New Site Plan Ordinance for builders began July 1

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A new Site Plan ordinance for those looking to build in the City of Richmond took effect on Tuesday, aiming to reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies and improve transparency.

According to a release from the city shared on Tuesday, July 1, Richmond began administering a new Site Plan ordinance, which replaces the current Plan of Development process.

“Efforts to streamline development review began in early 2022, when the City’s Planning Commission adopted a resolution calling for a new process. Over the subsequent three years, we mapped our existing processes, hosted dozens of discussions with stakeholders, researched comparative localities, and identified industry best practices to develop a new process that will best serve our development community.”  Kevin J. Vonck, Director of Planning and Development Review

According to the city, the new process will standardize and streamline the city's proposed development projects.

The city said it will meet the following conditions:

• Disturbing more than 4,000 sq. ft. of land; or 2,500 sq. ft. of land within a designated Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act Area; 
• Making major changes to the public right-of-way or public utilities, including curb cuts; 
• Increasing parking more than 10%;  
• Installing public drive-ups, drive-throughs, fuel pumps, or charging stations; or 
• Increasing the usable space of any building or structure by 2,500 sq. ft. 

For more information about how to submit a project, click here.