The Environmental Regulations and Policy study is a review and update of the City’s environmental regulations and policies. Project topics include stormwater management, floodplain management, tree canopy, stream buffers, critical slopes, and energy-efficiency. The project will develop a new policy framework, implementation recommendations, and regulatory revisions to align the City’s policies and regulations for natural resources with the Comprehensive Plan.
The City’s Comprehensive Plan implementation priorities include both supporting housing choice and affordability and protecting the natural environment. Since the City’s new Development Code was adopted in 2023, there have been multiple challenges with implementing these Comprehensive Plan priorities, especially for smaller infill sites where it is difficult to accommodate both by-right dwelling units and required infrastructure and trees. Updates to policies and regulations will work to balance housing choice and accommodating projected population growth with protecting the natural and built environments. This project is also an opportunity to find ways to make our community more resilient, especially to increasing risks of flooding and extreme heat.
This project includes a cross-departmental team including staff from Neighborhood Development Services, Public Works, Utilities, Office of Sustainability, and Parks and Recreation. There are a number of related City programs and plans related to this project, which are provided in the ‘Project Topics and Resources’ section below.
Residents are encouraged to follow along at the study's Connect Charlottesville page, where you can find key dates, read important documents, and sign up for email notifications for this and other City projects.
