2 CITY OF RICHMOND | R/CR Application | Last Revised September 7, 2018
In instances where it has been determined that underlying zoning regulations cannot be met, a rezoning/con-
ditional rezoning may be granted by City Council to provide relief from zoning regulation. It is the policy of the
City of Richmond to encourage the voluntary pro ering of conditions by the applicant in cases where the use of
conventional rezoning methods are inadequate to achieve certain desired goals. With conditional rezoning, the
applicant voluntarily pro ers written conditions designed to o set identifi ed problems and render an otherwise
unacceptable rezoning acceptable. O -site impacts on public infrastructure may be mitigated by the inclusion
of pro ers that address circumstances directly related to the rezoning proposal. Rezoning/conditional rezoning
should not be used if pro ered conditions will not su ciently o set or are unrelated to the identifi ed problems.
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 may reject any application without a
pre-application conference. 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.
Applicants should also discuss the proposed rezoning/conditional rezoning 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.
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 zoning districts and pro ers to be included with the application. Once the
application is in fi nal form, an ordinance is drafted and the pro ers 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.
The ordinance 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 is scheduled, usually thirty days after
introduction. During this thirty-day period, 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. One
week prior to the City Council public hearing, the Planning Commission, after receiving a report from the
Department of Planning and Development Review, considers the proposed rezoning/conditional rezoning and
forwards a recommendation to City Council. The Planning Commission welcomes information submitted prior
to the meeting and may ask questions of proponents and opponents during the course of its deliberation on the
ordinance.
In the event that additions, deletions or other modifi cations to pro ered conditions are desired, they shall be
made in writing to the Planning Commission before the Commission makes its recommendation to City
Council. City Council may consider additional conditions, deletions or modifi cations to conditions after the
Planning Commission makes its recommendation, provided that such are voluntarily pro ered in writing prior to
the public hearing at which City Council is to consider the request. City Council may refer the request back to
the Planning Commission for further review and action if additions, deletions or modifi cations to conditions are
proposed after the Planning Commission makes its recommendation.
Review & Approval process for
REZONING/CONDITIONAL REZONING
