Subdivision Regulations

The City's Subdivision Ordinance was adopted by the City Council on April 8, 1975, with amendments thereafter. It contains definitions and requirements for the subdivision of any parcel of land into two (2) or more parcels. Procedures for submission of preliminary subdivision documents, construction plans for subdivision improvements, preliminary and final plats and boundary adjustments are in the subdivision ordinance. Design standards for streets, blocks, lots and general public improvements required under the subdivision process are also found in the ordinance.

Chesapeake Bay Overlay District

The City of Colonial Heights falls into the "Tidewater" region of the State for purposes of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. As such, the City has adopted a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Overlay District to:

A. Protect existing high-quality state waters;
B. Restore all other state waters to a condition of quality that will permit all reasonable public uses and will support the propagation and growth of all aquatic life, including game fish, which might reasonably be expected to inhabit the waters;
C. Safeguard the clean waters of the commonwealth from pollution;
D. Prevent any increase in pollution;
E. Reduce existing pollution;
F. Promote water resource conservation in order to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the present and future citizens of the City of Colonial Heights.

The Overlay District is in addition to and overlays all other zoning districts where they are applied so that any parcel of land lying in the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Overlay District shall also lie in one (1) or more of the other zoning districts.

The Chesapeake Bay Preservation Overlay District shall apply to all lands identified as CBPA's as designated by the City Council and as shown on the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Maps dated July 1, 1990, adopted September 12, 1990.

The two (2) areas identified on these maps include a Resource Protection Area (RPA), which includes tidal wetlands, non-tidal wetlands connected by surface flow and contiguous to tidal wetlands or tributary streams, tidal shores and a 100 foot vegetated buffer area located adjacent to and landward of the those areas mentioned above and along both sides of any tributary stream.

A Resource Management Area (RMA) is composed of concentrations of the following land categories: floodplains; highly erodible soils (where mapped), including steep slopes; highly permeable soils (where mapped); non-tidal wetlands not included in the RPA; other lands necessary to protect the quality of state waters.

Questions regarding the interpretation and administration of this ordinance shall be directed to (804) 520-9275.