radford university, virginia events, radford va, radford college

Special Topics

Home Occupation Guidelines:

Home occupations are very popular today and are a permitted use in every zoning district provided they meet certain guidelines.

A home occupation is defined as “an occupation, profession, enterprise or similar activity which is conducted within your home or its accessory buildings.” If you have a home business or plan to start one in your home, it must meet the following guidelines:

The activity must be clearly secondary to the principle use as a residence.
Not more than 25 percent of the floor area of the main building shall be devoted to such activity, and in no case more than a total of 400 square feet on any premises.
No one other than a member of the family residing on the premises shall be employed on the premises in the conduct of the activity.
There shall be no signs, other than one non-illuminated sign not exceeding two square feet in area attached to the building, and no displays or alterations to the exterior of the building that would distinguish it as being devoted to any non-dwelling use.
There shall be no group instruction or assembly, no housing of persons for compensation, no repair of vehicles and no product offered for sale or stored other than that which is incidental to a service rendered directly to persons on the premises.
No mechanical equipment or machinery shall be used in the conduct of the activity that produces noise, smoke, odor, vibration or other effects discernable beyond the property lines.

A business license is required for a home occupation and may be obtained from the Office of the Commissioner of Revenue at 731-3613.

If you plan to begin a home occupation and have questions, contact the Community Development Office at 731-3603.

Fence

Fence means permanent or temporary architectural structure of any material that encircles any or all of lot. Temporary fencing shall be removed when the purpose has been satisfied or within 6 months.

Temporary fencing means fencing designated for particular uses for limited time.

Construction fencing is allowed during the construction on a lot but not to be considered permanent fencing. This type of fencing must be removed within two (2) months of construction completion. Fencing for protection against blowing snow (snow
fencing) is allowed from November 1 until March 31 of the immediately following year (no more than 4 ½ months) but is not considered permanent.

Height limitations for fences and walls in required yards:

a. Fences and walls not exceeding four feet in height may be located within required front and street side yards.

b. Fences and walls not exceeding six and one-half feet in height may be located within required side and rear yards.

c. Fences and walls not specifically exempted by the provisions of Section 120-163 shall be construed as structures, and shall be subject to all yard requirements.

Location and use of accessory buildings

An accessory building shall be located on the same lot as the main building to which it is accessory, and the use of an accessory building shall be limited to purposes incidental and subordinate to the use of the main building on the lot.

Permits and relation to main building

No accessory building shall be constructed or located on a lot until a building permit has been obtained, and no permanent accessory building shall be constructed until a permit for construction of the main building has been issued. No permanent accessory building shall be used, except for temporary storage or materials
related to construction on the premises, until the main building is completed and a certificate of use and occupancy is issued.

Height of accessory buildings

Subject to the provisions of section 120-169, no accessory building shall exceed the height of the main building located on the lot, nor shall any accessory building exceed the maximum permitted height in the district in which it is located.

Dwelling use prohibited

No accessory building shall be used for dwelling purposes except by domestic employees or caretakers whose principal occupation is rendering services on the premises for benefit of persons who occupy or use the main building on the lot.

Yards for accessory buildings

(1) Yard requirements applicable. Except as provided in this section, no accessory building shall be located within any yard required for the main building on the lot.

(2) Location in rear yard. A building accessory to a single-family, single-family attached or duplex dwelling and not exceeding 12 feet in height may be located within a required rear yard, but not within five feet of any lot line.

(3) Location in side yard. A building accessory to a single-family, single-family attached or duplex dwelling and not exceeding 12 feet in height may be located within a required side yard, other than a required street side yard, but not within
five feet of any lot line. An accessory building attached to another accessory building on an adjoining lot shall not be subject to a side yard requirement along the intervening lot line.

Radford, Virginia Jobs
Moving to Virginia
Places to Visit in Virginia
Things to do in Radford, VA
Businesses in Radford, VA
Radford, VA Community
Virginia Wine Events

Radford University
Visiting Radford
Radford Court
Virginia Events Calendar
Radford Government
Virginia Commonwealth Attorney
Business License in Radford

New River Virginia
Schools in Radford, VA
Radford Police
Radford Sheriff's Department
Radford Fire Dept
Radford Water Treatment
Virginia Zoning

The City of Radford, VA, also known as The New River City, is situated in the heart of Virginia's New River Valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We are a diverse city with full educational, commercial and recreational opportunities. We are home to Radford University as well as local elementary, middle and high schools. We offer some of the best shopping in the region as well as a full range of job and business opportunties through our economic development department. Radford is host to year-round recreational and vacation activities. Our area festivals, activities, sports (such as football, baseball, basketball, and more), wine and vineyard events ensure you will never be without something to do. Radford also host many hotel and inn options for visitors staying the night with us. Radford takes pride in our local Police and Sheriff's departments that keep our visitors and residents safe. Radford, VA court system is near Blacksburg, Virginia and Christiansburg, Virginia.