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To declare a public necessity to amend ch. 30 of the City Code and to initiate an amendment to the City’s zoning ordinance to make such lawful changes as may be necessary to establish a civil penalty for the razing, demolition, or moving of a building or structure that is located in a City old and historic district in violation of the City’s zoning ordinance, as authorized by Va. Code § 15.2-2306(F).
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WHEREAS, section 15.2-2286 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, provides that a zoning ordinance may include, among other things, reasonable regulations and provisions for the amendment of regulations or district maps from time to time; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with section 15.2-2286 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, such amendment may be initiated by resolution of the governing body, provided that any such resolution by the governing body proposing an amendment to the regulations or district maps shall state the public purposes therefor; and
WHEREAS, the razing, demolition, or moving of a building or structure located in an old and historic district without approval of the Commission of Architectural Review or as otherwise permitted under the City’s zoning ordinance is a serious offense and something that cannot be undone after the fact; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Richmond therefore believes that the City’s zoning ordinance, codified as Chapter 30 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, should be amended to establish a civil penalty for the razing, demolition, or moving of a building or structure that is located in an old and historic district in violation of such zoning ordinance in accordance with section 15.2-2306(F) of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended; and
WHEREAS, the Council believes that it is in the best interests of the citizens of the City of Richmond that the City amend its zoning ordinance, codified as Chapter 30 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, to make such lawful changes as may be necessary to establish a civil penalty for the razing, demolition, or moving of a building or structure that is located in an old and historic district in violation of such zoning ordinance in accordance with section 15.2-2306(F) of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:
That the City Council hereby declares that the public necessity, convenience, general welfare and good zoning practices of the City require the initiation of an amendment to the zoning ordinance set forth in Chapter 30 of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, hereinafter referred to as the “Zoning Ordinance,” to make such lawful changes as may be necessary to establish a civil penalty for the razing, demolition, or moving of a building or structure that is located in an old and historic district in violation of the Zoning Ordinance in accordance with section 15.2-2306(F) of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That, pursuant to section 15.2-2286 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, the City Council hereby initiates an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to establish, to the extent permitted by law, a civil penalty for the razing, demolition, or moving of a building or structure that is located in an old and historic district in violation of the Zoning Ordinance in accordance with section 15.2-2306(F) of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the City Planning Commission is hereby directed to hold a public hearing on any such proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance and submit its recommendation and any explanatory materials to the City Council as soon as practicable.
DATE: October 3, 2025
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: RJ Warren, Council Chief of Staff
THROUGH: Will Perkins, Senior Legislative Services Manager
FROM: The Honorable Katherine Jordan, Councilmember 2nd District
RE: To declare a public necessity to amend ch. 30 of the City Code and to initiate an amendment to the City’s zoning ordinance to make such lawful changes as may be necessary to establish a civil penalty for the razing, demolition, or moving of historic landmark as authorized by Va. Code § 15.2-2306(F).
CNL-2025-0047
PURPOSE: This resolution declares a public necessity to amend chapter 30 of the City Code and to initiate an amendment to the City’s zoning ordinance to make such lawful changes as may be necessary to establish a civil penalty for the razing, demolition, or moving of historic landmark as authorized by Va. Code § 15.2-2306(F). Virginia Code § 15.2-2306(F) allows such civil penalty to be up to twice the market value of the building or structure based on the assessed value at the time of its being razed, demolished, or moved.
BACKGROUND: This resolution is a companion to Ord. 2025-_____ which takes advantage of expanded authority granted to localities from the General Assembly to increase fines for unpermitted demolition of contributing historic structures within the City’s Old & Historic Districts.
The City of Richmond Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan (attached), included adoption of this change as one of its “Big Moves” to help conserve historic resources. The Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan is a first of its kind comprehensive historic preservation planning initiative, and an outgrowth of the Richmond 300 Masterplan. Both plans were deeply community-informed, and the anti-demolition provision in particular has garnered widespread attention and support from the Richmond community.
Enhanced fines will provide a more effective deterrent against the willful or negligent unpermitted demolition of contributing historic structures throughout our City's Old and Historic Districts.
This problem is not theoretical: in 2023, historic 100 year-old storefronts in Church Hill were torn down without the necessary permits and approvals from the Commission of Architectural Review, and the City at the time was only able to levy a $200 fine. This was the precipitating event that led Delegate Delores McQuinn to champion and introduce the attendant enabling legislation (HB1415) in 2024, which passed with bipartisan support in the General Assembly.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The City of Richmond Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan (published April 2025), included adoption of this change as one of its “Big Moves” to help conserve historic resources. The Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan is a first of its kind comprehensive historic preservation planning initiative, and an outgrowth of the Richmond 300 Masterplan. Both plans were deeply community-informed, and the anti-demolition provision in particular has garnered widespread attention and support from the Richmond community.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan; Richmond 300 Masterplan
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon Adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: October 14, 2025
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: November 10, 2025
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing, and Transportation
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Department of Planning and Development Review
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: N/A
ATTACHMENTS: “City of Richmond Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan”
STAFF: Will Perkins, Senior Legislative Services Manager, (804-382-7811)