(A) VA Code § 15.2-2283 specifies that zoning ordinances shall be for the general purpose of promoting the health, safety, or general welfare of the public and of further accomplishing the objectives of § 15.2-2200 which encourages localities to improve the public health, safety, convenience, and welfare of their citizens. To these ends, flood ordinances shall be designed to provide for safety from flood, to facilitate the provision of flood protection, and to protect against loss of life, health, or property from flood.
(B) In accordance with these directed provisions, this chapter is specifically adopted pursuant to the authority granted to localities by VA Code § 15.2-2280.
(C) This chapter is established for the purpose of preventing the loss of life and property, the creation of health and safety hazards, the disruption of commerce and governmental services, the extraordinary and unnecessary expenditure of public funds for flood protection and relief, and the impairment of the tax base by:
(1) Regulating uses, activities, and development which, alone or in combination with other existing or future uses, activities, and development, will cause unacceptable increases in flood heights, velocities, and frequencies;
(2) Restricting or prohibiting certain uses, activities, and development from locating within districts subject to flooding;
(3) Requiring all those uses, activities, and developments that do occur in flood-prone districts to be protected and/or flood-proofed against flooding and flood damage; and
(4) Protecting individuals from buying land and structures which are unsuited for intended purposes because of flood hazards.
(Ord. passed 2-23-2015; Am. Ord. passed 5-12-2015; Am. Ord. passed 10-10-2023)