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Zoning Ordinance Rewrite
- The Zoning Ordinance is the primary implementation tool for the 2019 Comprehensive Plan.
- It contains an added level of specificity that is based on the community’s vision as expressed in the goals, policies and actions of the 2019 Comprehensive Plan.
- The rewrite project, which kicked off in September 2019, is expected to take approximately 24 months.
- The Zoning Ordinance Committee will serve as a sounding board throughout the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite process and is currently reviewing draft content.
- Input from the Board of Supervisors, advisory bodies, various departments and community and professional groups will also be factored into the final product.
- A number of Zoning Ordinance Amendments have been rolled into the rewrite project.
- WSP USA Inc. has been awarded a contract to provide consulting services for the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite.
The main focus areas of the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite include:
- Implementation of the new comprehensive plan vision, including the Urban Policy Area, which involves new place types with densities, standards, building forms, and infrastructure that have yet to be realized in Loudoun County.
- Modernization: revising land uses and definitions to reflect the current marketplace, reevaluating parking ratios and calculations, update lot and building standards, and aligning how the County administers planned unit developments with modern practice.
- Consistency audit: analyzing existing standards and striving for consistency within the document and across zoning districts when feasible.
- Structure and flow: improving the document structure, making it user-friendly and clear.
- Opportunities and challenges: evaluating input from stakeholders about the current Zoning Ordinance and making improvements where appropriate.
- Legislation: incorporating changes based on new or revised provisions of the Code of Virginia, court cases, and best management practices promoted by the Virginia Association of Zoning Officials, Urban Land Institute and American Planning Association.
| Project Milestones (last revised July 27, 2021) | Planned Date |
|---|---|
| Approval of Project Plan, consultant selection | September 2019 |
| Project kickoff | October 2019 |
| Research, analysis, Staff Technical Advisory Committee meetings | October 2019 -February 2020 |
| Round One Input: Planning Commission, ZOAG, Advisory and Community Groups | January - July 2020 |
| Integrate Round One Input, STAC Meetings, Ordinance Development | July - November 2020 |
| Round Two Input: Planning Commission, Zoning Ordinance Committee, Advisory and Community Groups; Draft Resolution of Intent to Amend (ROIA) |
October 2020 - April 2021 |
| Present Proposed ROIA to Board of Supervisors for Review & Adoption | Fall 2021 |
| Refine Draft Ordinance Text per Referral Review & Round Two Input | Early 2022 |
| Round Three Input: 90-day referral review (open to all parties) | Early to Mid-2022 |
| Second draft ZO Rewrite to Planning Commission for review and recommendations | Mid-2022 |
| PC draft ZO Rewrite to Board of Supervisors for review and adoption | Mid-2022 to Late 2022 |
Best Management Practices Research
As specified in the project plan, Kendig Keast Collaborative has completed two Best Practices Assessments to inform the Zoning Ordnance Rewrite (ZOR) project:
- Planned Unit Developments – Best Practices Assessment (PDF)
- Zoning Incentives – Best Practices Assessment (PDF)
Code Audit
The project also calls for a code audit, which evaluates the county’s code structure, districts, development standards, use regulations, and code administration process. The code audit, completed by WSP, includes recommended updates to the Zoning Ordinance that improve usability, modernize regulations, and implement the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan.
- Code Audit – Text Analysis (PDF)
- Code Audit – District Assessment and Recommendations (PDF)
- Transportation and Land Use Committee Report and Presentation, December 2020 (PDF)
Other Related Documents
- September 19, 2019: Board of Supervisors Business Meeting - Project Plan and Staff Presentation
- September 19, 2019: Summary of Board Action (PDF)
- Additional documents are located on Loudoun Online Land Application System (LOLA). Search application number ZOAM-2020-0001.
Project Update: August 2021
- At its June 15, 2021, business meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved an extension of the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite timeline.
- The new schedule extends the project by six to eight months, enabling staff to more fully develop draft materials (including information that explains proposed changes) prior to review by the Zoning Ordinance Committee (ZOC) and Planning Commission (PC).
- The schedule now includes:
- Providing the Resolution of Intent to Amend (ROIA) to Board of Supervisors for review & adoption (Fall 2021)
- A general public open house (Early 2022)
- Round Three Input: 90-day referral review (Early - Mid 2022)
- Planning Commission review & recommendations (Late 2021 - Mid 2022)
- Board of Supervisors review & adoption (Mid - Late 2022)
- The ZOC continues to meet monthly, providing numerous comments on draft zoning text.
- The consultant has completed a code audit that evaluates the county’s approach to zoning, outlines alternatives, and recommends changes to structure, organization, and content.
- The consultant and staff built an online interactive Zoning platform that will allow the public to search the Zoning Ordinance via keyword or GIS map interface, guide users based on their interests and needs, and accept internal and public comments on proposed amendments.
- An early draft of the two major sections of the new ordinance has been drafted; use tables and parking standards. Draft use tables and parking standards are organized by policy area (Urban, Suburban, Transition, Rural) and list the zoning districts where each use is allowed by right, special exception or minor special exception, and the parking requirements for each use. Definitions for each use are also listed in the tables.
- Round Two Public Input has provided the following feedback. To view a summary of input from focus groups by topic and a full list of 275 comments, please see the May 19, 2021, Board of Supervisors' Transportation & Land Use Committee Item (PDF).
- General support for Code Audit recommendations
- Positive reaction to enCodePlus, the online interactive platform for the county’s Zoning Ordinance(s), which is under development and will be linked from the county’s website.
- Concerns about:
- Development process
- Code administration
- Code structure
- Development standards
- Parking
- Resource preservation (natural/historic)
- Zoning Districts
- Use regulations
- To view a summary of Round One Public Input from focus groups by topics and a full list of 918 comments, please see the July 22, 2020, Board of Supervisors' Transportation & Land Use Committee Item (PDF).
Stay Informed About This Project
- View all updates on the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite.
- Sign up to receive updates on this project in Notify Me, Blogs category.
Contact Us
- For questions about the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite project, email Planning and Zoning or call 703-777-0246.