In 2006, the previous owners of The Camel and, WRIR filed for a special use permit because zoning laws at the time did not permit a radio station. The special use permit that was approved also placed limitations on entertainment at The Camel. Those limitations stipulated that "entertainment must end by 11pm Sunday through Thursday, and by 1am Friday and Saturday". The Camel never would have been subjected to these limitations had the business kept its original Urban Business Zoning. Instead, because of the special use permit issued principally to allow for the establishment of the radio station (which shares an address with the venue), these restrictions were applied to The Camel as well.

We are now, almost 8 years since the original special use permit was approved, looking to amend our special use permit so as to allow for music to go until 2am. The Camel hosts music of all genres, from bluegrass, jazz, rock, indie and folk, to punk and electronica, seven nights a week. We have hosted local, regional, and national acts such as Awolnation, Young The Giant, Ben Kweller, No Bs Brass, The Green Boys, Jackass Flats, Frank Turner, Tim Barry, and Justin Townes Earle, and are proud of the support and notoriety we have been able to provide to the local music and arts community. The limitations enumerated under the current special use permit have become prohibitive of our ability to best serve the needs of the community that supports us. A change is necessary if we are to continue providing a platform for local and national acts to share our stage and their creativity with the rich musical culture Richmond has grown to embody.

In the meantime we are complying with our special use permit and appreciate everyone’s support in helping us amend this.

RVA ALL DAY!

-rand