Zoning in a nut shell – Zoning Districts

When working in residential resale zoning rarely ever becomes an issue short of specifying the correct zoning code on the listing form. However, in commercial real estate zoning is particularly important, localities use zoning designations to control where business can operate from based on the type or category of the business.

For example, a manufacture of steel plates would be unable to conduct its business in an area with an O-1 zoning.

In Virginia Beach we have many different Zoning Districts, the one district that most real estate agents are familiar with is the Residential District which is denoted as R-X and Planned Development Districts denoted as PD-XX. In addition to these residential districts we also have :

• Office Districts

• Residential Districts

• Business Districts

• Industrial Districts

Residential Districts

R-40, R-30, and R-20

• Larger minimum lot sized

• Lower residential densities

R-15, R-10, and R-7.5

• Medium density single-family residential development

R-5D Residential Duplex district

• Semidetached and single-family dwellings lots averaging 5,000 sqr feet

• Duplexes exist on lot of 10,000 square feet in area. It is not the intention to create additional R5-D Districts or to enlarge the limits of existing R-5D Districts

Office Districts

There are 2 designations in this category O-1 and O-2

O-1 Zoning

1. Office

2. Institutional

Provide an environment appropriate to office or institutional character and compatible

with residential uses which may adjoin and where public facilities are available to meet

their needs

O-2 Zoning

1. Large scale office

2. Institutional Structures

where public facilities are available and where conflicts with residential neighborhoods

can be avoided

Business Districts

There are 7 distinct distinct zoning designations within the Business District

B-1, B-1a, B-2,B-3, B-3a, B-4, B-4c

B-1 Neighborhood business district

This district allows business near or adjacent to residential developments without adversely impacting the residential area. Allowing only a limited range of business establishments

B-1a Limited Community Business District

Allows areas where a limited number of commercial development can be dispersed to support the needs of nearby residential neighborhoods.

B-2 Community Business District

is to provide land needed for community-wide business establishments. This district is intended for general application in the city. It is intended that, by the creation of this district, business uses will be geographically concentrated.

B-3 Central Business District

is to set apart that portion of the city which forms the metropolitan center for financial, commercial, professional and cultural activities, including business, professional and cultural development in a manner that complements the B-3A Pembroke Central Business core district and the policies identified in the City of Virginia Beach Comprehensive Plan. It is intended that any uses likely to create friction with these proposed types of activities will be discouraged. This district is not intended for general application throughout the city.

Industrial Districts

Within the Industrial Districts there are 2 levels of zoning I-1 and I-2

I-1: Light Industrial District is to permit light industrial uses, wholesaling, storage, packaging, distribution, and retailing restricted primarily to operations requiring bulk deliveries by truck or van in locations served by ajor transportation networks.

I-2: Heavy Industrial Districts wholesaling, warehousing and distribution in areas suitable for these functions

Whether your business is out growing your current facility, or you are starting a new business contact me today for information regarding available properties and options available to you.