The Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) is intended to guide the growth and development of the City in accordance with the City's Comprehensive Plan. It works to protect the basic rights and general welfare of all city residents, while promoting development, growth, character, circulation, environmental integrity, and general compatibility for the City. The UDO defines the powers and duties of administrative officers and bodies, and establishes procedures for its implementation and enforcement.
On Monday, August 21, 2023, Richmond’s Common Council voted to approve Ordinance 22-2023, A General Ordinance Amending Chapter 154: Unified Development Ordinance. Originally adopted in 2010, the UDO has been amended twice before, with a substantial set of revisions in 2015 and an additional text amendment in 2020. In the 2023 update, Common Council considered 57 amendments that primarily represent one-off modifications to the use or development of zoning districts.
This page contains more information about the 2023 UDO update and an overview of major changes made to the UDO.