City-Initiated Zoning Changes

The TOD-1 district amendments ordinance (Ord. No. 2023-369) was adopted by City Council at the January 8, 2024 Meeting.

Milestones

• Community meeting: On March 14, 2023 PDR staff hosted a community meeting via MS Teams. The presentation shared during the meeting is here: March 14, 2023 Presentation and March 14 Meeting Recording
• Preliminary amendments presentation to CPC: On March 20, 2023 PDR staff shared a presentation outlining the draft amendments to the Zoning Ordinance with the City Planning Commission. The draft amendments took into account feedback that staff received during the March 14th meeting. The presentation shared during CPC is here: CPC March 20, 2023 Presentation
• Write ordinances: Staff will write ordinances to authorize the changes to the Zoning Ordinance.
• Legislative review: Ordinances are introduced and follow the legislative process to be considered for adoption. The process generally is as follows: introduction at a Council meeting, hearing and vote at a City Planning Commission hearing, hearing and vote at a Council meeting. 

Three Zoning Changes

Short-Term Rentals

City Council adopted the ordinance to revise the short-term rental regulations on September 25, 2023.  Click HERE to view the adopted ordinance.

Accessory Dwelling Units

City Council adopted the ordinance to permit accessory dwelling units on September 25, 2023.  Click HERE to view the adopted ordinance.  Click HERE to learn more about accessory dwelling units.

Parking Minimums

City Council adopted the ordinance to eliminate off-street parking space minimums on April 24, 2023.  Click HERE to view the adopted ordinance.

Please contact Brian Mercer at Brian.Mercer@rva.gov or (804) 646-6704 with any questions or comments on the three zoning changes.

Background Information

•  Revise Short-Term Rental Regulations  (CPC Resolution of Intent - CPCR.2021.168)
• Eliminate Parking Space Minimums  (City Council Resolution - RES. 2021-R027)
• Permit Accessory Dwelling Units  (CPC Resolution of Intent - CPCR.2021.095)

Phase 1: Initial Outreach

The purpose of these meetings were to educate the public on the requested zoning changes for Parking Requirements and Accessory Dwelling Units, as well as follow-up on the 2020 commitment to revisit the Short-Term Rental regulations within the City in 2022. During these meetings, subject matter experts from the Department of Planning and Development Review shared the requested zoning changes, discussed potential elements that may change in the zoning ordinances, and addressed any questions regarding these potential changes.  These meetings were the first of four rounds of community engagement.

Community Engagement Report – Phase 1

Phase 1: Meeting Materials and Recordings

•    Presentation Slides from August 9th & 10th Public Meetings
•    Recording of the Virtual Meeting on August 10th 
•    Poll Question Results from August 16th Telephone Town Hall
•    Recording of the August 16th Telephone Town Hall: English and Spanish
•    Poll Question Results from the August 17th Telephone Town Hall
•    Recording of the August 17th Telephone Town Hall: English and Spanish
•    Survey Results from a survey that was available to the public August 9th through September 9th 

Phase 2: Focus Groups

The focus groups provided a forum for community members from different parts of the city to gather into small groups and discuss their opinions on the three proposed zoning changes.  The focus groups were open to anyone interested in the three zoning changes. PDR Staff promoted these focus groups in Phase 1 of community outreach. In addition, those interested in participating could request to join a focus group on the PDR Three Zoning Changes website.  PDR Staff held two in-person focus group meetings per zoning change.

Focus Groups Report

Phase 3: Draft Concepts

Community Engagement Report – Phase 3

The City of Richmond Department of Planning and Development Review (PDR) hosted the following meetings and provided draft recommendations for the three proposed, City-wide zoning changes:

• December 6, 2022 - 12:00 PM - Microsoft Teams Meeting
  • Recording of Virtual Meeting on December 6th
     
• December 8, 2022 - 6:00 PM - Microsoft Teams Meeting
  • Recording of Virtual Meeting on December 8th
     
• December 13, 2022 - 6:00 PM - In-Person Meeting
  • Main Public Library - 101 East Franklin Street
     

Public Meetings Presentation - Draft Recommendations