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Planning and Development

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The Department of Planning and Development assures that development within the city respects and promotes the heritage, appearance, and exceptional quality of life in the City of Lexington.

Responsibilities

The department is responsible for planning for the city, including preparing and updating the Comprehensive Plan, as well as preparing special planning studies such as the Master Plan for Jordan's Point Park, and the plan for the renovation of the city's entrance corridors.

Design Guidelines for Lexington Historic Districts

Lexington Historic District Design Guidelines (amended 12-1-2022)

City of Lexington Geographic Information System (G.I.S.)

The City of Lexington utilizes an online G.I.S. to show parcel information within the city limits. You can access the City of Lexington's G.I.S. online, or you can visit the Planning and Development Department during normal office hours.

Comprehensive Plan

The Comprehensive Plan is Lexington's most important document regarding growth, development, and change. It establishes government policy to help guide public and private activities as they relate to land use and resource utilization. The Comprehensive Plan is the basis for land development regulations and decisions (rezonings, conditional use permits), capital improvements (schools, parks, libraries), transportation, environmental and historic resource protection initiatives.

 2025 Comprehensive Plan Review 

The City's Comprehensive Plan is required to be updated every five years and that review is occurring now with the assistance of the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commision. 

The Lexington Planning Commission is reviewing individual chapters in the Comprehensive Plan and we encourage citizens to comment on those draft chapters. Once those draft chapters are reviewed, the Planning Commission will hold an advertised public hearing that is expected to be held in November, 2025. Staff will also schedule and advertise another public input session to specifically receive comment on the draft Comprehensive Plan. 

We also have a survey available for public comment and the QR code for that survey can be found here:  www.surveymonkey.com/r/LexingtonPlan.

Historic Resources Chapter DRAFT (Reviewed by Planning Commission 8/28/25)

Arts and Culture Chapter DRAFT (Reviewed by Planning Commission 8/28/25)

Zoning Ordinance

The department is also responsible for developing, amending, and enforcing the Zoning Ordinance, Zoning Map, and subdivision regulations. This includes coordinating site plan reviews, conditional use permit requests, design review, and rezoning requests.

Recent and Proposed Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance

Ordinance 2024-01: An ordinance to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) (adopted 2-15-2024)

Ordinance 2024-06: Annual Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments (adopted 8-15-2024)

Ordinance 2025-02: An ordinance to allow Cottage Housing Developments (adopted 3-20-2025)

Ordinance 2025-04: An Ordinance to Amend Articles XI and XX to Regulate the Mini-Warehouse Use (adopted 8-7-2025)

 

Helpful Documents

Note Regarding Operation of Motorized Skateboards, Scooters, or Electric Power-Assisted Bicycles:
The City of Lexington prohibited the operation of motorized skateboards, scooters, or electric power-assisted bicycles for hire in response to the State imposed deadline of January 1, 2020 in §46.2-1315 of the Code of Virginia. While the City imposed a prohibition, we welcome proposals to provide micro mobility options in Lexington, and the prohibition can be reconsidered based on the quality of any proposal received.

Flood Maps

Should you need information about flood maps, please visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency website. There is a tutorial available, as well as the flood maps for Lexington.

Code Enforcement

The department enforces all building and property maintenance codes which include reviewing plans and specifications for proposed construction, issuing permits, and conducting required inspections.

Housing Programs

The department also manages the city's housing programs. This includes writing and administering grants from federal and state agencies with the emphasis on housing-related issues, including affordable housing.

Lexington Housing Study 2025 - In the fall of 2024, Summit Design and Engineering Services conducted a City-wide Housing and Infrastructure Assessment. The funding for the assessment was provided by a grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

Video presentation to Threshold Housing Commission - February 26, 2025

Homeowner Helper Program

The Lexington Homeowner Helper Program is a collaboration of the City of Lexington (“City”) and the Lexington Economic Development Authority (“EDA”) to promote safe and affordable housing in the City and to benefit the safety, health, welfare, and prosperity of the City’s residents. To accomplish these objectives, this City program provides financial assistance to Lexington property owners who live in their own homes but who lack the financial ability to adequately maintain those homes.  

Homeowner Helper Draft 9.24.2025

Threshold & Planning Commission Joint Housing Educational Session - November 17, 2021

Youtube Video | DropBox Audio

Threshold & Planning Commission Joint Housing Educational Session - May 25, 2022

Youtube Video | DropBox Audio

Preliminary Subdivision Applications

Site Plan Applications

Conditional Use Permit Applications

Campus Master Plans (I-1 Zoning District)

Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

Green Infrastructure Initiative

Boards & Commissions

The Planning and Development Department provides staff support to the following boards and commissions:

All Meeting Packets and Audio

Planning Forms and Applications