Virginia Code 15.2-2209.1:1: Extension of approvals to address the COVID-19 pandemic
A. Notwithstanding any time limits for validity set out in § 15.2-2260 or 15.2-2261, any subdivision plat valid under § 15.2-2260 and outstanding as of July 1, 2020, and any recorded plat or final site plan valid under § 15.2-2261 and outstanding as of July 1, 2020, shall remain valid until July 1, 2025, or such later date as may be provided for by the terms of the locality‘s approval, local ordinance, resolution, or regulation. Any other plan or permit associated with such plat or site plan extended by this subsection is similarly extended for the same time period.
Terms Used In Virginia Code 15.2-2209.1:1
- Development: means a tract of land developed or to be developed as a unit under single ownership or unified control which is to be used for any business or industrial purpose or is to contain three or more residential dwelling units. See Virginia Code 15.2-2201
- Locality: means a county, city, or town as the context may require. See Virginia Code 1-221
- Site plan: means the proposal for a development or a subdivision including all covenants, grants or easements and other conditions relating to use, location and bulk of buildings, density of development, common open space, public facilities and such other information as required by the subdivision ordinance to which the proposed development or subdivision is subject. See Virginia Code 15.2-2201
- Special exception: means a special use that is a use not permitted in a particular district except by a special use permit granted under the provisions of this chapter and any zoning ordinances adopted herewith. See Virginia Code 15.2-2201
B. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, for any valid special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit, or any modifications thereto, outstanding as of July 1, 2020, any deadline in the exception permit, or in the local zoning ordinance that requires the landowner or developer to commence the project or incur significant expenses related to improvements for the project within a certain time, is extended until July 1, 2025, or such longer period as may be agreed to by the locality.
C. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, for any rezoning approved pursuant to § 15.2-2297, 15.2-2298, or 15.2-2303 and valid and outstanding as of July 1, 2020, any proffered condition that requires the landowner or developer to incur significant expenses upon the occurrence of an event related to a stage or level of development is extended until July 1, 2025, or longer as may be agreed to by the locality. However, the extensions in this subsection do not apply (i) to proffered dedications of land or rights-of-way pursuant to § 15.2-2297, 15.2-2298, or 15.2-2303 or (ii) when completion of the event related to the stage or level of development has already occurred.
D. The extension of validity provided in subsection A and the extension of deadlines as provided in subsection B will be effective only if any unreleased performance bonds and agreements or other financial guarantees of completion of public improvements in or associated with the proposed development are continued in force. However, if the locality has enacted a bonding moratorium or deferral program, the performance bonds and agreements or other financial guarantees of completion may be waived or modified by the locality, in which case the provisions of subsections A and B apply. The landowner or developer must comply with the terms of any bonding moratorium or deferral agreement with the locality in order for the extensions referred to in this subsection to be effective.
2020, Sp. Sess. I, c. 40; 2022, cc. 178, 179; 2023, cc. 436, 437.