To amend City Code § 30-930.9, concerning additional rights of owners to demolish certain properties, to establish a civil penalty for the razing, demolition, or moving of historic landmarks as authorized by Va. Code § 15.2-2306(F).

This ordinance, No. 2025-265, introduced on December 15, 2025, and scheduled for a public hearing on January 12, 2026, amends City Code § 30-930.9 to establish a significant civil penalty for the unauthorized razing, demolition, or moving of historic landmarks or structures within historic districts. The new penalty will be equivalent to twice the market value of the demolished or moved building, based on its assessed value at the time of the event. This measure is enabled by Virginia Code § 15.2-2306(F) and HB1415 (2024), championed by Delegate Delores McQuinn.

The legislation addresses a critical gap identified in 2023 when historic 100-year-old storefronts in Church Hill were torn down without proper permits, resulting in only a $200 fine. This amendment aims to provide a more effective deterrent against unpermitted demolitions. It is a key initiative, or "Big Move," outlined in the City of Richmond Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan (April 2025), which was developed with extensive community input. The ordinance clarifies that property owners still retain a "right to demolish" if they follow existing procedures, which include being denied by the Commission of Architectural Review and City Council, and then making a bona fide offer to sell the property for a period of 3 to 12 months, depending on its offering price.

This ordinance will significantly increase financial penalties for anyone who illegally demolishes or moves a historic building, aiming to better protect Richmond's historic character and neighborhood integrity from unpermitted destruction. It reinforces the value placed on the city's cultural heritage and provides a stronger deterrent against actions that diminish it.

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