Lunenburg supervisors adopt animal nuisance rules, expand solar revenue-share and raise building permit fees

The Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors on April 9 unanimously adopted an Animal Nuisance Ordinance and related penalties, approved updates to the county's Solar Facility Revenue Share rules to comply with state law, and revised the Building Inspection Fee schedule.

Animal Control Officer Ray Elliott told the board the nuisance ordinance is intended to give the county clearer enforcement options for repeat problems, asking that any fines be applied to the Animal Control line item to help offset enforcement costs. Two residents urged the board to act: Mr. Harry C. Garrett recounted a April 2025 incident in which his grandson was bitten by a neighbor's dog and said the proposed rules would help prevent similar events; Peggy Barton said she has experienced repeated nuisance-animal problems in her area.

Under the new Sec. 14-92, the ordinance defines nuisance behavior to include excessive or untimely barking, biting or attacking without provocation, chasing vehicles, repeated trespass that damages property, and other chronic behaviors. The code authorizes the general district court to order that a nuisance animal be confined, removed or destroyed and permits imposition of a fine up to $250. The Prohibited Snakes section (Sec. 14-63) defines prohibited snakes as constrictor snakes longer than six feet and any venomous snake; penalties are set at $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second and $250 for a third or subsequent offense.

The board also voted to update the Solar Facility Revenue Share Ordinance (Lunenburg Code —70-156 to —70-158) to align with recent changes in the Code of Virginia (58.1-2636), allowing the county to include projects smaller than five megawatts in revenue-sharing requirements.

Finally, supervisors approved changes to the Building Inspection Fee schedule (Lunenburg Code —22-51). The revised schedule lists a range of residential, commercial and specialty fees, confirms the two percent state levy that applies to inspection fees, and adds or adjusts items such as a $75 permit for tents over 900 square feet and a Solar Facilities fee listed as a base fee of $50,000 up to 5 megawatts with $1,000 per megawatt above 5 megawatts.

Supervisor Mike Hankins moved to approve the revenue-share update and the fee schedule; Supervisor Edward Pennington seconded both motions and the board approved them by unanimous roll call.

The ordinances and fee schedule take effect as codified under the sections adopted by the board; the county attorney noted the revenue-share update was made specifically to comply with Va. Code 58.1-2636. The board heard the items in a public hearing before taking final action.