CHAPTER 595

An Act to amend and reenact § 15.1-491, as amended, of the Code of
Virginia, relating to permitted provisions in zoning ordinances and
amendments of regulations, district boundaries or classifications of

property.
[H 643]
Approved April 4, 1968

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 15.1-491, as amended, of the Code of Virginia be amended
and reenacted as follows:

§ 15.1-491. Permitted provisions in ordinances; amendments.—A
zoning ordinance may include, among other things, reasonable regulations
and provisions as to any or all of the following matters:

(a) For variations in or exceptions to the general regulations in any
district in cases of unusual situations or to ease the transition from one
district to another or for buildings, structures or uses having special
requirements.

(b) For the temporary application of the ordinance to any property
coming into the territorial jurisdiction of the governing body by annexa-
tion or otherwise, subsequent to the adoption of the zoning ordinance, and
pending the orderly amendment of the ordinance.

(c) For the granting of special exceptions under suitable regulations
and safeguards; and notwithstanding any other provision of this article,
the governing body of any city may reserve unto itself the right to issue
such special exception or use permit.

(d) For the administration and enforcement of the ordinance includ-
ing the appointment or designation of a zoning administrator who may
also hold another office in the county or municipality. The zoning admin-
istrator shall have all necessary authority on behalf of the governing body
to administer and enforce the zoning ordinance, including the ordering in
writing of the remedying of any condition found in violation of the ordi-
nance, and the bringing of legal action to insure compliance with the ordi-
nance, including injunction, abatement, or other appropriate action or
proceeding.

(e) For the imposition of penalties upon conviction of any violation
of the zoning ordinance. Any such violation shall be a misdemeanor punish-
able by a fine of not less than ten dollars nor more than two hundred fifty

ollars.

(f) For the collection of fees to cover the cost of making inspections,
issuing permits, advertising or notices and other expenses incident to the
administration of a zoning ordinance or to the filing or processing of any
appeal or amendment thereto.

(¢g) For the amendment of the regulations or district maps from time
to time, or for their repeal. Whenever the public necessity. convenience,
general welfare, or good zoning practice require, the governing body may
by ordinance, amend, supplement, or change the regulations, district boun-
daries, or classifications of property. Any such amendment may be initiated
by resolution of the governing body, or by motion of the local commis-
sion, or by petition of any property owner addressed to the governing
body; provided, that the ordinance may provide for the consideration of
proposed amendments only at specified intervals of time, and may further
provide that substantially the same petition will not be reconsidered
within a specific period, not exceeding one year; provided, however, that
in any county having a population of more than two hundred and twenty
thousand such ordinance may provide that not exceeding fifteen months
may elapse before a rehearing on the same petition.

(h) For the submission and approval of a plan of development prior
to the issuance of building permits to assure compliance with regulations
contained in such zoning ordinance.

The ordinance may also provide that petitions brought by property
owners or their agents shall be sworn to under oath before a notary public
or other official before whom oaths may be taken, stating whether or not
any member of the local commission or governing body has any interest
in such property, either individually, by ownership of stock in a corpora-
tion owning such land, or partnership, or whether a member of the imme-
diate household of any member of the commission or governing body has
any such interest.