20020709 2002-14ORDINANCE NO. 2002- 1.4
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 110, TO MODIFY ARTICLE III,
R-1 RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, ARTICLE IV, R-2 RESDENTIAL DISTRICT,
AND ARTICLE V, R-3 RESDENTIAL 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 RESDENTIAL 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 110-454, 110-455, and 110-456 are added to Chapter 110, Article III
of the Code of the City of Fairfax, Virginia to read as follows:
Section 110-454. 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 110-455. 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 110-456. 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.
(1) Front Yard Limitations.
a. 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.
b. 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.
(2) Rear Yard Limitations.
a. 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.
b. 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.
(3) Side Yard Limitations.
a. 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.
b. 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 110-458 of Chapter 110, Article III of
the Code of the City of Fairfax, Virginia is amended to read in its entirety as follows:
See. 110-458. 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 110-369.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that Sections 110-484, 110-485, and 110-486 are
added to Chapter 110, Article IV of the Code of the City of Fairfax, Virginia to read as
follows:
Section 110-484. 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 can, 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 110-485. Required screening for vehicles stored in side and rear yards.
Motor vehicles, trailers, golf cans, 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 110-486. 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.
(1) Front Yard Limitations.
a. No more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the front yard of any lot improved with
a single-family dwelling shall be surfaced dhveway, parking, or vehicle storage
area.
b. 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.
(2) Rear Yard Limitations.
a. 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.
b. 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.
(3) Side Yard Limitations.
a. 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.
b. 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 110-488 of Chapter 110, Article IV of
the Code of the City of Fairfax, Virginia is amended to read in its entirety as follows:
Sec. 110-488. 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 110-369.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that Sections 110-514, 110-515, and 110-516 are
added to Chapter 110, Article V of the Code of the City of Fairfax, Virginia to read as
follows:
Section 110-514. 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 110-515. 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 110-516. 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.
(1) Front Yard Limitations.
a. 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.
b. 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.
(2) Rear Yard Limitations.
a. 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.
b. 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.
(3) Side Yard Limitations.
a. 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.
b. 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 110-518 of Chapter 110, Article V of
the Code of the City of Fairfax, Virginia is amended to read in its entirety as follows:
Sec. 110-518. 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 110-369.
The ordinance shall become effective as provided by law.
Planning Commission Hearing:
City Council Hearing:
Adopted:
July 8, 2002
July 9, 2002
July 9, 2002
Mayor
tl l :,x
Date
ATTEST:
The vote on the motion to adopt the ordinance was recorded as follows:
Vote
Councilman Cross
Councilman Greenfield
Councilwoman Lyon
Councilman Rasmussen
Councilman Silverthorne
Councilwoman Winter
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye