Cape Charles Board Denies Appeal Challenging Zoning Decision on Jefferson Avenue Property

CAPE CHARLES, Va. — The Cape Charles Board of Zoning Appeals voted Monday to deny an appeal from local homeowners challenging a zoning determination that restricts short-term rentals on their property.

Greg and Emily Gentry, owners of 542 Jefferson Avenue, had appealed a February 4 decision by the town’s Zoning Administrator, who ruled that while the property’s accessory building qualifies as a legal, non-conforming Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), it cannot be used as a short-term rental. The administrator also concluded that the lot does not meet the town’s requirements for having two principal structures.

The Board held a public hearing and meeting on May 13 to consider the matter. After taking the previously tabled appeal—designated APPEAL2025-01—off the table, members voted to uphold the zoning determination and reject the Gentrys’ challenge.

Zoning determinations clarify how town ordinances apply to specific properties, and the appeals process allows property owners to contest such interpretations if they believe an error was made.

The Board’s decision means the Gentrys may not list their ADU for short-term rental use, a restriction that aligns with Cape Charles’ ongoing efforts to manage housing density and maintain neighborhood character in the face of rising tourism and demand for vacation rentals.

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Wayne Creed

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