# Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2285: Preparation and adoption of zoning ordinance and map and amendments thereto; appeal > Virginia · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C22_A7_S15.2-2285 ## Section - **Citation:** Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2285 - **Heading:** Preparation and adoption of zoning ordinance and map and amendments thereto; appeal - **Jurisdiction:** Virginia - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 22 / Article 7 / Section 15.2-2285 ## Text A. The planning commission of each locality may, and at the direction of the governing body shall, prepare a proposed zoning ordinance including a map or maps showing the division of the territory into districts and a text setting forth the regulations applying in each district. The commission shall hold at least one public hearing on a proposed ordinance or any amendment of an ordinance, after notice as required by § 15.2-2204 , and may make appropriate changes in the proposed ordinance or amendment as a result of the hearing. Upon the completion of its work, the commission shall present the proposed ordinance or amendment including the district maps to the governing body together with its recommendations and appropriate explanatory materials. B. No zoning ordinance shall be amended or reenacted unless the governing body has referred the proposed amendment or reenactment to the local planning commission for its recommendations. Failure of the commission to report 100 days after the first meeting of the commission after the proposed amendment or reenactment has been referred to the commission, or such shorter period as may be prescribed by the governing body, shall be deemed approval, unless the proposed amendment or reenactment has been withdrawn by the applicant prior to the expiration of the time period. The governing body shall hold at least one public hearing on a proposed reduction of the commission's review period. The governing body shall publish a notice of the public hearing in a newspaper having general circulation in the locality at least two weeks prior to the public hearing date and shall also publish the notice on the locality's website, if one exists. In the event of and upon such withdrawal, processing of the proposed amendment or reenactment shall cease without further action as otherwise would be required by this subsection. C. Before approving and adopting any zoning ordinance or amendment thereof, the governing body shall hold at least one public hearing thereon, pursuant to public notice as required by § 15.2-2204 , after which the governing body may make appropriate changes or corrections in the ordinance or proposed amendment. However, no land may be zoned to a more intensive use classification than was contained in the documentation made available for examination pursuant to subsection A of § 15.2-2204 without an additional public hearing after notice required by § 15.2-2204 . Zoning ordinances shall be enacted in the same manner as all other ordinances. D. Any county which has adopted an urban county executive form of government provided for under Chapter 8 (§ 15.2-800 et seq.) may provide by ordinance for use of plans, profiles, elevations, and other such demonstrative materials in the presentation of requests for amendments to the zoning ordinance. E. The adoption or amendment prior to March 1, 1968, of any plan or ordinance under the authority of prior acts shall not be declared invalid by reason of a failure to advertise, give notice or conduct more than one public hearing as may be required by such act or by this chapter, provided a public hearing was conducted by the governing body prior to the adoption or amendment. F. Every action contesting a decision of the local governing body adopting or failing to adopt a proposed zoning ordinance or amendment thereto or granting or failing to grant a special exception shall be filed within 30 days of the decision with the circuit court having jurisdiction of the land affected by the decision. Such 30-day filing requirement shall be mandatory and jurisdictional. However, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to create any new right to contest the action of a local governing body. ce or amendment thereto or granting or failing to grant a special exception shall be filed within 30 days of the decision with the circuit court having jurisdiction of the land affected by the decision. Such 30-day filing requirement shall be mandatory and jurisdictional. However, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to create any new right to contest the action of a local governing body. Code 1950, §§ 15-822, 15-846, 15-968.7; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-493; 1964, c. 279; 1968, c. 652; 1970, c. 216; 1972, c. 818; 1975, c. 641; 1984, c. 175; 1988, cc. 573, 733, 856; 1989, c. 359; 1990, c. 475; 1991, c. 235; 1996, c. 867 ; 1997, c. 587 ; 2019, c. 483 ; 2023, cc. 506 , 507 ; 2026, c. 368 . ## Nearby sections - [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2280 Zoning ordinances generally](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C22_A7_S15.2-2280.md) - [Va. 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Code Ann. § 15.2-2285 Preparation and adoption of zoning ordinance and map and amendments thereto; appeal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C22_A7_S15.2-2285.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2286 (Effective until January 1, 2027) Permitted provisions in zoning ordinances; amendments; applicant to pay delinquent taxes; penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C22_A7_S15.2-2286.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2286.1 Provisions for clustering of single-family dwellings so as to preserve open space](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C22_A7_S15.2-2286.1.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2286.2 Small lot residential zoning district required](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C22_A7_S15.2-2286.2.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2287 Localities may require oath regarding property interest of local officials](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C22_A7_S15.2-2287.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2287.1 Disclosures in land use proceedings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C22_A7_S15.2-2287.1.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2288 Localities may not require a special use permit for certain agricultural activities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C22_A7_S15.2-2288.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2288.01 Localities shall not require a special use permit for certain small-scale conversion of biomass to alternative fuel](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C22_A7_S15.2-2288.01.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C22_A7_S15.2-2285. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.