{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-2223.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-2223.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-2223.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-2223.1.html"}],"law_id":87087,"edition_id":1,"section_id":87087,"structure_id":13039,"section_number":"15.2-2223.1","catch_line":"Comprehensive plan to include urban development areas","history":"2007, c. 896; 2009, c. 327; 2010, cc. 465, 528; 2011, c. 561; 2012, cc. 192, 518, 805, 836.","full_text":"A\n\nFor purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Commercial” means property devoted to usual and customary business purposes for the sale of goods and services and includes, but is not limited to, retail operations, hotels, motels and offices. “Commercial” does not include residential dwelling units, including apartments and condominiums, or agricultural or forestal production, or manufacturing, processing, assembling, storing, warehousing, or distributing.\n\t\t\t“Commission” means the Commission on Local Government.\n\t\t\t“Developable acreage,” solely for the purposes of calculating density within the urban development area, means land that is not included in (i) existing parks, rights-of-way of arterial and collector streets, railways, and public utilities and (ii) other existing public lands and facilities.\n\t\t\t“Population growth” means the difference in population from the next-to-latest to the latest decennial census year, based on population reported by the United States Bureau of the Census. In computing its population growth, a locality may exclude the inmate population of any new or expanded correctional facility that opened within the time period between the two censuses.\n\t\t\t“Urban development area” means an area designated by a locality that is (i) appropriate for higher density development due to its proximity to transportation facilities, the availability of a public or community water and sewer system, or a developed area and (ii) to the extent feasible, to be used for redevelopment or infill development.B\n\nAny locality may amend its comprehensive plan to incorporate one or more urban development areas.1\n\nUrban development areas are areas that may be appropriate for development at a density on the developable acreage of at least four single-family residences, six townhouses, or 12 apartments, condominium units, or cooperative units per acre, and an authorized floor area ratio of at least 0.4 per acre for commercial development, any proportional combination thereof, or any other combination or arrangement that is adopted by a locality in meeting the intent of this section.2\n\nThe urban development areas designated by a locality may be sufficient to meet projected residential and commercial growth in the locality for an ensuing period of at least 10 but not more than 20 years, which may include phasing of development within the urban development areas. Where an urban development area in a county with the urban county executive form of government includes planned or existing rail transit, the planning horizon may be for an ensuing period of at least 10 but not more than 40 years. Future residential and commercial growth shall be based on official estimates of either the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service of the University of Virginia, the Virginia Employment Commission, the United States Bureau of the Census, or other official government projections required for federal transportation planning purposes.3\n\nThe boundaries and size of each urban development area shall be reexamined and, if necessary, revised every five years in conjunction with the review of the comprehensive plan and in accordance with the most recent available population growth estimates and projections.4\n\nThe boundaries of each urban development area shall be identified in the locality’s comprehensive plan and shall be shown on future land use maps contained in such comprehensive plan.5\n\nUrban development areas, if designated, shall incorporate principles of traditional neighborhood design, which may include but need not be limited to (i) pedestrian-friendly road design, (ii) interconnection of new local streets with existing local streets and roads, (iii) connectivity of road and pedestrian networks, (iv) preservation of natural areas, (v) mixed-use neighborhoods, including mixed housing types, with affordable housing to meet the projected family income distributions of future residential growth, (vi) reduction of front and side yard building setbacks, and (vii) reduction of subdivision street widths and turning radii at subdivision street intersections.6\n\nThe comprehensive plan shall describe any financial and other incentives for development in the urban development areas.7\n\nA portion of one or more urban development areas may be designated as a receiving area for any transfer of development rights program established by the locality.C\n\nNo locality that has amended its comprehensive plan in accordance with this section shall limit or prohibit development pursuant to existing zoning or shall refuse to consider any application for rezoning based solely on the fact that the property is located outside the urban development area.D\n\nLocalities shall consult with adjacent localities, as well as the relevant planning district commission and metropolitan planning organization, in establishing the appropriate size and location of urban development areas to promote orderly and efficient development of their region.E\n\nAny county that amends its comprehensive plan pursuant to subsection B may designate one or more urban development areas in any incorporated town within such county, if the council of the town has also amended its comprehensive plan to designate the same areas as urban development areas with at least the same density designated by the county. However, if a town has established an urban development area within its corporate boundaries, the county within which the town is located shall not include the town’s projected population and commercial growth when initially determining or reexamining the size and boundary of any other urban development area within the county.F\n\nTo the extent possible, federal, state and local transportation, housing, water and sewer facility, economic development, and other public infrastructure funding for new and expanded facilities shall be directed to designated urban development areas or to such similar areas that accommodate growth in a manner consistent with this section.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":311821,"text":"For purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Commercial” means property devoted to usual and customary business purposes for the sale of goods and services and includes, but is not limited to, retail operations, hotels, motels and offices. “Commercial” does not include residential dwelling units, including apartments and condominiums, or agricultural or forestal production, or manufacturing, processing, assembling, storing, warehousing, or distributing.\n\t\t\t“Commission” means the Commission on Local Government.\n\t\t\t“Developable acreage,” solely for the purposes of calculating density within the urban development area, means land that is not included in (i) existing parks, rights-of-way of arterial and collector streets, railways, and public utilities and (ii) other existing public lands and facilities.\n\t\t\t“Population growth” means the difference in population from the next-to-latest to the latest decennial census year, based on population reported by the United States Bureau of the Census. In computing its population growth, a locality may exclude the inmate population of any new or expanded correctional facility that opened within the time period between the two censuses.\n\t\t\t“Urban development area” means an area designated by a locality that is (i) appropriate for higher density development due to its proximity to transportation facilities, the availability of a public or community water and sewer system, or a developed area and (ii) to the extent feasible, to be used for redevelopment or infill development.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":311822,"text":"Any locality may amend its comprehensive plan to incorporate one or more urban development areas.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":311823,"text":"Urban development areas are areas that may be appropriate for development at a density on the developable acreage of at least four single-family residences, six townhouses, or 12 apartments, condominium units, or cooperative units per acre, and an authorized floor area ratio of at least 0.4 per acre for commercial development, any proportional combination thereof, or any other combination or arrangement that is adopted by a locality in meeting the intent of this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":311824,"text":"The urban development areas designated by a locality may be sufficient to meet projected residential and commercial growth in the locality for an ensuing period of at least 10 but not more than 20 years, which may include phasing of development within the urban development areas. Where an urban development area in a county with the urban county executive form of government includes planned or existing rail transit, the planning horizon may be for an ensuing period of at least 10 but not more than 40 years. Future residential and commercial growth shall be based on official estimates of either the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service of the University of Virginia, the Virginia Employment Commission, the United States Bureau of the Census, or other official government projections required for federal transportation planning purposes.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":311825,"text":"The boundaries and size of each urban development area shall be reexamined and, if necessary, revised every five years in conjunction with the review of the comprehensive plan and in accordance with the most recent available population growth estimates and projections.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":311826,"text":"The boundaries of each urban development area shall be identified in the locality’s comprehensive plan and shall be shown on future land use maps contained in such comprehensive plan.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"6":{"id":311827,"text":"Urban development areas, if designated, shall incorporate principles of traditional neighborhood design, which may include but need not be limited to (i) pedestrian-friendly road design, (ii) interconnection of new local streets with existing local streets and roads, (iii) connectivity of road and pedestrian networks, (iv) preservation of natural areas, (v) mixed-use neighborhoods, including mixed housing types, with affordable housing to meet the projected family income distributions of future residential growth, (vi) reduction of front and side yard building setbacks, and (vii) reduction of subdivision street widths and turning radii at subdivision street intersections.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"7":{"id":311828,"text":"The comprehensive plan shall describe any financial and other incentives for development in the urban development areas.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"B7"},"8":{"id":311829,"text":"A portion of one or more urban development areas may be designated as a receiving area for any transfer of development rights program established by the locality.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"B7","prefix_anchor":"B7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B6","next_prefix":"C"},"9":{"id":311830,"text":"No locality that has amended its comprehensive plan in accordance with this section shall limit or prohibit development pursuant to existing zoning or shall refuse to consider any application for rezoning based solely on the fact that the property is located outside the urban development area.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B7","next_prefix":"D"},"10":{"id":311831,"text":"Localities shall consult with adjacent localities, as well as the relevant planning district commission and metropolitan planning organization, in establishing the appropriate size and location of urban development areas to promote orderly and efficient development of their region.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"11":{"id":311832,"text":"Any county that amends its comprehensive plan pursuant to subsection B may designate one or more urban development areas in any incorporated town within such county, if the council of the town has also amended its comprehensive plan to designate the same areas as urban development areas with at least the same density designated by the county. However, if a town has established an urban development area within its corporate boundaries, the county within which the town is located shall not include the town’s projected population and commercial growth when initially determining or reexamining the size and boundary of any other urban development area within the county.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"12":{"id":311833,"text":"To the extent possible, federal, state and local transportation, housing, water and sewer facility, economic development, and other public infrastructure funding for new and expanded facilities shall be directed to designated urban development areas or to such similar areas that accommodate growth in a manner consistent with this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13039,"edition_id":1,"name":"The Comprehensive Plan","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12774,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:10","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:10","permalink":{"id":154925,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13039,"identifier":"3","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3","url":"\/15.2\/II\/22\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12774,"edition_id":1,"name":"Planning, Subdivision of Land and Zoning","identifier":"22","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":154795,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12774,"identifier":"22","token":"15.2\/II\/22","url":"\/15.2\/II\/22\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12733,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers of Local Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":152369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12733,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":56779,"structure_id":13039,"section_number":"15.2-2223","catch_line":"Comprehensive plan to be prepared and adopted; scope and purpose","url":"\/15.2-2223\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2223","metadata":false},{"id":87087,"structure_id":13039,"section_number":"15.2-2223.1","catch_line":"Comprehensive plan to include urban development areas","url":"\/15.2-2223.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2223.1","metadata":false},{"id":68417,"structure_id":13039,"section_number":"15.2-2223.2","catch_line":"Comprehensive plan to include coastal resource management guidance","url":"\/15.2-2223.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2223.2","metadata":false},{"id":55415,"structure_id":13039,"section_number":"15.2-2223.3","catch_line":"Comprehensive plan shall incorporate strategies to combat projected sea-level rise and recurrent flooding","url":"\/15.2-2223.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2223.3","metadata":false},{"id":72170,"structure_id":13039,"section_number":"15.2-2223.4","catch_line":"Comprehensive plan shall provide for transit-oriented development","url":"\/15.2-2223.4\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2223.4","metadata":false},{"id":84226,"structure_id":13039,"section_number":"15.2-2223.5","catch_line":"Comprehensive plan shall address manufactured housing","url":"\/15.2-2223.5\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2223.5","metadata":false},{"id":81151,"structure_id":13039,"section_number":"15.2-2224","catch_line":" Surveys and studies to be made in preparation of plan; implementation of plan","url":"\/15.2-2224\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2224","metadata":false},{"id":61112,"structure_id":13039,"section_number":"15.2-2225","catch_line":"Notice and hearing on plan; recommendation by local planning commission to governing body; posting of plan on website","url":"\/15.2-2225\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2225","metadata":false},{"id":69001,"structure_id":13039,"section_number":"15.2-2226","catch_line":"Adoption or disapproval of plan by governing body","url":"\/15.2-2226\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2226","metadata":false},{"id":63697,"structure_id":13039,"section_number":"15.2-2227","catch_line":"Return of plan to local planning commission; resubmission","url":"\/15.2-2227\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2227","metadata":false},{"id":74378,"structure_id":13039,"section_number":"15.2-2228","catch_line":"Adoption of parts of plan","url":"\/15.2-2228\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2228","metadata":false},{"id":54102,"structure_id":13039,"section_number":"15.2-2229","catch_line":"Amendments","url":"\/15.2-2229\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2229","metadata":false},{"id":69077,"structure_id":13039,"section_number":"15.2-2230","catch_line":"Plan to be reviewed at least once every five years","url":"\/15.2-2230\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2230","metadata":false},{"id":79536,"structure_id":13039,"section_number":"15.2-2230.1","catch_line":"Public facilities study","url":"\/15.2-2230.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2230.1","metadata":false},{"id":73268,"structure_id":13039,"section_number":"15.2-2231","catch_line":"Inclusion of incorporated towns in county plan; inclusion of adjacent unincorporated territory in municipal plan","url":"\/15.2-2231\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2231","metadata":false},{"id":74569,"structure_id":13039,"section_number":"15.2-2232","catch_line":"Legal status of plan","url":"\/15.2-2232\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2232","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":56779,"structure_id":13039,"section_number":"15.2-2223","catch_line":"Comprehensive plan to be prepared and adopted; scope and purpose","url":"\/15.2-2223\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2223","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":68417,"structure_id":13039,"section_number":"15.2-2223.2","catch_line":"Comprehensive plan to include coastal resource management guidance","url":"\/15.2-2223.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2223.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-2223.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2007. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 896<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2009, chapter 327<\/a>; in 2010, chapters 465<\/a> and 528<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 561<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 192<\/a>, 518<\/a>, 805<\/a>, and 836<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":67178,"section_number":"15.2-2316.2","catch_line":"Localities may provide for transfer of development rights","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-2316.2\/"},{"id":62997,"section_number":"15.2-2320","catch_line":"Impact fee service areas to be established","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-2320\/"},{"id":75538,"section_number":"2.2-229","catch_line":"Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment of the Secretary of Transportation","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-229\/"},{"id":71998,"section_number":"33.2-214.1","catch_line":"Statewide prioritization process for project selection","order_by":null,"url":"\/33.2-214.1\/"},{"id":71190,"section_number":"33.2-353","catch_line":"Commonwealth Transportation Board to develop and update Statewide Transportation Plan","order_by":null,"url":"\/33.2-353\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":154931,"object_type":"law","relational_id":87087,"identifier":"15.2-2223.1","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2223.1","url":"\/15.2-2223.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-2223.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/3\/15.2-2223.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Comprehensive plan to include urban development areas","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-2223.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> For purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Commercial<\/span>” means property devoted to usual and customary business purposes for the sale of goods and services and includes, but is not limited to, retail operations, hotels, motels and offices. “Commercial<\/span>” does not include residential dwelling units, including apartments and condominiums, or agricultural or forestal production, or manufacturing, processing, assembling, storing, warehousing, or distributing.\n\t\t\t“Commission<\/span>” means the Commission<\/span> on Local Government<\/span>.\n\t\t\t“Developable acreage,” solely for the purposes of calculating density within the urban development area<\/span>, means land that is not included in (i) existing parks, rights-of-way of arterial and collector streets<\/span>, railways, and public utilities and (ii) other existing public lands and facilities.\n\t\t\t“Population growth<\/span>” means the difference in population from the next-to-latest to the latest decennial census year, based on population reported by the United States Bureau of the Census. In computing its population growth<\/span>, a locality<\/span> may exclude the inmate population of any new or expanded correctional facility that opened within the time period between the two censuses.\n\t\t\t“Urban development area<\/span>” means an area designated by a locality<\/span> that is (i) appropriate for higher density development due to its proximity to transportation facilities, the availability of a public or community water and sewer system, or a developed area and (ii) to the extent feasible, to be used for redevelopment or infill development. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any locality<\/span> may amend<\/span> its comprehensive plan to incorporate one or more urban development areas<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Urban development areas<\/span> are areas that may be appropriate for development at a density on the developable acreage of at least four single-family residences, six townhouses, or 12 apartments, condominium units, or cooperative units per acre, and an authorized floor area ratio of at least 0.4 per acre for commercial<\/span> development, any proportional combination thereof, or any other combination or arrangement that is adopted by a locality<\/span> in meeting the intent<\/span> of this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The urban development areas<\/span> designated by a locality<\/span> may be sufficient to meet projected residential and commercial<\/span> growth in the locality<\/span> for an ensuing period of at least 10 but not more than 20 years, which may include phasing of development within the urban development areas<\/span>. Where an urban development area<\/span> in a county<\/span> with the urban county<\/span> executive form of government includes planned or existing rail transit, the planning horizon may be for an ensuing period of at least 10 but not more than 40 years. Future residential and commercial<\/span> growth shall be based on official estimates of either the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service of the University of Virginia, the Virginia Employment Commission<\/span>, the United States Bureau of the Census, or other official government projections required for federal transportation planning purposes. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The boundaries and size of each urban development area<\/span> shall be reexamined and, if necessary, revised every five years in conjunction with the review of the comprehensive plan and in accordance with the most recent available population growth<\/span> estimates and projections. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The boundaries of each urban development area<\/span> shall be identified in the locality<\/span>’s comprehensive plan and shall be shown on future land use maps contained in such comprehensive plan. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Urban development areas<\/span>, if designated, shall incorporate principles of traditional neighborhood design, which may include but need not be limited to (i) pedestrian-friendly road design, (ii) interconnection of new local streets<\/span> with existing local streets<\/span> and roads, (iii) connectivity of road and pedestrian networks, (iv) preservation of natural areas, (v) mixed-use neighborhoods, including mixed housing types, with affordable housing to meet the projected family income distributions of future residential growth, (vi) reduction of front and side yard building setbacks, and (vii) reduction of subdivision street<\/span> widths and turning radii at subdivision street<\/span> intersections. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> The comprehensive plan shall describe any financial and other incentives for development in the urban development areas<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> A portion of one or more urban development areas<\/span> may be designated as a receiving area for any transfer of development rights program established by the locality<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> No locality<\/span> that has amended its comprehensive plan in accordance with this section shall limit or prohibit development pursuant to existing zoning<\/span> or shall refuse to consider any application for rezoning based solely on the fact<\/span> that the property is located outside the urban development area<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Localities shall consult with adjacent localities, as well as the relevant planning district commission<\/span> and metropolitan planning organization, in establishing the appropriate size and location of urban development areas<\/span> to promote orderly and efficient development of their region. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Any county<\/span> that amends<\/span> its comprehensive plan pursuant to subsection B may designate one or more urban development areas<\/span> in any incorporated town<\/span> within such county<\/span>, if the council<\/span> of the town<\/span> has also amended its comprehensive plan to designate the same areas as urban development areas<\/span> with at least the same density designated by the county<\/span>. However, if a town<\/span> has established an urban development area<\/span> within its corporate boundaries, the county<\/span> within which the town<\/span> is located shall not include the town<\/span>’s projected population and commercial<\/span> growth when initially determining or reexamining the size and boundary of any other urban development area<\/span> within the county<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> To the extent possible, federal, state and local transportation, housing, water and sewer facility, economic development, and other public infrastructure funding for new and expanded facilities shall be directed to designated urban development areas<\/span> or to such similar areas that accommodate growth in a manner consistent with this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCOMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO INCLUDE URBAN DEVELOPMENT AREAS (\u00a7 15.2-2223.1)\n\nA. For purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Commercial” means property devoted to usual and customary\nbusiness purposes for the sale of goods and services and includes, but is not\nlimited to, retail operations, hotels, motels and offices.\n“Commercial” does not include residential dwelling units, including\napartments and condominiums, or agricultural or forestal production, or\nmanufacturing, processing, assembling, storing, warehousing, or distributing.\n\t\t\t“Commission” means the Commission on Local Government.\n\t\t\t“Developable acreage,” solely for the purposes of calculating\ndensity within the urban development area, means land that is not included in\n(i) existing parks, rights-of-way of arterial and collector streets, railways,\nand public utilities and (ii) other existing public lands and facilities.\n\t\t\t“Population growth” means the difference in population from the\nnext-to-latest to the latest decennial census year, based on population reported\nby the United States Bureau of the Census. In computing its population growth, a\nlocality may exclude the inmate population of any new or expanded correctional\nfacility that opened within the time period between the two censuses.\n\t\t\t“Urban development area” means an area designated by a locality\nthat is (i) appropriate for higher density development due to its proximity to\ntransportation facilities, the availability of a public or community water and\nsewer system, or a developed area and (ii) to the extent feasible, to be used\nfor redevelopment or infill development.\n\nB. Any locality may amend its comprehensive plan to incorporate one or more\nurban development areas.\n\n 1. Urban development areas are areas that may be appropriate for development\n at a density on the developable acreage of at least four single-family\n residences, six townhouses, or 12 apartments, condominium units, or\n cooperative units per acre, and an authorized floor area ratio of at least 0.4\n per acre for commercial development, any proportional combination thereof, or\n any other combination or arrangement that is adopted by a locality in meeting\n the intent of this section.\n\n 2. The urban development areas designated by a locality may be sufficient to\n meet projected residential and commercial growth in the locality for an\n ensuing period of at least 10 but not more than 20 years, which may include\n phasing of development within the urban development areas. Where an urban\n development area in a county with the urban county executive form of\n government includes planned or existing rail transit, the planning horizon may\n be for an ensuing period of at least 10 but not more than 40 years. Future\n residential and commercial growth shall be based on official estimates of\n either the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service of the University of\n Virginia, the Virginia Employment Commission, the United States Bureau of the\n Census, or other official government projections required for federal\n transportation planning purposes.\n\n 3. The boundaries and size of each urban development area shall be reexamined\n and, if necessary, revised every five years in conjunction with the review of\n the comprehensive plan and in accordance with the most recent available\n population growth estimates and projections.\n\n 4. The boundaries of each urban development area shall be identified in the\n locality’s comprehensive plan and shall be shown on future land use maps\n contained in such comprehensive plan.\n\n 5. Urban development areas, if designated, shall incorporate principles of\n traditional neighborhood design, which may include but need not be limited to\n (i) pedestrian-friendly road design, (ii) interconnection of new local streets\n with existing local streets and roads, (iii) connectivity of road and\n pedestrian networks, (iv) preservation of natural areas, (v) mixed-use\n neighborhoods, including mixed housing types, with affordable housing to meet\n the projected family income distributions of future residential growth, (vi)\n reduction of front and side yard building setbacks, and (vii) reduction of\n subdivision street widths and turning radii at subdivision street\n intersections.\n\n 6. The comprehensive plan shall describe any financial and other incentives\n for development in the urban development areas.\n\n 7. A portion of one or more urban development areas may be designated as a\n receiving area for any transfer of development rights program established by\n the locality.\n\nC. No locality that has amended its comprehensive plan in accordance with this\nsection shall limit or prohibit development pursuant to existing zoning or shall\nrefuse to consider any application for rezoning based solely on the fact that\nthe property is located outside the urban development area.\n\nD. Localities shall consult with adjacent localities, as well as the relevant\nplanning district commission and metropolitan planning organization, in\nestablishing the appropriate size and location of urban development areas to\npromote orderly and efficient development of their region.\n\nE. Any county that amends its comprehensive plan pursuant to subsection B may\ndesignate one or more urban development areas in any incorporated town within\nsuch county, if the council of the town has also amended its comprehensive plan\nto designate the same areas as urban development areas with at least the same\ndensity designated by the county. However, if a town has established an urban\ndevelopment area within its corporate boundaries, the county within which the\ntown is located shall not include the town’s projected population and\ncommercial growth when initially determining or reexamining the size and\nboundary of any other urban development area within the county.\n\nF. To the extent possible, federal, state and local transportation, housing,\nwater and sewer facility, economic development, and other public infrastructure\nfunding for new and expanded facilities shall be directed to designated urban\ndevelopment areas or to such similar areas that accommodate growth in a manner\nconsistent with this section.\n\nHISTORY: 2007, c. 896; 2009, c. 327; 2010, cc. 465, 528; 2011, c. 561; 2012, cc.\n192, 518, 805, 836.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}