On Monday, June 22, Richmond City Council passed a series of amendments to the city’s Zoning Ordinance that creates a set of regulations on short-term rental (STR) properties, which are usually advertised on apps like Airbnb. Those changes go into effect Wednesday, July 1. 
 
Before this ordinance passed, short-term rentals were not a permitted use in the City of Richmond’s Zoning Ordinance. Therefore, rental units offered for a period of fewer than 30 consecutive days were effectively prohibited. However, a March 2018 study revealed that 749 unique short-term rental units were active within city lines. 
 
The city recognized a need to formalize its stance on short-term rentals, working with Richmond Regional Tourism and PlanRVA to identify best practices and discuss the various approaches pursued by neighboring counties and cities. The city’s work group studied 14 localities, all of which were either located in Virginia or similar in size to Richmond, who had already implemented short-term rental regulations. 
 
“This is a great example of how city policies can make Richmond more competitive,” said Mayor Stoney. “I’m all about tourism and economic empowerment, letting Richmonders leverage their assets to strengthen our city’s economy. However, other cities have seen unfettered short-term rentals lead to speculative markets. Bottom line: the health of our city’s housing market must be protected. The Department of Planning and Development Review and Planning Commission have done a great job ensuring we have a responsible regulatory framework in place.”
 
For a two-month period in 2019, staff of the Planning and Development Review conducted an aggressive public input campaign, soliciting opinions via print and online surveys, emails and phone calls. The city’s team attended councilmembers’ meetings in all nine council districts and hosted two informational meetings exclusively focused on short-term rental regulations.
 
“Throughout the community engagement process, we have heard from both short-term rental operators and other residents who had concerns about STRs,” explained Mark Olinger, director of the Department of Planning and Development Review. “With these regulations, we hope to strike a balance by allowing homeowners to rent their properties to supplement their incomes while limiting the effects to the character of residential neighborhoods and the housing supply.”
 
The finalized regulations emulate best practices from around the Commonwealth, allowing short-term rental units to operate as an accessory use to dwelling units with conditions to ensure the health and safety of the renters and minimize any negative effect on the permanent residents of the neighborhood.
 
In order to operate a short-term rental, the rental unit must be the operator’s primary residence, meaning the operator must reside there at least 185 days a year. This protects the housing market from the speculative use of private residences as effective hotels and is present in the regulations of counties such as Henrico and Arlington. The number of nights a year each short-term rental can operate is currently unlimited.
 
The Planning Commission offered an amendment to the administration’s original ordinance. The amendment, recommended by the Planning and Development Review staff, requires the Department of Planning and Development Review to provide a report on the implementation of the ordinance in the summer of 2021.
 
Said Olinger of the amendment: “We appreciate the opportunity to review the implementation of the ordinance in a year to determine what amendments may need to be made to the regulations.”
 
For more information on short term rentals in the City of Richmond, visit http://www.richmondgov.com/PlanningAndDevelopmentReview/ShortTermRental….
 
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On Monday, July 6, the City of Richmond government facilities and offices will enter Phase Three of the city’s operating plan. 
 
The City of Richmond workforce has been operative throughout the State of Emergency, providing essential services to residents and businesses despite the public health crisis.
 
The city continues to urge residents to use available e-services. For questions about available city services, view this updated list.
 
First floor public access for walk-in services is provided in the following buildings for in-person payments:
City Hall;
Southside Plaza; and
East District Center.
Non-cash payments can be submitted in the drop boxes at the East District Center and City Hall. If requested, receipts will be mailed.
 
Please note that not all departments or agencies in each building will be open for walk-in services. For departmental specifics, visit this updated list.
  
In Phase Three, the maximum capacity in City Hall will increase to 200 members of the public. Public bathrooms on the first floor of City Hall and the Observation Deck will remain closed. 
 
Everyone entering City Hall must wear a face covering. A limited number of face-coverings will be available in city hall for customers who do not have them, as supplies allow. It is strongly recommended that members of the public bring their own face coverings. Scarves, bandanas, handkerchiefs are all acceptable face coverings as long as the garment covers the mouth and nose.
 
Residents must schedule appointments to access floors 2-17 in City Hall. All residents must check in at the security desk on the first floor. Building security will allow entry to public areas based upon the number of persons seeking services.
 
As a result of capacity limitations, some customers may be asked to wait outside of city facilities until sufficient space is available. City staff will do everything possible to expedite potential wait times and appreciates the public’s patience at this time.
   
Residents are encouraged to conduct business with the city electronically whenever possible.
 
City facilities and offices will be open to all employees, though capacity will be reduced to allow for adequate social distancing. City operational plans provide for staffing levels to meet anticipated demands for in person services.  
   
The following is a list of changes from Phase One operating procedure that will go into effect July 6:
 
The Office of the General Registrar is now keeping regular business hours. All services are provided in room 105. Lobby capacity is limited to two residents.
 
All Richmond Public Libraries will be open to the public on a reduced schedule at 50 percent capacity. Strict social distancing will be adhered to. To facilitate this, study rooms will be closed, and computer usage will be limited to 50 percent capacity. The curbside borrowing and return service will be discontinued. Visit https://rvalibrary.org/about/hours/ to see individual branch hours.
 
Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities continues to phase in the use of public facilities. Starting July 6, athletic Fields are available for rentals provided that practices are in line with the governor’s guidelines. There will no longer be any parking restrictions at Ancarrow’s Landing or Pony Pasture.
 
Please note that all parks remain open for recreational use. Social distancing in parks is required, and face-coverings are recommended in busier spaces where consistent social distancing is challenging. A complete list of PRCF facilities open in Phase Three is available on the available city services list.
 
The Department of Planning and Development Review is accepting business at the Permit Center in City Hall. However, all permit submission must still be done electronically through the online permit portal or OneDrive. The Permit Center lobby will reopen to the public July 6 but will no longer accept walk-in applications or payment for services in order to limit interactions between staff and the public.
 
Payment for all fees in EnerGov can be made electronically.
 
Submit the following applications via the online permit portal: BLD-R, ELE-R, GAS-R, MEC-R, PLB-R, CZC and Plan of Development.
 
Submit the following applications via OneDrive: WISP, Encroachment, ESMP, Land Disturbance, ZCL, BLD-C, BZA, SUP, all commercial trade and miscellaneous construction permits, and any auxiliary forms that may be needed for these submission types. 
 
The Department of Social Services will remain closed to the general public with services available as listed on the updated city services list.
 
For a list of available city services, click here.

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On Wednesday, July 1, the City of Richmond will move into Phase Three of the state’s reopening plan, Forward Virginia.
 
“In light of the data we’re seeing and the accessibility of testing and secure isolation, I’m comfortable with our city entering Phase Three of Forward Virginia alongside the rest of the Commonwealth,” said Mayor Stoney.
 
“However, we know that to keep moving forward in the recovery process, we have to maintain the same cautious, respectful attitudes and practices we’ve been normalizing for the past three months,” he continued. “Wear a mask, keep your distance and get tested.”
 
Since mid-March, the City of Richmond has operated under various stages of closure while adopting basic practices that are proven to fight the spread of COVID-19: wearing face coverings, practicing social distancing, sanitizing hands and spaces and intentionally protecting the most vulnerable individuals and communities.
 
The governor’s face covering requirement in indoor public spaces is still in place. 
 
The Richmond City Health District, alongside the City of Richmond, continues to provide testing opportunities, primary care support, mask distribution and supported isolations for those that need it. For information on testing availability in the Richmond area, use the Virginia Department of Health’s zip code testing locator, or call the Richmond City and Henrico County COVID-19 Hotline at 804-205-3501.
 
“As we look at local and regional trends in cases, hospitalization data and indications of hospital capacity, I support Richmond advancing into Phase Three,” said Director of Richmond City and Henrico County Health Districts Dr. Danny Avula. “However, our ability to move past Phase Three is contingent on all of us continuing to the practices that we know work to limit the spread of disease: symptom screening, handwashing, mask-wearing and physical distancing. We continue to urge strict adherence to the Governor’s guidelines.”
 
“The residents and businesses of our city have made selfless adjustments to help control the spread of this virus in our community,” said the mayor. “Still, evidence from other states suggests we need to approach this reopening cautiously and conscientiously. We must keep doing all we can to keep everyone, especially our most vulnerable populations, safe.”
 
The Commonwealth of Virginia has determined the guidelines that businesses and individuals who patronize those businesses should abide by during Phase Three. The following information is a summary of the requirements the state has made of businesses who wish to open during Phase Three. Requirements and best practices are available online in full here.
 
Note: The state requires all businesses serving the public to undertake rigorous sanitation practices and display extensive signage promoting the health and safety of patrons and employees. The signage should clearly state that no one with a fever or symptoms of COVID-19 or known exposure to a COVID-19 case in the prior 14 days, is permitted in the establishment. It should also include reminders of public health precautions, such as social distancing, isolating when sick and options for high-risk individuals.
 
Gatherings of any kind, social or faith-based:
 
There is a 250-person limit on gatherings of all kinds.
 
Individuals attending religious services must be seated at least six feet apart from a party from a different household. All items used to distribute food or drink must be disposable, used only once and immediately discarded.
 
Restaurant and beverage services:
 
Establishments can open at full capacity as long as the mandatory six feet of social distancing is maintained between parties at all times. Bar areas can be opened, but six feet of distance between customers is mandatory.
 
All parties, whether seated together or dispersed across multiple tables, are limited to 250 patrons, per the guidance on social gatherings.
 
If live musicians are performing at an establishment, they must stay 10 feet from other patrons and staff.
 
Non-essential brick and mortar:
 
Establishments can open at full capacity as long as the mandatory six feet of social distancing is maintained between parties at all times. Guidelines encourage management to mark six-foot increments for customers to adhere to while standing in line.
 
Fitness and exercise facilities:

Establishments can open at 75 percent occupancy. 10 feet of social distancing is required between patrons and staff. To facilitate this, management should distance fitness equipment at least 10 feet apart.
 
The total number of attendees for a fitness or exercise class shall not exceed 250, in accordance with the guidance on gatherings.
 
Indoor and outdoor swimming pools:
 
Both indoor and outdoor pools can open at 75 percent capacity, with 10 feet of distance required. Free swim is allowed, in addition to all activities allowed under Phase Two, including diving, lap swim and instruction. 10 feet of social distancing is still required when engaging in these activities.
 
Hot tubs, spas, saunas, splash pads, spray pools and other interactive play features will remain closed.
 
Recreational sports:
 
Where practicable, indoor and outdoor recreational sports should maintain 10 feet of distance between instructors, participants and spectators.
 
Participation is limited to 50 percent of the occupancy load of the recreational space, capped at 250 people in total, in accordance with the guidance on gatherings. For sports played on a field, attendees are limited to 250 persons per field.
 
Personal care and personal grooming services:
 
Establishments can open at full capacity and take walk-in customers instead of limiting service to appointments. Social distancing is required between workstations.
 
Appointments should be staggered to allow for ample cleaning time. Customers must wear a face covering throughout the service.
 
Entertainment and public amusement:
 
All venues may open at half capacity, which is not to exceed 1000 people.
 
Private bookings are limited to no more than 250 people.
 
10 feet of distance should be maintained between all performers, participants and patrons who are not members of the same household, regardless of the venue’s capacity.
 
Establishments should reconfigure areas to encourage social distancing, which can include spacing out seating areas, posting ample signage and making regular audio announcements. The availability of interactive exhibits and shared items should be discontinued for the time being to reduce the potential for transmission through shared surfaces.
 
 
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Mayor Stoney announced today that he is appointing Deputy Chief Gerald Smith of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Police Department as the new chief of the Richmond Police Department. 
 
Smith will assume the position on July 1.
 
“Deputy Chief Gerald Smith is who Richmond needs right now – a reform-minded leader with deep experience in community policing and de-escalation,” said Mayor Stoney.
 
Smith currently serves as the Executive Officer of Investigative Services in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. In that position, he commands criminal investigations including domestic violence, crimes against children, sexual assault and homicide. 
 
He has been with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department since 1991, rising in the ranks from community police officer to deputy chief.
 
Current Interim Chief William “Jody” Blackwell has asked to return to his former position of major. He will continue serving as interim chief until July 1.
 
“I am grateful for Interim Chief Blackwell’s continued service to the Richmond Police Department,” said Mayor Stoney. “Since the departure of former Chief William Smith, we have been searching for a permanent chief. I’m excited for Gerald Smith, a proven change-agent, to serve Richmond in that capacity.”
 
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The allocation represents 30 percent of the city’s CARES Act funding from the state

The Stoney administration today announced that $6 million of the $20.1 million in CARES Act funding provided to the city by the state will go to fund the Eviction Diversion Program and rental assistance.
 
The sum represents 30 percent of the state’s total allocation to the City of Richmond.
 
The funding will support both households currently facing evictions pending in the courts as well as those at risk of eviction due to economic challenges arising from COVID-19.
 
“From both a human services and a public health perspective, it is paramount that Richmond residents do not face housing insecurity during this pandemic,” said Mayor Stoney. “In the long-term recovery from this crisis, we want to make sure the city’s doing everything it can to empower residents, especially during the most challenging moments of their lives.”
 
The eviction moratorium issued by Governor Northam expires on Monday, June 29. 1900 households in Richmond currently face a pending eviction. Those cases will move forward if the eviction moratorium is not extended.

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