These districts are established to promote the orderly development of the several areas in a manner consistent with the use for which they are best suited. The regulations are related to the district which they affect and are designed to serve the welfare of those who own and/or occupy land in those districts. In the delineation of these districts, careful consideration is given to the predominant use and character, physical limitations, accessibility, the ability of the County to provide public services and any environmental consequences of the various uses. The regulations represent an effort to balance property rights and the health, safety and general welfare of all citizens.
A. The Conservation District contains those mountains which are environmentally sensitive, have physical limitations and contain much of the County's timber resources. The regulations are designed with emphasis on the conservation of those areas to minimize the potential adverse environmental impact while providing for compatible very low-density residential uses.
B. The Agriculture District generally contains those areas where agriculture and forestry are the predominant uses or where significant agricultural lands or larger lot farmette-type residential developments exist. The regulations are designed to assist in the protection and preservation of the agricultural uses and to mitigate land use conflicts between agricultural uses and appropriately limited residential development.
C. The Rural Residential District reflects the existence of rural residential development and/or those areas where agriculture and forestal activity are not the predominant uses and the soils and lot sizes are not generally suited for the same.
D. The Residential District reflects those areas where small lots exist and those areas around the village where such lots would be in keeping with the existing character and provide for some expansion of the village.
E. The Residential Village District reflects the existence of small communities which historically have provided social and economic services to the rural areas. The regulations are designed to recognize the mixed-use character of the village, encourage its rural service functions and to provide for appropriate expansion of the village while maintaining its rural qualities. In addition to allowing home occupations as a right, this district can accommodate cottage industries where appropriate.
F. The Mobile Home Park District is designed to allow parks for the location of mobile homes as defined herein.
G. The Commercial Village District is designed to allow commercial activities appropriate to the needs of the villages, recognizing the rural service function of such communities.
H. The Commercial General District is designed to allow for general commercial uses in which establishments are automobile-oriented or are freestanding-type businesses of a large nature. In general, primary highway access should be a prerequisite.
I. The Highway Commercial District is designed to allow commercial activities generally serving the needs of tourists to the area and is limited to the existing concentration of establishments along Route 211 from Sperryville to the Shenandoah Park boundary.
J. The Industrial District is designed to provide for industrial uses to strengthen the economic base and provide local employment opportunities. Proximity to a primary highway should be the norm.