CUP | Last Revised September 12, 2016 | CITY OF RICHMOND 1
Application for: COMMUNITY UNIT PLAN
Department of Planning and Development Review
Land Use Administration Division
900 E. Broad Street, Room 511
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 646-6304
http://www.richmondgov.com/
Application is hereby submitted for: (check one)
preliminary plan Final Plan
preliminary plan admendment Final Plan Admenment
Project Name/Location
Property Address:________________________________________________Date:
Tax Map #: Fee:
Total area of aected site in acres:
(See page 7 for fee schedule, please make check payable to the City of Richmond”)
Zoning
Current Zoning:
Existing Use:
Proposed Use
(Please include a detailed description of the proposed use in the required applicant’s report)
Existing Use:
Is this property subject to any previous land use cases?
Yes No
If Yes, please list the Ordinance Number:
Applicant/Contact Person: _____________________________________________________________
Company:
Mailing Address:
City: ____________________________________________ State: ________ Zip Code:
Telephone: _(_______)_____________________________ Fax: _(_______)______________________
Email:
Property Owner:
If Business Entity, name and title of authorized signee:
(The person or persons executing or attesting the execution of this Application on behalf of the Company certifies that he or
she has or have been duly authorized and empowered to so execute or attest.)
Mailing Address: ______________________________________________________________________
City: ___________________________________________ State: ________ Zip Code: _____________
Telephone: _(_______)_____________________________ Fax: _(_______)______________________
Email:
Property Owner Signature:
The names, addresses, telephone numbers and signatures of all owners of the property are required. Please attach additional
sheets as needed. If a legal representative signs for a property owner, please attach an executed power of attorney. Faxed or
photocopied signatures will not be accepted.
NOTE: Please attach the required plans, checklist, and a check for the application fee (see Filing Procedures for community unit plans)
2 CITY OF RICHMOND | CUP | Last Revised September 12, 2016
Review & Approval Process For:
COMMUNITY UNIT PLAN
The owner of any tract of land situated in any zoning district and which comprises not less than ten
contiguous acres in area, except for intervening public streets and alleys, may submit to a community
unit plan for the use and development of such land in a manner that does not conform with the
regulations and restrictions prescribed for the zoning district in which such tract is situated.
Community unit plan applications are broken into two phases of review and approval; preliminary plan
and final plan. The preliminary plan requires review and approval by the City Planning Commission
and the City Council in the form of an ordinance. After approval of a preliminary community unit plan
by the City Council and within a period of time specified in the ordinance adopting such plan, a final
plan indicating in detail the proposed layout of the site and character of improvements thereon must
be approved by the planning commission.
Applicants must schedule a pre-application conference with the Division of Land Use Administration
sta to review related Master Plan, land use and other issues that may be involved prior to making
application. Please call (804) 646-6304 to schedule an appointment with the sta. Sta will review
submitted applications to ensure all required materials and information are provided. If the application
is not acceptable, the required information must be provided prior to formal sta review.
Preliminary plan review & approval process: Applicants should discuss the proposed preliminary plan
application with area civic associations, property owners, residents, and the area Council
Representative prior to submitting an application. Letters from the associations and property owners
stating their position in regards to the request should be submitted with the application.
A preliminary plan application must contain the following information:
The maximum number of dwelling units and maximum amount of commercial and residential
floor area proposed;
The general character and location of all buildings, structures and open spaces;
The general location of all means of ingress and egress and areas for the parking and
circulation of vehicles;
The specific features of the plan which are intended to ensure compatibility with adjacent
development; and
A report showing how the plan meets the criteria set forth in §30-456.4 of the City Code. It
must be shown that the use of the land and the design, construction, maintenance and
operation of the structures, facilities and appurtenances proposed will adequately safeguard
the health, safety and welfare of the occupants of the adjoining and surrounding property; will
not unreasonably impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent property; will not
unreasonably increase congestion in streets; will not unreasonably increase public danger from
fire or otherwise unreasonably aect public safety; and will not diminish or impair the
established values of property in surrounding areas.
Once a complete application is received, the Division of Land Use Administration circulates the
application materials to appropriate City agencies as determined necessary. City agencies reviewing
the proposal may include: Public Works, Building Permits & Inspections, Public Utilities, Water
Resources, Zoning Administration, and Fire and Emergency Services. The Division of Land Use
Administration will coordinate responses by City agencies. Written comments will be provided
generally within 30 days of the application submittal date.
After review by these agencies and by the Division of Land Use Administration, the sta will confer
with the applicant regarding suggested conditions to be included in the ordinance and any suggested
changes to the plans. Once the plans are in final form, an ordinance is drafted and the plans are
attached to and are made a part of the ordinance. The sta will forward a copy of the ordinance to
the applicant for review and approval.
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CUP | Last Revised September 12, 2016 | CITY OF RICHMOND 3
Review & Approval Process For:
COMMUNITY UNIT PLAN
The proposed preliminary plan is then scheduled for a public hearing in front of the Planning
Commission. Public notice of the hearing is posted on the site and in a daily newspaper. Notices are
also mailed to the owners of all properties within 150 feet of the subject property. After receiving a
report from the Department of Planning and Development Review and holding a public hearing, the
Planning Commission considers the proposed preliminary plan and takes action on the plan by formal
resolution. When the Planning Commission approves a preliminary plan, it forwards its resolution,
together with its finding of fact, to the City Council.
The proposed ordinance authorizing the preliminary plan is then reviewed by the City Attorney’s
oce and the City Administration. Once their review is complete, the ordinance is introduced to City
Council and a public hearing in front of City Council s scheduled, usually thirty days after introduction.
During this thirty-day period, public notice of the hearing is again posted on the site and in a daily
newspaper. Notices are also again mailed to the owners of all properties within 150 feet of the subject
property.
In general, the approval process for preliminary plans takes between 120 to 180 days. However,
depending on the complexity of the proposed plan, more or less time may be required. Incomplete
submissions or major modifications to the plan during the review process may cause delays in the
schedule.
Final plan review & approval process: After approval of a preliminary plan by City Council and
within a period of time specified in the ordinance adopting such plan, a final plan indicating in detail
the proposed layout of the site and character of improvements thereon must be submitted for review
and approval by the Planning Commission.
As with the preliminary plan, the final plan must that the requirements of §30-456.4 of the City Code.
It must be shown that the use of the land and the design, construction, maintenance and operation
of the structures, facilities and appurtenances proposed will adequately safeguard the health, safety
and welfare of the occupants of the adjoining and surrounding property; will not unreasonably impair
an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent property; will not unreasonably increase congestion in
streets; will not unreasonably increase public danger from fire or otherwise unreasonably aect public
safety; and will not diminish or impair the established values of property in surrounding areas.
The final plan must include enough detail to show that it is consistent with objectives of the
preliminary plan as adopted by City Council and not in conflict with any conditions specified by City
Council. The Planning Commission cannot approve the final plan if revisions subsequent to City
Council approval have resulted in an increase in the number of dwelling units or amount of residential
or commercial floor area, or in any greater deviation from the zoning district regulations than
proposed in the preliminary plan.
Once a complete application is received, the Division of Land Use Administration circulates the
application materials to appropriate City agencies as determined necessary. City agencies reviewing
the proposal may include: Public Works, Building Permits & Inspections, Public Utilities, Water
Resources, Zoning Administration, and Fire and Emergency Services. The Division of Land Use
Administration will coordinate responses by City agencies. Written comments will be provided
generally within 30 days of the application submittal date.
After review by these agencies and by the Division of Land Use Administration, the proposed final
plan is then scheduled for consideration by the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission
considers the proposed final plan and takes action on the plan by formal resolution. Once the final
plan is approved, application for building permits must be made within a period of time specified in
the resolution.
4 CITY OF RICHMOND | CUP | Last Revised September 12, 2016
FILING
Community Unit Plan applications are filed with the:
Department of Planning and Development Review
Land Use Administration Division, Room 511
City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219
Telephone (804) 646-6304
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
The application for a community unit plans must include the following, each part of which is explained
below. Application must be submitted in an electronic format (PDF).
1. Application form, including a completed checklist;
2. Application fee;
3. Application report;
4. PDF of plans;
5. Survey plat.
Application Form: All the owners of the property must sign the application form. If a legal
representative signs for a property owner, a copy of an executed power of attorney is required.
Faxed or photocopied signatures will not be accepted.
Application Fee: The appropriate fee must accompany the application. Checks should be
made payable to the “City of Richmond”. The fees are determined from the following
schedule:
*$100 for each acre or fraction thereof over the first ten acres (fee is not prorated by acreage)
Applicant’s Report: A written report must be submitted describing the proposed use. The
report should point out the specific features of the plan that will ensure that it will be
compatible with the surrounding area, and that it is an appropriate use for the site. In addition,
§30-456.4 of the City Code requires that it must be shown that the use of the land and the
design, construction, maintenance and operation of the structures, facilities and appurtenances
proposed will do the following:
Will adequately safeguard the health, safety and welfare of the occupants of the
adjoining and surrounding property;
Will not unreasonably impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent property;
Will not unreasonably increase congestion in streets;
Will not unreasonably increase public danger from fire or otherwise unreasonably aect
public safety; and
Will not diminish or impair the established values of property in surrounding areas.
The report must indicate the reasons why the applicant feels these conditions will be met
(e.g., features of the plan, characteristics of the proposed use or surrounding area).
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Filing Procedures For:
COMMUNITY UNIT PLAN
Application Type
Preliminary Plan $3,000.00 + $100 per acre*
Final Plan
Preliminary or Final Plan Amendment
$1,500.00 + $100 per acre*
$1,500.00 + $100 per acre*
Fee Required
CUP | Last Revised September 12, 2016 | CITY OF RICHMOND 5
In addition to the above information the report for a preliminary plan application must include
the following information:
The maximum number of dwelling units and maximum amount of commercial and
residential floor area proposed;
The general character and location of all buildings, structures and open spaces;
The general location of all means of ingress and egress and areas for the parking and
circulation of vehicles; and
The specific features of the plan which are intended to ensure compatibility with
adjacent development.
Please note that the above materials will be forwarded to the City Planning Commission and
City Council.
Plans: Electronic PDF of Plans are required to provide sucient detail to permit the sta to
make a determination of the compatibility of the proposed project with surrounding develop
ment.
Site Plan
Elevation Plans
Floor Plans
Landscape Plans
Signage Plan & Details
Lighting Plan & Details
For items required on the submitted plans, please see the attached “Checklist of Plan
Requirements”.
Survey Plat: A copy of a survey plat showing the property and including metes and bounds is
required. The plat should show existing physical features of the property, including:
North arrow, scale, property address, the distance to nearest public street, preparer of
plat, date, revision dates, area of site;
Existing structures, buildings, paved areas, fences, streets, alleys, easements, and limits
of the 100 year flood plain, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area limits, wetlands, and
streams.
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Filing Procedures For:
COMMUNITY UNIT PLAN
6 CITY OF RICHMOND | CUP | Last Revised September 12, 2016
The following checklist of information must be shown on the plans:
Plan Requirements:
Name of project, developer, preparer of plans
North arrow and bar scale;
Vicinity sketch;
Plan date and revision dates;
Boundaries of the site, with dimensions, and the delineation of proposed phasing of development;
Area of site;
Maximum number of dwelling units and maximum amount of commercial and residential floor area
proposed, in tabular form;
Location and character of all buildings, structures and open spaces;
Location of all means of ingress and egress and areas for the parking and circulation of vehicles,
including all existing or proposed public or private streets, alleys, or easements for access, ingress
or egress;
Specific features of the plan which are intended to ensure compatibility with adjacent
development;
Existing topography of the site;
The location of all existing or proposed bodies of water, wetlands, flood plains, Chesapeake Bay
Preservation Areas, stormwater detention or retention areas;
The location of all existing or proposed stands of trees, landscape areas, buers, or other
significant vegetation;
The location of existing or proposed open spaces, parks and recreation facilities, common areas, or
other public spaces; and
Other information as requested by the sta which may be needed to adequately review the plan.
Such other information may include, but not be limited to, trac studies, drainage studies, and
other impact studies.
ADDITIONAL PLAN REQUIREMENTS FOR FINAL PLANS:
Floor plans of all proposed buildings;
Elevation drawings of all proposed buildings or structures, showing the color and type of exterior
building materials and treatments;
Construction plans for all proposed public facilities, including streets, sidewalks, drainage facilities
and utilities, with profiles as necessary.
Location, size and type of all proposed drainage structures, stormwater management facilities and
best management practices;
Complete sets of drainage computations, stormwater management computations for compliance
with the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance, as required, and computations for the design of
any proposed stormwater detention or retention area, as required. Computations may be provided
on separate sheets, rather than included in the plans;
Proposed grading or proposed contours, including proposed erosion control measures;
Location, size and type of all utility lines, including gas, water, sanitary sewer, electric, telephone
and cable television service;
The location, number, size and type of all proposed plant materials;
Location, type, height and details of all proposed lighting on the site, including photometric
drawings as required by the sta; and
The location and details of all existing and proposed signage.
Checklist Requirements for:
COMMUNITY UNIT PLAN
CUP | Last Revised September 12, 2016 | CITY OF RICHMOND 7
COMMUNITY UNIT PLAN
Preliminary $3,000 + $100/acre
Extension of Preliminary Approval $1,500
Final $1,500 + $100/acre
Amendment $1,500 + $100/acre
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
Initial $1,500 + $100/acre
Amendment $1,000 + $100/acre
PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT
Floor area & Land disturbed 5,000 square feet $500 + $100/acre
Floor area & Land disturbed 5,001 & 50,000 square feet $1,000 + $100/acre
Floor area & Land disturbed 50,001 square feet $1,500 + $100/acre
REZONING/CONDITIONAL REZONING $1,500 + $100/acre
Each continuance caused by the applicant $250
SPECIAL USE PERMIT
Use Initial Amendment
Day Nursery $300 $200
Single- or two-family detached or attached dwelling $300 $200
Outdoor dining $300 $200
Mobile food business $300 $200
Sign $300 $200
Multi-family dwelling (3 to ten units) $1,800 $1,200
Commercial or industrial equal to or less than 5,000 sq ft $1,800 $1,200
Multi-family dwelling (more than 10 units) $2,400 $1,800
Commercial or industrial more than 5,000 sq ft $2,400 $1,800
Each continuance caused by the applicant $250
SUBDIVISION
Preliminary Plat $500 + $15/lot
Extension of Preliminary Plat Approval $150
Final Plat $500 + $15/lot
Subdivision Confirmation Letter $100
Continuance* $50
Plat of Correction $100
A full refund of the application fee is permitted if the application is withdrawn prior to the second
submittal of plans. Once a second submittal of plans is made, fees are not refundable.
For Community Unit Plans (CUP), the first 10 acres are included in the base price.
For Conditional Use Permits, Plans of Development, and Rezonings, the first acre is included in the base price.
For all applications with an additional price per acre, fractions of an acre are rounded up to the nearest whole number. Do not prorate the
fee per fraction of acre.
• Example: A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a 0.76 acre property would owe $1,500 (base fee only). A CUP for a 2.3 acre
property would owe $1,700 ($1,500 base fee + 2*100 (for the 1.3 acres over the first acre))
* No charge for the 1st continuance requested by the applicant or for any continuance requested by the Planning Commission. The
second or subsequent continuance request by the applicant costs $50.
Fees went into eect upon adoption of Ordinance No. 2018-209 by City Council on September 10, 2018.
(FEE SHEDULE)
Department of Planning and Development Review
Land Use Administration Division
900 E. Broad Street, Room 511
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 646-6304
http://www.richmondgov.com/