Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fairgrounds Definition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Warren County adopts formal definition of 'fairground' to clarify permitted events and permits
Summary
After a public hearing and planning-staff presentation, the Board of Supervisors approved a zoning text amendment adding a definition of 'fairground' and moving noncommercial fairgrounds to conditional-use status in agricultural zoning, preserving festival-permit oversight.
Warren County supervisors on Sept. 3 adopted a text amendment to Chapter 180 of the Warren County Code to add a formal definition of "fairground," clarify permissible activities, and require conditional-use review for fairground uses in the Agricultural (A) zoning district.
Planning staff framed the amendment as a corrective and clarifying measure so planning staff and the Warren County Fair Association can determine which activities are permitted at the county fairground and at any future fairground. The proposed definition lists events and accessory uses such as fairs, festivals, concerts, rodeos, flea markets, auctions, staging, camping, RVs, mobile food establishments and related recreational activities. Staff emphasized the change does not remove festival-permit requirements: events that charge admission or include amplified outdoor music still require a festival permit and review by fire, rescue, the sheriff's office and VDOT as appropriate.
Robin Lloyd, the fair manager, told the board the fairgrounds receive many off-season requests for rentals and events — from scouting and 4-H horse shows to demolition derbies and craft shows — and said a written definition would let the fairgrounds more easily advertise and support those community events. She noted an upcoming Homesteaders of America multi-day event had fully booked local hotels.
A supervisor moved that the board find the amendment appropriate for public necessity, convenience and general welfare; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call. The amendment is intended to ensure that bona fide fairgrounds are reviewed through the CUP process when their intensity of use warrants it, while festival permits continue to manage individual events' safety, traffic and security concerns.
