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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>75113</law_id><section_number>15.2-2297</section_number><catch_line>Same; conditions as part of a rezoning or amendment to zoning map</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>15.2-2209.1</reference><reference>15.2-2209.1:1</reference><reference>15.2-2222.1</reference><reference>15.2-2272</reference><reference>15.2-2298</reference><reference>15.2-2302</reference><reference>15.2-2303.4</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="15.2">Counties, Cities and Towns</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="II">Powers of Local Government</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="22">Planning, Subdivision of Land and Zoning</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="7">Zoning</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> A <span class="dictionary">zoning</span> <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> may include and provide for the voluntary proffering in writing, by the owner, of reasonable conditions, prior to a public <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> before the <span class="dictionary">governing body</span>, in addition to the regulations provided for the <span class="dictionary">zoning</span> district or zone by the <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span>, as a part of a rezoning or amendment to a <span class="dictionary">zoning</span> map; provided that (i) the rezoning itself must give rise for the need for the conditions; (ii) the conditions shall have a reasonable relation to the rezoning; (iii) the conditions shall not include a cash contribution to the <span class="dictionary">locality</span>; (iv) the conditions shall not include mandatory dedication of real or personal property for open space, parks, schools, fire departments or other public facilities not otherwise provided for in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Mandatory provisions of a subdivision ordinance" href="/15.2-2241/">15.2-2241</a>; (v) the conditions shall not include a requirement that the applicant create a property owners&#x2019; association under the Property Owners&#x2019; Association Act (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/55.1-1800/">55.1-1800</a> et seq.) which includes an express further condition that members of a property owners&#x2019; association pay an assessment for the maintenance of public facilities owned in fee by a public entity, including open space, parks, schools, fire departments and other public facilities not otherwise provided for in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Mandatory provisions of a subdivision ordinance" href="/15.2-2241/">15.2-2241</a>; however, such facilities shall not include sidewalks, special <span class="dictionary">street</span> signs or markers, or special <span class="dictionary">street</span> lighting in public rights-of-way not maintained by the Department of Transportation; (vi) the conditions shall not include payment for or construction of off-site improvements except those provided for in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Mandatory provisions of a subdivision ordinance" href="/15.2-2241/">15.2-2241</a>; (vii) no condition shall be proffered that is not related to the physical <span class="dictionary">development</span> or physical operation of the property; and (viii) all such conditions shall be in conformity with the comprehensive plan as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Comprehensive plan to be prepared and adopted; scope and purpose" href="/15.2-2223/">15.2-2223</a>. The <span class="dictionary">governing body</span> may also accept amended proffers once the public <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> has begun if the amended proffers do not materially affect the overall proposal. Once proffered and accepted as part of an amendment to the <span class="dictionary">zoning</span> <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span>, the conditions shall continue in effect until a subsequent amendment changes the <span class="dictionary">zoning</span> on the property covered by the conditions. However, the conditions shall continue if the subsequent amendment is part of a comprehensive implementation of a new or substantially revised <span class="dictionary">zoning</span> <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span>. <a id="paragraph-269795" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-2297/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> In the event proffered conditions include a requirement for the dedication of real property of substantial value or construction of substantial public improvements, the need for which is not generated solely by the rezoning itself, then no amendments to the <span class="dictionary">zoning</span> map for the property subject to such conditions, nor the conditions themselves, nor any amendments to the text of the <span class="dictionary">zoning</span> <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> with respect to the <span class="dictionary">zoning</span> district applicable thereto initiated by the <span class="dictionary">governing body</span>, which eliminate, or materially restrict, reduce, or modify the uses, the floor area ratio, or the density of use permitted in the <span class="dictionary">zoning</span> district applicable to such property, shall be effective with respect to such property unless there has been mistake, <span class="dictionary">fraud</span>, or a change in circumstances substantially affecting the public health, safety, or welfare. <a id="paragraph-269796" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-2297/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Any landowner who has prior to July 1, 1990, proffered the dedication of real property of substantial value or construction of substantial public improvements, the need for which is not generated solely by the rezoning itself, but who has not substantially implemented such proffers prior to July 1, 1990, shall advise the local <span class="dictionary">governing body</span> by certified mail prior to July 1, 1991, that he intends to proceed with the implementation of such proffers. The notice shall identify the property to be developed, the <span class="dictionary">zoning</span> district, and the proffers applicable thereto. Thereafter, any landowner giving such notice shall have until July 1, 1995, substantially to implement the proffers, or such later time as the <span class="dictionary">governing body</span> may allow. Thereafter, the landowner in good faith shall diligently pursue the completion of the <span class="dictionary">development</span> of the property.
			Any landowner who complies with the requirements of this subsection shall be entitled to the protection against action initiated by the <span class="dictionary">governing body</span> affecting use, floor area ratio, and density set out in subsection B, unless there has been mistake, <span class="dictionary">fraud</span>, or a change in circumstances substantially affecting the public health, safety, or welfare, but any landowner failing to comply with the requirements of this subsection shall acquire no rights pursuant to this section. <a id="paragraph-269797" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-2297/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The provisions of subsections B and C of this section shall be effective prospectively only, and not retroactively, and shall not apply to any <span class="dictionary">zoning</span> <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> text amendments which may have been enacted prior to March 10, 1990. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to affect any <span class="dictionary">litigation</span> pending prior to July 1, 1990, or any such <span class="dictionary">litigation</span> nonsuited and thereafter refiled.
			Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect or impair the authority of a <span class="dictionary">governing body</span> to: <a id="paragraph-269798" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-2297/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Accept proffered conditions which include provisions for timing or phasing of dedications, payments, or improvements; or <a id="paragraph-269799" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-2297/#D1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Accept or impose valid conditions pursuant to subdivision A 3 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Permitted provisions in zoning ordinances; amendments; applicant to pay delinquent taxes; penalties" href="/15.2-2286/">15.2-2286</a> or other provision of <span class="dictionary">law</span>. <a id="paragraph-269800" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-2297/#D2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1978, c. 320, &#xA7; 15.1-491.2; 1982, c. 293; 1990, c. 868; 1997, c. 587; 2001, c. 703; 2006, c. 450.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
