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Lunenburg County adopts new event-venue ordinance, sets $1,500 annual license
Summary
The Board adopted a new Event Venue Ordinance that replaces per-event permits with a $1,500 annual license allowing up to 12 general-admission events per venue, adds operational, public-health and traffic requirements, and establishes misdemeanor penalties for violations.
LUNENBURG, Va. — The Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 10, 2022 unanimously approved a new Event Venue Ordinance that shifts the county from per-event permitting to an annual licensing model and establishes operational, safety and enforcement standards for rural event venues.
The measure, introduced by the Planning Commission and presented by Planning Commission Chairman Buck Tharpe and Community Development Director Taylor Newton, requires permitted event venues to obtain an annual license for $1,500 due by Dec. 31 for the following year and a $150 late fee if the payment is received after Dec. 31. The annual license permits up to 12 general-admission events per venue; events beyond 12 require a singular event permit under the county's Event Permit Ordinance.
County officials said the ordinance requires an Event Management Plan — including a plot and parking plan, sanitary facilities, insurance proof, a fire safety plan, and a map showing distances to surrounding residences — and mandates approval or review from public-safety partners. Newton told the board traffic-control plans must be submitted annually for approval by the Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Department, fire and EMS and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), and adequate ingress and egress for emergency vehicles must be provided.
The draft also ties noise enforcement to the county’s existing maximum-permissible sound standards, limits on-site signage, and operational limits set by the Fire Marshal. The ordinance forbids a venue from subdividing the property used as the venue without revoking the conditional-use permit, and it prohibits commercial kitchens unless an appropriate CUP already exists. Violations are punishable as Class I misdemeanors with fines of $300–$500 per offense and potential license revocation.
Why it matters: The change is aimed at streamlining permitting for rural venues while adding public-safety and neighborhood-protection conditions. Planning Commission chair Buck Tharpe said the committee began work on the ordinance in 2014 and recommended moving to an annual license to ease administrative burden and provide consistent oversight.
The board approved the ordinance by a voice vote following a motion by Supervisor Mike Hankins, seconded by Supervisor Frank Bacon; all present voted yes (Bacon, Edmonds, Hankins, Pennington, Slayton, Zava). The ordinance also includes specified exemptions and variance processes for setbacks and operational hours, and it directs fees received to county marketing for permitted venues.
Provenance: The ordinance text, fee schedule and enforcement language were presented by the Planning Commission and Community Development Director in public hearing (presentation and draft language summarized by planning commissioners and staff).
