Zoning Overlay Districts

  1. Historic Overlay
  2. River Protection Overlay
  3. Reservoir Protection Overlay
  4. Highway Corridor Overlay
  5. Airport Protection Overlay

The County has adopted several Historic Overlay Districts to help preserve, protect, and promote important historical sites. The first districts were originally adopted in April, 1988. There are currently 8 such districts, totaling approximately 5,800 acres:

  • The Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park: Several sites - Wilderness, Brockroad, Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania Courthouse, and Artillery Ridge.
  • The Rapidan Dam Canal of the Rappahannock Navigation: From the confluence of the Rapidan and Rappahannock Rivers, stretching downstream along the Rappahannock for 1 ½ miles and encompassing 500 feet on either side of the canal.
  • Tubal Furnace Archeological Site: Near where Pipe Dam Run crosses Spotswood Furnace Rd (Route 620).
  • Spotsylvania Courthouse District: The historic core of Spotsylvania, encompassing approximately 67 acres, generally around the original Spotsylvania Courthouse.
  • St. Julien: Southwest of the intersection of Mills Dr (U.S. 17) and Sandy Lane Dr (Route 2).
  • Prospect Hill: North of Lake Anna on Monrovia Rd (Route 612).
  • Massaponax Church: At the northwest quadrant of the Jefferson Davis Hwy (U.S. 1)/Massaponax Church Rd (Route 608) intersection.
  • LaVista: East of Interstate-95 on Guinea Station Rd (Route 607).

Each district is subject to the requirements of Article 7, Division 3 of the Zoning Ordinance. Additionally, development within the historic districts is subject to review and approval by the Historic Preservation Commission. The boundaries of each district are shown as a layer on the online GIS.