Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA)

The Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA) District (Article X, Chapter 26 of the Chesapeake City Code; effective date: December 31, 2003) is composed of all lands identified on the map entitled "Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Map (CBPA map)," the "Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Specifications Manual" (CBPA Specifications Manual) and the "Intensely Developed Area Map" (IDA map) available in the Department of Planning.

The CBPA District is delineated on the CBPA map and/or the IDA map as one of the following: (1) Resource Protection Area (RPA), (2) Resource Management Area (RMA), or (3) Intensely Developed Area (IDA).

The Resource Protection Area (RPA) includes all tidal wetlands; tidal waters; non-tidal wetlands connected by surface flow and contiguous to tidal wetlands or water bodies with the perennial flow; shorelines; and a one hundred (100) foot vegetated buffer around each such feature and around all water bodies with the perennial flow.

The buffer area is designed to retard runoff, prevent erosion, and filter non-point source pollutants from runoff. The buffer area is also designed to achieve a level of 75% reduction in sediments and a 40% reduction in nutrients.

Resource Management Areas (RMAs) include those lands contiguous to the inland boundary of the RPA which have a potential for degrading water quality or diminishing the functional value of the RPA, if not properly managed. The RMA is shown on the CBPA map and includes, but is not limited to, the following land use categories: floodplains, highly erodible soils, including steep slopes, highly permeable soils; and non-tidal wetlands not included in the RPA.

The Intensely Developed Area (IDA) is a designated redevelopment area of the city that incorporates portions of the RPA and RMA. The IDA as displayed on the IDA Map includes areas in which development was concentrated as of January 21, 1992, so that little of the natural environment remains, and where at least one of the three conditions as described in Section 26-516.E of the Chesapeake City Code existed as of that date.