Critical Slope Lot Regulation

The Charlottesville City Council adopted a revised critical slopes ordinance on January 17, 2012. The updated ordinance defines critical slopes as any slope that has a grade of 25% or higher, is within 200 feet of a waterway, has a horizontal run of 20 feet or more, and has an area of 6,000 square feet or more. It grants the council the ability to waive the critical slopes ordinance's prohibition on development if the benefits to the public of disturbing the slope outweigh the benefits of an undisturbed slope or if the ordinance would unreasonably restrict the use of a property. The council may also impose conditions on the granting of a waiver.