Important Community & Legal Info

In addition to the governing documents for Readers Branch, many other 'outside' plans, codes and laws affect the Community and surrounding area.

Goochland County Comprehensive Plan

The Comprehensive Plan is a long range plan that will help guide the physical development of the County for the next 20 years. The Code of Virginia requires localities to adopt a comprehensive plan for the physical development of jurisdictions. A comprehensive plan provides a blueprint for the future by establishing a framework for growth and development. The plan will provide Goochland County guidance for the formation and implementation of various tools that guide growth and development decisions. At least once every five years the comprehensive plan must be reviewed by the Planning Commission to determine whether it is advisable to amend the plan. The comprehensive plan must be general in nature, meaning it designates the general or approximate location, character, and extent of features shown on the Future Land Use Maps or other maps or described within the text.

Click below for more information regarding the Comprehensive Plan, the Centerville Village Plan and other Goochland Village Plans:

Goochland County 2035 Comprehensive Plan
Centerville Village Plan
Goochland Village Plans Homepage

Solar Energy Collection Devices

In 2021, the General Assembly approved legislation regarding solar energy collection devices in communities with HOAs. The Code of Virginia now says that unless specifically prohibited in the Declaration, the HOA cannot turn down requests for solar installations. The Readers Standards do state that they should be located on the rear roofline, however, the HOA cannot restrict placement on the front of the home if the certified specialist finds that to do so would increase the cost more than 5% or reduce the energy output by more than 10%. This documentation is required as part of the application process.

The full text of the Code Section may be found here:

Code of Virginia - § 55.1-1820.1

Fair Housing Laws

The Federal and Virginia Fair Housing Statutes can affect many decisions made by the Board including ARB applications and reasonable accommodations. The full texts of the laws may be found here:

Virginia Fair Housing Law
Federal Fair Housing Act