Chesterfield County is proposing a new zoning ordinance (“ZOMOD”) that would eliminate the category "Churches" completely; the replacement, “Religious Institutions,” would strip schools, preschools, nurseries, day care ministries, modular classrooms, house churches, mobile churches renting space, and even tent meetings from being legally recognized as religious institutions.

This dangerous change would:

-Violate Virginia Code § 22.1-289.031, which protects child day centers operated by religious institutions.

-Contradict 23VAC10-210-310, which defines churches to include preschools, nurseries, and day care centers as integral church ministries.

-Conflict with federal law (RLUIPA), which prohibits local governments from burdening religious exercise through zoning restrictions.

-Place ministries under the threat of taxation, discriminatory treatment, and denial of their religious identity.

This is not just about one church or one school. If passed in October 2025, this will impact every congregation, every Christian school, and every ministry in Chesterfield County — including those renting space, using modulars, or meeting in homes and tents.

Our First Amendment rights and historic religious exemptions are at stake.

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Petition Demands (What We Want)

We, the undersigned, call on the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors to:

1. Reject the proposed redefinition of “Religious Institution.”

2. Affirm the rights of churches, schools, and ministries under Virginia law and federal RLUIPA protections.

3. Defend religious liberty for all citizens of Chesterfield County.

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Call to Action

The good news is this ordinance has not yet passed. We still have a voice. The next meeting of the Board of Supervisors is Wednesday, September 17th, 2025 at 6 p.m. located at:

Public Meeting Room

10001 Iron Bridge Road

Chesterfield, VA 23831

You can also post a comment to the Board of Supervisors at the following link:

https://www.chesterfield.gov/1256/Public-Comments

Please sign and share this petition to stand with churches, schools, and ministries in protecting our God-given, constitutional, and historic freedoms.

Together, we can stop this overreach and ensure that religious liberty continues to flourish in Chesterfield County.