CERTIFICATE OF ZONING COMPLIANCE

Richmond, Va., City Code ch. 30, art. X, div. 3

in effect

Richmond, Va., City Code § 30-1020 Required.

Sec. 30-1020. - Required. It shall be unlawful for any person to use or to permit the use of any building, structure or premises or portion thereof, other than an existing single-family dwelling, unless a certificate of zoning compliance for such building, structure or premises or portion thereof shall have been approved by the Zoning Administrator as required by this article. It shall also be unlawful for any person to construct or erect any building or structure which is exempt from application for a building permit under the provisions of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and which is three feet or greater in height, unless a certificate of zoning compliance for such building or structure has been approved by the Zoning Administrator. However, a certificate of zoning compliance shall not be required for fences, walls, poles, posts and other customary yard ornaments and accessories which are exempt from application for a building permit and which are permitted by the provisions of this chapter. The certificate of zoning compliance shall certify that the building, structure or premises and the use thereof comply with the applicable sections of this chapter. No certificate of zoning compliance shall be issued for any development within a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area until all requirements of Chapter 14, Article IV and the approved Chesapeake Bay Site Plan have been met. (Code 1993, § 32-1020; Code 2004, § 114-1020; Code 2015, § 30-1020; Code 2020, § 30-1020; Ord. No. 2004-333-323, § 1, 12-13-2004; Ord. No. 2004-349-327, § 1, 12-13-2004)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 30-1020.1 Plans to accompany application.

Sec. 30-1020.1. - Plans to accompany application. All applications for certificates of zoning compliance shall be accompanied by such plans, specifications, site plans, and such additional information as required by the Zoning Administrator in order to determine compliance with this chapter. (Code 1993, § 32-1020.1; Code 2004, § 114-1020.1; Code 2015, § 30-1020.1; Code 2020, § 30-1020.1)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 30-1020.2 Transferability.

Sec. 30-1020.2. - Transferability. A certificate of zoning compliance shall not be transferable to any person. Any new tenant or new owner of such building, structure or premises shall make application for a new certificate of zoning compliance. New occupants of single-family dwellings or single dwelling or lodging units shall be exempt from the requirements of this division. (Code 1993, § 32-1020.2; Code 2004, § 114-1020.2; Code 2015, § 30-1020.2; Code 2020, § 30-1020.2)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 30-1020.3 Issuance.

Sec. 30-1020.3. - Issuance. No certificate of zoning compliance shall be issued by the Zoning Administrator unless the Zoning Administrator is satisfied, after inspection of the building, structure or premises involved, that all applicable sections of this chapter are met. Within two working days after the filing of an application for a certificate of zoning compliance or a letter of zoning confirmation, the Zoning Administrator shall cause such application to be published on the City's website. Within two working days after the Zoning Administrator issues a certificate of zoning compliance or a letter of zoning confirmation, the Zoning Administrator shall cause such certificate of zoning compliance or letter of zoning confirmation to be published on the City's website. (Code 1993, § 32-1020.3; Code 2004, § 114-1020.3; Code 2015, § 30-1020.3; Code 2020, § 30-1020.3; Ord. No. 2018-276, § 1, 12-17-2018)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 30-1020.4 Fee for filing an application for certificate of zoning compliance.

Sec. 30-1020.4. - Fee for filing an application for certificate of zoning compliance. (a) A fee shall accompany each certificate of zoning compliance application for the respective use, which fee shall be paid into the City treasury. The fees shall be as follows: (1) | Portable storage unit or building or structure less than or equal to 100 square feet for which no building permit is required | $50.00 (2) | Portable storage unit or building or structure greater than 100 square feet for which no building permit is required | $100.00 (3) | One or two dwelling units | $100.00 (4) | Three to 12 dwelling units | $200.00 (5) | Day nursery or home occupation | $50.00 (6) | Church or other place of worship or private school | $200.00 (7) | Wireless communications facility | $500.00 (8) | Short-term rental, valid for two years | $600.00 (9) | Other uses, less than or equal to 5,000 square feet | $300.00 (10) | Other uses, greater than 5,000 square feet | $600.00 (b) Approval of a certificate of zoning compliance shall not be granted until satisfactory evidence has been presented to the Zoning Administrator that any delinquent real estate taxes applicable to the subject property have been paid. (Code 1993, § 32-1020.4; Code 2004, § 114-1020.4; Code 2015, § 30-1020.4; Code 2020, § 30-1020.4; Ord. No. 2010-237-2011-16, § 1, 1-24-2011; Ord. No. 2015-80-74, § 2, 5-11-2015; Ord. No. 2018-089, § 1, 5-14-2018; Ord. No. 2020-079, § 2, 5-11-2020; Ord. No. 2023-235, § 2, 9-25-2023; Ord. No. 2024-099, § III(§ 14), 5-13-2024)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 30-1020.5 Fee for zoning confirmation letter.

Sec. 30-1020.5. - Fee for zoning confirmation letter. A fee shall accompany each request for a letter of zoning compliance for the respective use, which fee shall be paid into the City treasury. The fees shall be as follows: (1) | One or two dwelling units | $100.00 (2) | $200.00 (3) | Day nursery or home occupation | $50.00 (4) | Church or other place of worship or private school | $200.00 (5) | Other uses, less than or equal to 5,000 square feet | $300.00 (6) | Other uses, greater than 5,000 square feet | $600.00 (7) | Buildable lot letter | $300.00 (8) | Additional fee for filing an expedited application for a letter of zoning compliance for any use, which shall be processed within five business days | $600.00 (Code 1993, § 32-1020.5; Code 2004, § 114-1020.5; Code 2015, § 30-1020.5; Code 2020, § 30-1020.5; Ord. No. 2010-237-2011-16, § 1, 1-24-2011; Ord. No. 2018-089, § 1, 5-14-2018; Ord. No. 2024-099, § III(§ 14), 5-13-2024)

Source: City of Richmond, Virginia, Code (2026 recodification) and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/va/richmond/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CH30ZO_ARTXADEN_DIV3CEZOCOFetched: 11/8/2026