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Board adopts zoning text amendments to comply with 2026 General Assembly changes
Summary
The Board adopted TA26‑0002, a package of zoning ordinance amendments required by the 2026 General Assembly covering manufactured homes, appeals language, parking modification procedures, temporary wireless support structures, and solar project standards.
The Bedford County Board of Supervisors adopted a package of zoning text amendments on July 28 to implement changes required by the 2026 General Assembly.
Community Development Director Jordan Mitchell told the board the amendments include: updated manufactured‑home rules (eliminating older class distinctions and allowing HUD‑code homes meeting current standards), revised appeal procedures verbatim from the Code of Virginia, a process for temporary wireless support structures, a new administrative route for parking modification requests (sharing parking and parking‑demand analysis instead of a variance), and the addition of rooftop and ground‑mounted solar as accessory uses with standards for I‑1 solar as a special‑use permit.
Mitchell said the code changes also require the county to allow a small‑lot option in the R‑4 district (minimum lots and setbacks specified) and to add decommissioning standards for utility‑scale solar. Planning Commission recommended approval (5–1). After a public hearing with no speakers, the board approved the ordinance on a 5–2 vote.
Why it matters: the amendments reflect state legislative changes and adjust local review processes for parking and solar projects, affecting developers, utilities and property owners across the county.
What’s next: staff will incorporate the adopted text into the county ordinance and apply the new administrative parking modification process and solar standards when reviewing applications.
