The City of
  Lexington,
      Virginia


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300 East Washington Street
P.O. Box 922, 24450
540-462-3700
fax: 540-463-5310
    

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PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Bill Blatter, Director
(540) 462-3704; fax: (540) 463-5310
e-mail:  bblatter@ci.lexington.va.us 
e-mail:  planning@ci.lexington.va.us 

The Department of Planning and Development offices are located on the second floor in City Hall, at 300 E. Washington Street.  A shortcut link to Building Permits, Fees & Inspections has been provided.  

The Department of Planning and Development assures that development within the City respects and promotes the heritage, appearance, and exceptional quality of life of the City of Lexington.

The Department is responsible for planning for the City, including preparing and updating the Comprehensive Plan, as well as preparing special planning studies such as the Master Plan for Jordan's Point Park, the action plan for restoration of Wood's Creek and the plan for the renovation of the City's entrance corridors. 

The Department is also responsible for developing, amending, and enforcing the Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 420 and Subdivision Regulations (Copy of Zoning Map).  (Should you have difficulty opening these files, try saving them to your hard drive first.  Right-click hyperlink, click 'Save Target As.' ) This includes coordinating site plan reviews, conditional use permit requests, design review, and rezoning requests.

The Department enforces all building and property maintenance codes which includes reviewing plans and specifications for proposed construction, issuing permits and conducting required inspections.

The Department also manages the City's Housing programs. This includes writing and administering grants from Federal and State agencies for the rehabilitation of existing housing and the construction of new affordable housing. Assistance in obtaining affordable mortgages for the purchase of houses is also provided to eligible low and moderate income persons. The locally funded Safe and Sound program provides small scale repairs to houses and yards within the City.

Building Permits and Inspections

A building permit is required prior to constructing, enlarging, altering or demolishing any structure, including its electrical, plumbing, or mechanical equipment. Ordinary repairs to existing structures are exempt. If you are not sure whether a building permit is required for work you are contemplating, please call the Department.

Obtaining a Building Permit:
Contact the Code Enforcement Officer at (540) 462-3738 or the Secretary at (540) 462-3704. Their offices are located on the 2nd floor of City Hall, 300 East Washington Street.

Requirements for a building permit:
Sufficient drawings must be permitted to enable the Department to evaluate the proposed work for conformance to the applicable codes. A site plan must also be submitted for additions and new construction. Permits may only be issued to state licensed contractors or building owners.

Fees:
Building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing permits for RESIDENTIAL work are 0.30% of the estimated cost of construction. Fees for COMMERCIAL work are 0.60% of the estimated construction cost. The minimum fee is $25.00.

Scheduling Inspections:
Contact the Code Enforcement Officer at (540) 462-3738 or the Secretary at (540) 462-3704 if you have questions or to request an inspection. 

The Planning and Development Department provides staff support to the following Boards and Commissions:

  • Architectural Review Board
  • Planning Commission

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NOTICE

A Public Hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, March 25, at 5:00 p.m., 150 South Main Street.  The Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on the draft Housing Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan.  This chapter describes the current housing situation in Lexington and makes recommendations concerning ways the City can address local housing needs. Copies of the chapter are available on-line and at the library and the Planning Department at City Hall.

Links of Interest:

Planned Unit Development Article of the Zoning Ordinance

Comprehensive Plan

  • Community Services DRAFT
  • Housing Chapter DRAFT
  • History
  • Land Use
  • Natural Resources
  • Population
  • Transportation Chapter DRAFT

Rain garden manual

Parking Management Plan 2003

(Should you have difficulty opening these files, try saving them to your hard drive first.  Right-click hyperlink, click 'Save Target As.' )

last edited: 3/3/10 Submit comments to lexington-va@rockbridge.net Home