CPHD
Questions and Answers
The County Board approved changes to the Lot Coverage provision of the Zoning Ordinance on Tuesday November 15 th . Here are the key provisions and what you need to know:
- The changes do not affect existing houses . All existing houses are grandfathered by the County Board 's approval so that if you exceed the new coverage provisions it is now a legal nonconforming structure. This means that while you cannot add on to your house unless you comply with the new requirements, you are legal and you can rebuild it if damaged by natural causes.
- If you want to redevelop or add an addition you are now subject to the new requirements.
- The coverage provisions are based on a sliding scale determined by the zoning district of your lot and are applicable to both new construction and additions. Click here to see the adopted coverage provision and table.
- The changes include an incentive for front porches and garages in the rear yard.
- The changes are effective on November 16, 2005. If you filed a permit prior to that date you are under the old rules.
- Included in the changes are changes to the existing nonconforming provisions that allow:
- Nonconforming houses to be rebuilt as they existed if they are damaged by a natural disaster.
- Nonconforming houses can be added to if the additions comply with all zoning requirements.
- Removes the provision that houses that are nonconforming due to lot size or height are limited to expansion by 50% of the floor area of the house.
- A revised “How to Calculate Lot Coverage” disussion and relabel data to help calculate lot coverage has been placed on the web site to assist you in calculating the coverage on your lot.
- Due to the changes, staff will not be able to review and approve building permits on a “a “walk thru” basis so permit requests will have to be left with zoning while they are reviewed.
If you have any questions please contact the Zoning Office at 703-228-3883.
