Sign our petition to city government to slow down and to improve the Code Refresh process.
GPRA supports strategic, incremental, well-planned zoning reform and growth with a process that includes a broad base of stakeholders and open dialogues with neighborhoods. We are requesting improvements to the process.
GPRA supports strategic, incremental, well-planned zoning reform and growth with a process that includes a broad base of stakeholders and open dialogues with neighborhoods. We are requesting improvements to the process.
RVA "Code Refresh"
As you all may know, the City of Richmond is deep into a re-write of its 1970’s era zoning code. It is referred to as a “Code Refresh,” however it is actually a totally new code, intended to implement the long-term land use plan included in the Richmond 300 master plan.
If you have not yet looked into how this “zoning refresh” will affect all Ginter Park residents (homeowners and renters alike), now is the time to do so as it is moving along very quickly, and the time for public comment is short.
At this point in the 2-year process, the code-writing staff has issued the following documents, available at the links below.
If you have not yet looked into how this “zoning refresh” will affect all Ginter Park residents (homeowners and renters alike), now is the time to do so as it is moving along very quickly, and the time for public comment is short.
At this point in the 2-year process, the code-writing staff has issued the following documents, available at the links below.
MEETING ALERTS (plus past meeting recordings)
GPRA Meetings
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
6:00 to 8:00 PM
Ginter Place Meeting Room
1350 Westwood Avenue
Food & Beverages Served
Saturday, January 17, 2026
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Ginter Place Club Room
Coffee and Pastries Served
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Third District Meeting
6:30 pm at Linwood Holton Elementary School
This meeting will be devoted to Code Refresh 2.0. Kevin Vonck, Director of Richmond PDR and/or Marianne Pitts, Deputy Director, will provide a presentation.
Richmond City Zoning Advisory Council Meeting
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
4-6:30pm
City Hall - 5th Floor Conference Room
900 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
* Visit the city's Code Refresh page for past meeting recordings and presentations
Working Groups - Main Library, 101 E Franklin Street
Visit the city's Code Refresh Page to register for working groups
High Quality Places – Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 5-7:30pm
Thriving Environment – Thursday, January 15, 2026 from 2-4pm
Diverse Economy – Tuesday, January 20, 2026 from 4-6pm
Inclusive Housing – Wednesday, January 28, 2026 from 5:30-7:30pm
Equitable Transportation – Wednesday, February 4, 2026 from 5-7pm - Location TBD
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
6:00 to 8:00 PM
Ginter Place Meeting Room
1350 Westwood Avenue
Food & Beverages Served
Saturday, January 17, 2026
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Ginter Place Club Room
Coffee and Pastries Served
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Third District Meeting
6:30 pm at Linwood Holton Elementary School
This meeting will be devoted to Code Refresh 2.0. Kevin Vonck, Director of Richmond PDR and/or Marianne Pitts, Deputy Director, will provide a presentation.
Richmond City Zoning Advisory Council Meeting
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
4-6:30pm
City Hall - 5th Floor Conference Room
900 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
* Visit the city's Code Refresh page for past meeting recordings and presentations
Working Groups - Main Library, 101 E Franklin Street
Visit the city's Code Refresh Page to register for working groups
High Quality Places – Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 5-7:30pm
Thriving Environment – Thursday, January 15, 2026 from 2-4pm
Diverse Economy – Tuesday, January 20, 2026 from 4-6pm
Inclusive Housing – Wednesday, January 28, 2026 from 5:30-7:30pm
Equitable Transportation – Wednesday, February 4, 2026 from 5-7pm - Location TBD
ACTION STEPS
1. SIGN UP FOR OUR GPRA EMAIL BLAST
2. Stay tuned on social media: Facebook and Instagram
3. Visit the city's Code Refresh page
4. Attend Meetings (dates and times listed above and on our main calendar)
5. Add your comments to the city's zoning maps using links below
6. Share our Top Ten Concerns list with your neighbors.
The MOST CURRENT draft (#2) zoning map and use regulations being shared at the open houses are available online in an interactive format for you to review and comment on.*
2. Stay tuned on social media: Facebook and Instagram
3. Visit the city's Code Refresh page
4. Attend Meetings (dates and times listed above and on our main calendar)
5. Add your comments to the city's zoning maps using links below
6. Share our Top Ten Concerns list with your neighbors.
The MOST CURRENT draft (#2) zoning map and use regulations being shared at the open houses are available online in an interactive format for you to review and comment on.*
*Comments that you leave on the map and documents are visible to the public. Please be respectful, keep comments focused on the content, and refrain from using profanity. If you have any issues with commenting or any questions, please reach out to city planning at [email protected].
FURTHER READING
- Click here to access four summary research presentations put together by the GPRA Planning and Zoning committee.
- Code Refresh article in North of the James newspaper: read
- Promoting Housing Construction Through Local Zoning Preemption and Development Incentives, as produced by the Virginia Housing Coalition: presentation and full paper.
- The Double-Edged Sword of Upzoning, the Brookings Institute: read
- The Effects of Upzoning American Cities .... , NHSJS: read