§ 31-16. R-2 Multiple-Family Residential District.

(a)

Purpose of the District: The intent of this district is to encourage variety in housing types and provide for residential densities appropriate for apartment or townhouse developments in areas suitably located for such use due to the availability of public water and sewerage facilities and the area's locational aspects with respect to major roads, shopping facilities, and places of employment. Uses such as schools, parks, churches, and certain public facilities that serve the residents of the district are made conditional on review of the governing body to ensure compatibility.

(b)

Permitted uses: A building or land shall be used only for the following purposes:

(1)

Any use permitted in the R-1 district, excluding detached single-family dwellings and residential human care facilities.

(2)

Two-family dwellings.

(3)

Townhouses.

(4)

Multiple-family dwellings.

(c)

Permitted accessory uses: Accessory uses customarily incidental to a permitted principal or conditional use on the same lot therewith, including:

(1)

Domestic storage in main building or in an attached accessory building.

(2)

Attached private garage or carport.

(3)

Home occupations in a main building of a townhouse only. (See article VI for supplementary regulations.)

(4)

Storage of a boat trailer, boat, or an unoccupied travel trailer in a special section of the required parking lot only.

(5)

Swimming pools, recreational and athletic facilities, community buildings and other similar and related improvements for the common use of occupants of the development and their guests.

(6)

Signs, as regulated by article VI.

(7)

Temporary buildings, the use of which are incidental to construction operations during development being conducted on the same or adjoining tract, provided that such buildings shall be removed upon completion or abandonment of such construction.

(8)

Accessory off-street parking and loading spaces.

(9)

An office located in a main building for administration of a multiple-family development containing ten (10) or more dwelling units.

(10)

A laundry room for use of occupants of a multiple-family dwelling development.

(d)

Conditional uses: The following uses may be permitted as conditional uses if approved by the governing body in accordance with the procedures, guides, and standards of section 31-54.1:

(1)

Business or professional office buildings.

(2)

Churches and other places of worship.

(3)

Clinic or medical office buildings.

(4)

Hospitals and sanitariums, but not animal hospitals.

(5)

Institutions, educational or philanthropic, including museums, art galleries, and libraries.

(6)

Nursery schools, child care centers, kindergartens and family day homes serving six (6) to twelve (12) children.

(7)

Public or governmental buildings and uses, including schools, fire and police stations, parks, playgrounds, and administrative buildings.

(8)

Public utilities or public service uses, buildings, generating or treatment plants, pumping or regulator stations, and substations.

(e)

Area regulations: Every building or group of buildings shall be located on a lot having at least the area, density, and width as prescribed below:

		Minimum Total Lot Area	Square Feet Per Family Lot Area	Maximum Density Per Gross Acre	Minimum Feet Lot Width
(1)	Two-family dwelling	10,000	5,000	—	70
(2)	Multiple-family dwelling	12,000	2,000	—	90
(3)	Townhouse	—	1,800	10	20

 

See subsection (i) below for special regulations on townhouses.

(f)

Yard requirements:

				Minimum in Feet
			Front Yard	Side Yard Minimum	Side Yard Aggregate	Rear Yard
(1)	Two-family dwelling		30	10	25	30
(2)	Multiple-family dwelling
	a.	1, 2, 2½ stories	30	15	30	35
	b.	3 stories	30	20	40	40
(3)	Townhouses		20	10	20	25

 

See article VI, section 31-30, "Special height and yard regulations."

(g)

Height requirements:

	Maximum Height
(1) Permitted uses and all other structures not specifically exempted in article VI	3 stories but not to exceed 45 feet.

 

(h)

Common areas: All lands in common open space, not a part of individual lots, and all private streets, driveways, uses, facilities, and buildings or portions thereof as may be provided for the common use, benefit, and/or enjoyment of the occupants of the development shall be maintained by and be the sole responsibility of the developer-owner of the development until such time as the developer-owner provides for and establishes a nonprofit organization or other legal entity under the laws of Virginia composed of all persons having ownership within the development, such organization being responsible for the perpetuation, maintenance, and function of all common lands, uses and facilities.

(i)

Special regulations for townhouses:

(1)

The dwelling units and individual lots of a townhouse development may be sold separately if separate utility systems are provided and if separate lots for all dwelling units in a building are created at the same time and in conformance with the subdivision ordinance. ^[2]

(2)

For the purpose of the side yard regulations, a townhouse building shall be considered as one building on one lot with side yards required for end units only. Lot width for end units shall be adequate to provide required front and side yards.

(3)

No detached garage or carport or other detached unscreened accessory building shall be permitted on a lot occupied by a townhouse.

(4)

There shall be no more than ten (10) townhouse dwelling units continuously connected.

(5)

The facades of dwelling units in a townhouse development shall be varied by changed front yards of not less than three (3) feet and variation in materials or design so that no more than three (3) abutting units will have the same front yard depth and the same or essentially the same architectural treatment of facades and roof lines.

(6)

A site plan complying with the requirements of this chapter shall accompany an application for approval of a townhouse development.

(j)

Other applicable requirements:

(1)

Article VI: Supplementary Regulations.

(2)

Article VII: Site Plan Review Requirements.

(Ord. No. 83-1700-216, Ex. A, § 3, 4-5-83; Ord. No. 83-1700-225, 10-18-83; Ord. No. 01-1700-652, § 1, 2-6-01; Ord. No. 11-1700-903, § 5, 5-24-11)

Footnotes:

--- (2) ---

Cross reference— Subdivision ordinance, Ch. 21.