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Committee forwards batch zoning updates covering state code changes, cottage-housing and short-term rental rules
Summary
Committee recommended approval of a package of minor zoning updates including state-code updates, clarifications for cottage-housing open-space rules, short-term rental registration changes and landscape-code corrections.
The Planning and Economic Development Committee voted to forward a batch of zoning text amendments (O-2025-31) for City Council review. Staff described the package as administrative and technical updates intended to align the zoning ordinance with recent state-code changes and to correct or clarify several local provisions.
Staff highlighted a number of changes in the packet: removal of anachronistic references to asbestos manufacturing in the M1 district; clarification that "green space" and "open space" are distinct for cottage-housing requirements; adjustments to how the city treats ADA parking determinations; and updates to short-term rental (STR) language to reflect Virginia state law changes, including limited exemptions from local STR registration for certain licensed real-estate professionals and rules allowing subleasing where the property owner provides written permission.
Staff also described a stronger enforcement tool for STRs: after three or more violations tied to a particular property, staff can issue a notice of violation and bar the property from further STR operation. Planning Commission recommended approval with some amendments; the committee moved to forward the batch amendment to council with a recommendation for approval and the motion carried.
Staff said the amendments are intended to be policy-neutral cleanups and to reduce the need for multiple separate public-hearing advertisements for minor changes.
