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Environmental

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1. What is a Plan of Development (POD)?

The Plan of Development (POD) review process was implemented to ensure that certain types of development meet the applicable requirements of the zoning, subdivision, building, and fire codes and ordinances.
A Plan of Development is a multiphase process during which the applicant submits for review and approval drawings of a property that depict proposed building layout, water and sewer lines, roads, drainage, landscaping and other necessary improvements. The proposed use of the property must be permitted by the current zoning classification. The POD is reviewed and approved administratively by staff after reviews by Environmental Engineering, Zoning, VDOT, Public Utilities, Building Official, and the Fire Marshal. If required, a POD must be approved prior to issuance of any building permit associated with the POD approval.
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2. When is a Plan of Development required?

A POD is generally required for:
• Any commercial building or structure that requires a building permit
• Any development that requires infrastructure or parking improvements
• Any multi-family/mixed use development

3. What do I need in order to apply for a POD?

• 7 sets of engineered or surveyed prepared plans showing the improvements
• An application for POD
• The appropriate fees. See fee schedule included in the application.

POD Application

4. What is the POD review procedure? What can I expect?

1. Submit plans with application and appropriate fees
2. Plans will be routed to agencies for review
3. Agencies will comment on plans
4. POD Administrator will compile agency comments and mail a letter to the engineer and owner/developer
5. Engineer will resubmit plans based on comments received
6. Plans are resubmitted & routed for review by agencies
7. If plans are in approvable state, POD Administrator will inform owner/developer of any required bonds or agreements
8. Once required paperwork is completed, the plans can be approved.
The entire process can take as long as six months, depending on multiple variables. Please plan your development accordingly. Please see the flowchart in front of the POD application for more information.
POD application

5. Who do I contact to find the status of my POD review?

You may contact the Environment and Land Development Department at 804-556-5849 or 804-556-5860 or email dbyrd@goochlandva.us or sworley@goochlandva.us.

6. What is a Land Disturbing Permit (LDP)?

A Land Disturbing Permit (LDP) is a permit issued by the County to ensure proper land disturbing activities. Land disturbance means clearing, digging, or stockpiling dirt or topsoil. Improper land disturbance could result in soil erosion and damage to your property, adjacent properties and County waterways. Click here for more information

7. When is a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) required?

State law requires that any land disturbance over 10,000 sq. feet obtain a land disturbance permit. Land disturbance means clearing, digging, or stockpiling dirt or topsoil.

8. What do I need in order to apply for a LDP?

• 7 sets of engineered or surveyed prepared plans showing the area of disturbance and E&S measures
• An application for LDP
• The appropriate fees. See fee schedule included in the application.
LDP Application

9. What is the LDP review procedure? What can I expect?

1. Submit plans with application and appropriate fees
2. Plans will be routed to agencies for review
3. Agencies will comment on plans
4. POD Administrator will compile agency comments and mail a letter to the engineer and owner/developer
5. Engineer will resubmit plans based on comments received
6. Plans are resubmitted & routed for review by agencies
7. If plans are in approvable state, POD Administrator will inform owner/developer of any required bonds or agreements
8. Once required paperwork is completed, the plans can be approved.
The entire process can take as long as six months, depending on multiple variables. Please plan your development accordingly. Please see the flowchart in front of the LDP application for more information.
LDP application

10. Can my POD & LDP be reviewed together?

Yes, if your project will include disturbance greater than 10,000 sq. feet, your engineer may combine the LDP and POD drawings into one submittal. Please note that you will still need to submit both applications and fees.

11. What is a Stormwater Management Permit?

In 2014, the State passed legislation requiring review of both quantity and quality of storm water. You must obtain a Stormwater Management Permit if:
• Construction activities result in land disturbance equal to or greater than one (1) acre
• Construction activities that are part of a larger common plan or development or sale that ultimately result in land disturbance equal to or greater than one (1) acre. A larger common plan of development or sale is a contiguous area where separate and distinct construction activities may be taking place at different times on different schedules. A permit is required if one or more acres of land will be disturbed, regardless of the size of the individually owned or developed sites. For example, if a developer buys a 20-acre lot and builds roads with the intention of building homes or other structures in the future, or if the land is parceled off or sold, and construction occurs on plots that are less than an acre by separate, independent builders, these activities would still be subject to stormwater permitting requirements. A larger common plan of development or sale applies to various types of land development including but not limited to residential, commercial or industrial use.
Click here to determine if your need a SWP

12. Do I have to get a Stormwater permit for Single-Family Detached Residential Structures?

• Single-family detached residential structures that disturb less than one acre of land and that are not part of a larger common plan of development or sale (e.g., subdivision), including additions or modifications to existing single-family detached residential structures, do not require coverage under the general permit.
• Single-family detached residential structures that disturb less than one acre of land and that are part of a larger common plan of development or sale (e.g., subdivision) require coverage under general permit.
In addition, single-family detached residential structures that disturb equal to or greater than one acre of land require coverage under the general permit. Operators of these land-disturbing activities are authorized to discharge under the general permit and are not required to submit a registration statement or the Department of Environmental Quality portion of the permit fee. Operators must also comply with the terms and conditions of the general permit including the preparation of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
Click here to determine if you need a SWP for SFD

13. Who do I contact if I want to install a culvert for a driveway?

First, contact Planning & Zoning at 804-556-5860 to determine if your property allows for a driveway. Second, contact the VDOT at 1-800-367-7623 for installation.

14. I am a developer and want to build a road. What permits do I need?

A Plan of Development (POD) is required for all road work. If over 10,000 sq. feet of land will be disturbed, a Land Disturbing Permit (LDP) is also required. If over one (1) acre of land is disturbed, a storm water management permit is required.

15. Who do I contact if I want to build a bridge or install a culvert across a creek?

Please contact the Army Corps of Engineers at (757) 201-7652. Please note that it is unlawful to perform any work in a creek without first obtaining any necessary permits from the governing authorities.

16. Who do I contact if I want to create a pond? build a dam?

If you want to create a pond, you will need to obtain a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) from the County. In conjunction with the LDP, you may need to obtain a dam permit from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) or by calling (804) 786-1359. The criteria for the needing a permit from DCR is found on the Dam Safety page of their website.
If you want to dam a creek, you will need to contact the Army Corps of Engineers at (757) 201-7652 and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality at (804) 698-4000. You also may need to obtain a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) from the County. Please note that it is unlawful to perform any work in a creek without first obtaining any necessary permits from the appropriate authorities.

17. My well needs to be replaced. Who do I contact?

Please contact the State Health Department at 804-556-5843.

18. I need to find the location of my septic tank. Who do I contact?

Please contact the State Health Department at 804-556-5843.

19. The County has issued my Plan of Development (POD) or my Land Disturbance Permit (LDP). Who do I need to contact for my pre-construction meeting?

Once the County has issued your POD or LDP, please contact the Environmental Inspector at 804-657-2002.

20. The County informed me that I need to post a Bond for site improvements. What paperwork do I need?

County Ordinances require that all improvements be bonded. The County has templates that must be used when utilizing a performance bond or Letter of Credit.
Erosion & Sediment Control Performance Bond Template
Erosion &Sediment Control Letter of Credit Template
Road Performance Bond
Road Letter of Credit

An agreement must accompany each surety.
Erosion & Sediment Control Agreement
Road Construction Agreement

Please see the Environmental & Land Development website for these documents. Environmental and Land Development website

21. What is a Responsible Land Disturber (RLD)? Is there a required RLD form?

A responsible land disturber is someone who is certified by the Department of Conservation and Recreation to do site work. All Land Disturbance Permits (LDP) require a certified RLD to be on file with the County. The RLD form can be found on the Environmental & Land Development page.

Please note that this is a different form than used when obtaining a residential permit. Please see the Department of Building Inspections and Permits website for more information. RLD Form

22. My building and site is complete. How can I get my bond released?

Please contact the Environmental and Land Development Office at here or 804-556-5860.

23. When can apply for my Stormwater Management Permit?

You must apply for a Land Disturbance permit before or concurrently with the Stormwater Management permit.

24. What is the Stormwater Management Permit process? What can I expect?

The SWP process involves both Goochland County and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
1. Submit plans with application and appropriate fees
2. Plans will be routed to agencies for review and completeness
3. Agencies will comment on plans
4. Stormwater Engineer will compile agency comments and mail a letter to the engineer and owner/developer
5. Engineer will resubmit plans based on comments received
6. Plans are resubmitted & routed for review by agencies
7. If plans are in approvable state, Stormwater Engineer will inform owner/developer of any required paperwork
8. The registration statement is submitted to DEQ.
9. The owner/developer will receive fee information from DEQ.
10. Once DEQ fees are paid, DEQ will issue a coverage letter. Please note that this is not authorization to begin work.
11. Stormwater Engineer will determine if all paperwork is complete.
12. Stormwater Permit will be issued. Please note that a Stormwater Permit is not authorization to begin site work. A Land Disturbance Permit is required before any clearing can begin.

The entire process can take as long as six months, depending on multiple variables. Please plan your development accordingly. Please see the flowchart for more information.
Stormwater Management Permit process