HB 2499 Virginia House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Comprehensive plan; subdivision ordinance, local approvals, report.

Summary
Comprehensive plan; subdivision ordinance; local approvals; work group. Provides that a locality's comprehensive plan shall not constitute the basis, in whole or in part, whether directly or through incorporation into any zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance, or other ordinance or manual, for the disapproval of a site plan, subdivision plat, or other administrative approval that is otherwise in conformity with duly adopted standards, ordinances, and statutes. The bill also shortens the timeframes for various local government approvals of subdivision plats and site plans. Additionally, the bill calls on the Virginia Code Commission to convene a work group consisting of various stakeholders to review existing provisions related to the submission, review, and approval of subdivision plats and site plans. The work group shall develop recommendations to (i) organize procedural steps in a clear, logical, and sequential order to enhance ease of reference; (ii) clarify the processes, requirements, and timelines applicable to each type of plat or plan; (iii) standardize terminology to ensure consistency, reduce ambiguity, and minimize misinterpretation; and (iv) identify and eliminate redundant or duplicative provisions to streamline the Code and improve its usability and shall submit a report by November 1, 2025.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Feb 4, 2025
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What changed between versions

Introduced HCCT Sub: Subcommittee #3 Substitute · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends Virginia's subdivision plat review process to streamline timelines and clarify procedures for local planning commissions. It removes § 15.2-2232 (comprehensive plan requirements) from the amendment scope, focusing instead on §§ 15.2-2259 and 15.2-2260. The bill reduces review timeframes for certain plat submissions, clarifies resubmission procedures, and adds a requirement for a Code Commission work group to review subdivision plat provisions by November 2025.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed from three Code sections to two sections, removing comprehensive plan requirements while maintaining and clarifying subdivision plat review procedures.
SCOPE

Removed § 15.2-2232 (comprehensive plan requirements) from the bill's amendment scope, now only amending §§ 15.2-2259 and 15.2-2260.

TIMELINE

Changed plat review timeframes from 60 days to 40 days for certain submissions, and from 45 days to 30 days for resubmissions.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified resubmission review procedures to limit commissions to previously identified deficiencies after second resubmission, with additional review allowed for material revisions.

Added requirement for Virginia Code Commission to convene a work group to review subdivision plat provisions and submit recommendations by November 1, 2025.

TECHNICAL

Corrected inconsistent timeframes and formatting throughout the sections, including fixing '10 business five days' to '10 business days' and other timeline inconsistencies.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
1
Committee
3
Jan 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (5-Y 3-N)
lower
Jan 20, 2025
Committee
Assigned CCT sub: Subcommittee #3
lower
Jan 8, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
lower
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors