CHAPTER 543

An Act to amend and reenact § 15.1-491, as amended, of the Code of
Virginia, relating to permitted provisions in zoning ordinances,
amendments to zoning regulations, and district maps; special excep-
tions; petitions by property owners or their agents.

[S 451]

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, county or town may reserve unto itself
the right to issue such special exception or use permit.

(d) For the administration and enforcement of the ordinance in-
cluding the appointment or designation of a zoning administrator who
may also hold another office in the county or municipality. The zoning
administrator shall have all necessary authority on behalf of the govern-
ing body to administer and enforce the zoning ordinance, including the
ordering in writing of the remedying of any condition found in violation
of the ordinance, and the bringing of legal action to insure compliance
with the ordinance, 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 pun-
ishable by a fine of not less than ten dollars nor more than two hundred
fifty dollars.

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

(zg) 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
boundaries, or classifications of property. Any such amendment may be
initiated by resolution of the governing body, or by motion of the local
commission, or by petition of any property owner addressed to the govern-
ing 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 recon-
sidered within a specific period, not exceeding one year.

(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
corporation owning such land, or partnership, or whether a member of
the immediate household of any member of the commission or governing
body has any such interest.