Title
Ordinance to Amend and Re-enact the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Hampton, Virginia by Amending Chapter 4, Article XI, Sec. 4-101, Entitled “Intent and Application of the District” to Amend the District's Application and Sec. 4-104, Entitled “Lot Area” to Reduce the Required Minimum Lot Area and the Minimum Frontage of the One-Family Residential (R-4) District
Purpose
Background Statement:
The purpose of this item is to amend the Hampton City Zoning Ordinance by updating the development standards of the One-Family Residential (R-4) District to reduce the minimum lot size and lot frontage to comply with new state legislation [HB1212], which will take effect July 1, 2026. This bill requires any locality with a population of 50,000 or more to adopt, maintain, and apply to land of at least one (1) single-family zoning district that would permit a minimum lot area of 3,000 square feet and minimum lot frontage of 30 feet.
Currently, the R-4 District offers the smallest lot size and frontage of all other One-family Residential Districts at 4,000 square foot lots minimum and 40 foot wide frontage minimum and 5,000 square foot lots minimum and 50 foot wide frontage minimum, respectively. Applying the smallest lot size of 3,000 square feet would be most consistent with the existing intent and development standards of the R-4 District In addition, the smaller lots would be most compatible with the more dense, urban neighborhood character, more commonly occurring within older neighborhoods of the City; juxtaposed to the less dense and more suburban neighborhood character which is more representative of the other one-family residential districts.
The proposed zoning ordinance amendment process is intended to permit a one-family dwelling on smaller lots of 3,000 square foot minimum and 30 foot wide frontage within the R-4 District. The existing development criteria for 4,000 and 5,000 square foot lots would be retained. This amendment would expand opportunities for residential development and maintain appropriate zoning controls consistent with public necessity, convenience, general welfare, and good zoning practice.
Recommendations:
Rec
Staff Recommendation:
Approve
Body
WHEREAS, the public necessity, convenience, general welfare and good zoning practice so require;
BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia that Section 4-104 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Hampton, Virginia be amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 4 - R-4 DISTRICT-ONE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
…Section 4-104. - Lot area.
(1) In developments containing less than 24,000 square feet of contiguous land area, a lot shall contain a minimum of three thousand (43,000) square feet. Lots less than four thousand (4,000) square feet shall have a minimum frontage of thirty (30) feet. Lots four thousand (4,000) square feet or greater, but less than five thousand (5,000) square feet, shall have a minimum frontage of forty (40) feet. Lots five thousand (5,000) square feet or greater shall have a minimum frontage of fifty (50) feet.
(2) In developments containing 24,000 square feet or more of contiguous land area, lots shall be a minimum of 3,000 square feet, provided that lots smaller than 5,000 square feet must be served by an alley. Lots without alley access shall contain a minimum of five thousand (5,000) square feet and such lot shall have a minimum frontage of fifty (50) feet. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any lot located on a corner shall contain a minimum of five thousand (5,000) square feet and such lot shall have a minimum frontage of fifty (50) feet.
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