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Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance Update
About the Project
The City of Petersburg is currently in the process of revising and updating its Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances. This revision will update the current Ordinance language to reflect changes in the Code of Virginia, address new land use issues that have become relevant in the City, and shifts that have occurred in development patterns and demands.
Click here to review the full draft ordinance.
What are Zoning Regulations?
Zoning is the primary tool for regulating the use of land. Each property in Petersburg has a zoning designation with rules. These regulations determine the direction and intensity of development while minimizing the impacts. The Ordinance should be reflective of the development goals for the City set forth in the Comprehensive Plan. Since zoning and land use regulations shape the lives of City residents every day, community members are encouraged to stay informed and engaged throughout this Ordinance update process.
Click here for a basic overview of zoning.
About the Process
The Ordinance update will engage Petersburg’s City Council, Planning Commission, citizens business owners, and other stakeholders. The current zoning and subdivision regulations will be evaluated, reviewed, updated, and revised as guided by officials and citizens. Petersburg has employed the services of the Berkeley Group, a Virginia-based local government planning and consulting firm, to assist with this update process.
The process includes:
- Joint Planning Commission/City Council Work Session: January. 2026
- Formal Public Hearings and Adoption: Winter 2025-2026
Past Events
- Community Survey - Open from May 2024 - August 2024
- Pop-Up Events - Juneteenth (June 15, 2024) and National Night Out (August 6, 2024)
- City Council and Planning Commission Joint Kick-off Meeting - September 25, 2025 - Meeting Video
- Work Sessions with Planning Commission - April 22, May 27, June 24, and September 23, 2025
- City Council check-in - July 15, 2025
-- Public Open House: November 10 2025
Links and Background Material
Current Subdivision Ordinance (Appendix A of the City Code)
Current Zoning Ordinance (Appendix B of the City Code)
Contact Us
Should you have any questions, please reach out to Jared Crews, Planning Manager, at jcrews@petersburg-va.org.
Department of Forestry - Community Forest Revitalization Program
In partnership with the Green Infrastructure Center, the City of Petersburg is advancing tree regulations, a plan for trees in the city, and two planting efforts in the community to be completed by the end of 2025.
Strategic Tree Canopy Plan and City Code Updates
Following a public outreach process and work with a steering committee of City and local professionals, City Council voted to adopt the Strategic Tree Canopy Plan on June 17, 2025. Following adoption of the Strategic Tree Canopy Plan, City Council also adopted an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance with updated requirements for landscaping and tree preservation during private development and an amendment to City Code introducing standards for tree protection and planting in public places.
In the coming months, the City will be creating and staffing a Tree Advisory Board, developing several permit and policy documents, and continuing to pursue "Tree City USA" designation.
For more information, contact Janine Lester, City Arborist, at jlester@petersburg-va.org.
Grants - Awarded
Virginia Highway Safety Improvements (VHSIP)
Petersburg received funding for the following projects to start in September 2027:
- Improve pedestrian crossings at 6 locations: 1) Washington Street & Union Street, 2) Adams Street & Wythe Street, 3) Sycamore Street & Mars Street (Midblock), 4) Halifax Street & Melville Street (Midblock), 5) Crater Road & Flank Road & Cavalier Drive (Midblock), and 6) Wythe Street and Crater Road. Proposed improvements include high-visibility crosswalks, pedestrian signal poles and push buttons (where applicable), and curb ramps with detectable warning surface. A pedestrian hybrid beacon is proposed at the midblock crossing locations. A raised pedestrian crossing is proposed at the midblock crossing on Sycamore Street.
- Install high-visibility signal backplates at 41 intersections in the City of Petersburg to improve signal visibility.
Petersburg also submitted on October 31, 2024 for the following: flashing yellow arrows, school crossing improvements, curve delineation, and unsignalized intersection improvements at various locations throughout the city.
Ready Set Go
Planning, in partnership with the Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR), has received assistance through the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to create an initial concept and cost estimate prior to submitting for engineering of an unfunded segment of the Appomattox River Trail near Union Station and pictured here in orange and purple. The design and cost estimate should be completed by the end of April 2025 for consideration of Transportation Alternatives funding.
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
Planning with the assistance of Petersburg Area Transit submitted, and was awarded, a grant for three bus shelters and 30 bus benches with canopies along with accessibility improvements to enhance the bus rider experience. The award is anticipated in July 2025 with implementation beginning in the Fall of 2025. The project is planned to be completed within one year. Examples of the benches are pictured here.
Urban and Community Forestry Grant - Virginia Department of Forestry
Staff will be hiring a City Arborist for a grant funded period of 1.5 years and seek permanent funding for the position.
Grants - Pending
History of Equal Rights - Preservation Grant - National Park Service
Application submitted for $65,000 to create an adaptive reuse plan for the Jarratt House.
Department of Rail and Public Transportation - Demonstration Grant
Planning and Petersburg Area Transit with the assistance of RAFT, submitted a request to fund a one-year trolley program to get residents to healthy food and green space.