A. Any city, county or town may establish, by ordinance, one or more technology zones. Each locality may grant tax incentives and provide certain regulatory flexibility in a technology zone.

B. The tax incentives may be provided for up to ten years and may include, but not be limited to: (i) reduction of permit fees; (ii) reduction of user fees; and (iii) reduction of any type of gross receipts tax. The extent and duration of such incentive proposals shall conform to the requirements of the Constitutions of Virginia and of the United States.

C. The governing body may also provide for regulatory flexibility in such zone which may include, but not be limited to: (i) special zoning for the district; (ii) permit process reform; (iii) exemption from ordinances; and (iv) any other incentive adopted by ordinance, which shall be binding upon the locality for a period of up to ten years.

D. Each locality establishing a technology zone pursuant to this section may also adopt a local enterprise zone development taxation program for the technology zone as provided in § 58.1-3245.12.

E. The establishment of a technology zone shall not preclude the area from also being designated as an enterprise zone.

History

1995, c. 397; 1996, c. 830; 1997, c. 168; 2002, c. 449.