20000328 2000-8ORDINANCE NO. 2000-8
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 26, TO MODIFY ARTICLE III, R-1 RESIDEN-
TIAL DISTRICT, ARTICLE IV, R-2 RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, AND ARTICLE V, R-3
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT TO PROHIBIT MOTOR VEHICLE PARKING ON
UNSURFACED AREAS IN FRONT YARDS, TO SCREEN PARKING OF VEHICLES IN
SIDE AND REAR YARDS, AND TO LIMIT LOT COVERAGE FOR DRIVEWAY AND
PARKING AREAS ON RESIDENTIAL LOTS.
WHEREAS, vehicles parked on residential lots reduce the amount of air and light
available to adjacent residential structures and reduce the amount of green space provided as
an amenity for the residents; and
WHEREAS, vehicles parked on residential lots may reduce accessibility to residential
structures in the event of an emergency; and
WHEREAS, vehicles parked on unsurfaced areas in residential lots and excessive
driveway and parking areas substantially detract from the appearance of residential properties
and the potential for landscaping; and
WHEREAS, vehicles parked on unsurfaced areas in residential lots and excessive
driveway and parking areas may create negative visual impacts on the streetscape and
contribute to a loss of neighborhood character and housing values; and
WHEREAS, it is the City Council's desire to minimize the adverse effects of
stormwater runoff across residential properties and to protect and improve the City's water
quality by minimizing impervious surface coverage on residential properties;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Fairfax,
Virginia, that Sections 26-107.1, 26.107.2, and 26-107.3 are added to Chapter 26, Article III
of the Code of the City of Fairfax, Virginia to read as follows:
Section 26-107.1. Prohibited motor vehicle parking in front yards on residential lots.
No motor vehicle, including for the purposes of this section a passenger vehicle,
truck, van, motorized recreational vehicle, motorcycle, camper, golf cart, travel
trailer, boat trailer, car trailer, or other similar vehicle, but not including
motorcycles, shall be routinely parked or stored on unsurfaced areas, such as dirt
and grass, in the front yard of residential lots. Notwithstanding the provisions of
this section, motor vehicles may be parked temporarily on unsurfaced areas of a
front yard on a residential lot, for a period not to exceed 48 hours, to load, unload,
clean or repair the vehicle.
Section 26-107.2. Required screening for vehicles stored in side and rear yards.
Motor vehicles, trailers, golf carts, boats, or similar vehicles stored on unsurfaced
areas in the side and rear yards of residential lots shall be screened from the street and
adjacent properties to the extent possible by landscaping or wood fencing.
Section 26-107.3. Lot coverage for surfaced driveway, parking, and vehicle storage
areas.
Surfaced driveway, parking, and vehicle storage areas include asphalt, cement, or
any other impervious surface, or gravel or similar driveway, parking and vehicle
storage area.
2000-8
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(a) Front Yard Limitations.
1. No more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the front yard of any lot improved with
a single-family dwelling shall be surfaced driveway, parking, or vehicle storage
area.
2. Notwithstanding subsection 1 above, for any lot with a single-family dwelling, a
surfaced area directly contiguous with, and providing primary access to, two side-
by-side parking spaces, may exceed the twenty-five percent (25%) limitation as
long as it is no more than twenty-five (25) feet long and eighteen (18) feet wide.
(b) Rear Yard Limitations.
1. No more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the rear yard of any lot improved with
a single-family dwelling shall be surfaced driveway, parking or vehicle storage
area.
2. Notwithstanding subsection 1 above, a surfaced area for driveway only (with no
vehicle parking or storage permitted) may be located within ten (10) feet of a rear
lot line to provide access to garages, vehicle parking and storage areas.
(c) Side Yard Limitations.
1. A surfaced area for parking or vehicle storage shall be located no closer than five
(5) feet to a side lot line, or the required side yard setback, whichever is less.
2. Notwithstanding subsection 1 above, a surfaced area for driveway only (with no
vehicle parking or storage permitted), may be located within five (5) feet of a side
lot line to provide access to rear yard garages, vehicle parking and storage areas.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that Section 26-108.1 of Chapter 26, Article III of
the Code of the City of Fairfax, Virginia is amended to read in its entirety as follows:
Sec. 26-108.1 Special exceptions.
The board of zoning appeals may, by special exception, modify the minimum yard and
building setback requirements or the maximum lot coverage for surfaced driveway,
parking, and vehicle storage areas contained in this division in accordance with the
provisions in section 26-103.3.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that Sections 26-111.1, 26-111.2, and 26-111.3 are
added to Chapter 26, Article IV of the Code of the City of Fairfax, Virginia to read as follows:
Section 26-111.1. Prohibited motor vehicle parking in front yards on residential lots.
No motor vehicle, including for the purposes of this section a passenger vehicle,
truck, van, motorized recreational vehicle, motorcycle, camper, golf cart, travel
trailer, boat trailer, car trailer, or other similar vehicle, but not including
motorcycles, shall be routinely parked or stored on unsurfaced areas, such as dirt
and grass, in the front yard of residential lots. Notwithstanding the provisions of
this section, motor vehicles may be parked temporarily on unsurfaced areas of a
front yard on a residential lot, for a period not to exceed 48 hours, to load, unload,
clean or repair the vehicle.
2000-8
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Section 26-111.2. Required screening for vehicles stored in side and rear yards.
Motor vehicles, trailers, golf carts, boats, or similar vehicles stored on unsurfaced
areas in the side and rear yards of residential lots shall be screened from the street and
adjacent properties to the extent possible by landscaping or wood fencing.
Section 26-111.3. Lot coverage for surfaced driveway, parking, and vehicle storage
areas.
Surfaced driveway, parking, and vehicle storage areas include asphalt, cement, or
any other impervious surface, or gravel or similar driveway, parking and vehicle
storage area.
(a) Front Yard Limitations.
1. No more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the front yard of any lot improved with
a single-family dwelling shall be surfaced driveway, parking, or vehicle storage
area.
2. Notwithstanding subsection 1 above, for any lot with a single-family dwelling, a
surfaced area directly contiguous with, and providing primary access to, two side-
by-side parking spaces, may exceed the twenty-five percent (25%) limitation as
long as it is no more than twenty-five (25) feet long and eighteen (18) feet wide.
(b) Rear Yard Limitations.
1. No more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the rear yard of any lot improved with
a single-family dwelling shall be surfaced driveway, parking or vehicle storage
area.
2. Notwithstanding subsection 1 above, a surfaced area for driveway only (with no
vehicle parking or storage permitted) may be located within ten (10) feet of a rear
lot line to provide access to garages, vehicle parking and storage areas.
(c) Side Yard Limitations.
1. A surfaced area for parking or vehicle storage shall be located no closer than five
(5) feet to a side lot line, or the required side yard setback, whichever is less.
2. Notwithstanding subsection 1 above, a surfaced area for driveway only (with no
vehicle parking or storage permitted), may be located within five (5) feet of a side
lot line to provide access to rear yard garages, vehicle parking and storage areas.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED ~hat Section 26-112.1 of Chapter 26, Article IV of
the Code of the City of Fairfax, Virginia is amended to read in its entirety as follows:
Sec. 26-112.1 Special exceptions.
The board of zoning appeals may, by special exception, modify the minimum yard and
building setback requirements or the maximum lot coverage for surfaced driveway, parking,
and vehicle storage areas contained in this division in accordance with the provisions in
section 26-103.3.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that Sections 26-115.1, 26-115.2, and 26-115.3 are
added to Chapter 26, Article V of the Code of the City of Fairfax, Virginia to read as follows:
Section 26-115.1. Prohibited motor vehicle parking in front yards on residential lots.
No motor vehicle, including for tlhe purposes of this section a passenger vehicle,
truck, van, motorized recreational vehicle, motorcycle, camper, golf cart, travel
2000-8
trailer, boat trailer, car trailer, or other similar vehicle, but not including
motorcycles, shall be routinely parked or stored on unsurfaced areas, such as dirt
and grass, in the front yard of residential lots. Notwithstanding the provisions of
this section, motor vehicles may be parked temporarily on unsurfaced areas of a
front yard on a residential lot, :['or a period not to exceed 48 hours, to load, unload,
clean or repair the vehicle.
Section 26-115.2. Required screening for vehicles stored in side and rear yards.
Motor vehicles, trailers, golf carts, boats, or similar vehicles stored on unsurfaced
areas in the side and rear yards of residential lots shall be screened from the street
and adjacent properties to the extent possible by landscaping or wood fencing.
Section 26-115.3. Lot coverage for surfaced driveway, parking, and vehicle storage
areas.
Surfaced driveway, parking, and vehicle storage areas include asphalt, cement, or
any other impervious surface, or gravel or similar driveway, parking and vehicle
storage area.
(a) Front Yard Limitations.
1. No more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the front yard of any lot improved with
a single-family dwelling shall be surfaced driveway, parking, or vehicle storage
area.
2. Notwithstanding subsection 1 above, for any lot with a single-family dwelling, a
surfaced area directly contiguous with, and providing primary access to, two side-
by-side parking spaces, may exceed the twenty-five percent (25%) limitation as
long as it is no more than twenty-five (25) feet long and eighteen (18) feet wide.
(b) Rear Yard Limitations.
1. No more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the rear yard of any lot improved with
a single-family dwelling shall be surfaced driveway, parking or vehicle storage
area.
2. Notwithstanding subsection 1 above, a surfaced area for driveway only (with no
vehicle parking or storage permitted) may be located within ten (10) feet of a rear
lot line to provide access to garages, vehicle parking and storage areas.
(c) Side Yard Limitations.
1. A surfaced area for parking or vehicle storage shall be located no closer than five
(5) feet to a side lot line, or the required side yard setback, whichever is less.
2. Notwithstanding subsection 1 above, a surfaced area for driveway only (with no
vehicle parking or storage permitted), may be located within five (5) feet of a side
lot line to provide access to rear yard garages, vehicle parking and storage areas.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that Section 26-116.1 of Chapter 26, Article V of
the Code of the City of Fairfax, Virginia is amended to read in its entirety as follows:
Sec. 26-116.1 Special exceptions.
The board of zoning appeals may, by special exception, modify the minimum yard and
building setback requirements or the maximum lot coverage for surfaced driveway,
parking, and vehicle storage areas contained in this division in accordance with the
provisions in section 26-103.3.
2000-8
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This ordinance will become null and void automatically at 11:59 p.m., on December 31, 2001,
unless prior thereto it has been reenacted by the City Council.
The ordinance shall become effective as provided by law.
Planning Commission Hearings: May 11, 1998 and June 8, 1998
City Council Hearings: September 14, 1999, February 22, 2000, and March 28, 2000
Adopted: March 28, 2000
Councilman Coughlan
Councilman Greenfield
Councilman Lederer
Councilman Petersen
Councilman Rasmussen
Councilman Silverthorne
Vote
-Aye
.Aye
_~ye
Aye
-Aye
_Aye
ATTEST:
(,.J tO City Clerk -
Mayor
Date