Portsmouth, VA Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)

Sec. 2-310(A) creates the Resilient Site and Building Bonuses program to promote sustainable development addressing climate change, stormwater runoff, and sea level rise. Subsection (A)(1)(a)(i) authorizes a total density bonus of up to a maximum of 20 percent beyond the maximum allowable gross residential density for development that provides qualifying features. 2-310(1) scales the bonus to the number of features: providing one feature from Group A, or two from Group B, earns up to a 10 percent density increase; providing two Group A features, or four Group B features, unlocks the full 20 percent.

2-310(2)'s menu, covering energy generation, recycling and waste reduction, stormwater management, and certified green building performance such as LEED or Energy Star. The bonus is available only to new development in the commercial, industrial, special, Downtown (D1), and UR-M zoning districts, and Sec. 2-310(C)(2) limits the D1 district bonus to building height or gross residential density alone. A developer must submit a written bonus request with the development application, and the bonus is reviewed during whichever process applies: a Use Permit (Sec. 2-533), a Zoning Text/Map Amendment (Sec. 2-532), a Site Plan, or a Zoning Permit (Sec. 2-530). Sec. 2-310(2) expressly says otherwise.