
or prevent congestion in the public streets;
- To facilitate
the creation of a convenient, attractive and harmonious community;
- To 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;
- To protect
against destruction of or encroachment upon historic areas;
- To 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;
- To encourage
economic development activities that provide desirable employment
and enlarge the tax base;
- To provide
for the preservation of agricultural and forestal lands and
other lands of significance for the protection of the natural
environment;
- To protect
approach slopes and other safety areas of licensed airports,
including United States government and military air facilities;
- To promote
affordable housing; and To protect surface water and groundwater.
WHAT
ARE THE ZONING DISTRICTS?
In Order to
carry out the purposes of this Ordinance the following zoning
districts have been established:
A-RR Agricultural-Rural
Residential District
R-1 Single-Family Residential
R-2 General Residential District
B-1 Limited Business District
B-2 General Business District
M-1 Light Industrial District
M-2 Heavy Industrial District
FP Flood Plain Districts
Lonesome Pine Airport District
Conservation and Recreation District
WHAT
DISTRICT IS MY PROPERTY IN?
The only way
to identify the zoning district that an individual piece of property
lies within is by locating the property on the "Official
Zoning District Map of Wise County, Virginia". A representative
of the Building and Zoning Department will be able to assist you
in locating your property.
WHAT
IF A USE IS PROHIBITED?
If the use
planned is prohibited in the zone which applies to the site, it
is possible to apply for rezoning. The likelihood of successfully
changing the zoning designation for a site varies greatly. The
primary consideration is the compatibility of the proposed change
with surrounding uses. Zoning changes require a public hearing
and the approval of the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
WHAT
IS A SPECIAL USE PERMIT?
The purpose
of the Special Use Permit procedure is to provide a means for
the Board of Supervisors to authorize, after review and subject
to appropriate conditions, certain specified uses which, although
generally appropriate in the district in which they are permitted
by the Zoning Ordinance, have a potentially greater impact on
neighboring properties that those uses which are permitted by
right in the district. The special use procedure is intended to
provide the opportunity for the Planning Commission and the Board
of Supervisors to review of each proposed special use and its
potential impacts on surrounding properties and land uses, with
special regard for the particular circumstances of each use. It
is also intended to provide an opportunity for the Planning Commission
to recommend and for the Board of Supervisors to impose such conditions
as are necessary to ensure that the use will be compatible with
the surrounding area and consistent with the intent of the particular
district and the purpose of the Zoning Ordinance.
WHAT
IS A VARIANCE?
If some aspect
of a proposed project does not conform with the development standards
for the zone, it is possible to apply for a Variance. The purpose
of issuing variances is not to allow exceptions to the development
standards but rather to help achieve equal treatment for owners
who would be disadvantaged by strict application of these standards.
For more information on variances contact the Building and Zoning
Department.
WHAT
IS THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS?
The Board
of Zoning Appeals is a four member Board that makes recommendations
related to the application and enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance,
as well as variation requests.
WHAT
FEES CAN BE EXPECTED?
Zoning Permit
- $25.00
Rezoning Fee - $100.00
Special Use Fee - $100.00
Variance Fee - $30.00 |
