Frequently Asked Questions

Use the county’s mapping system to check a property’s zoning. You may also view what is allowed under certain zoning districts though the Zoning Ordinance. Also check to see if the proposed use is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Please call the Planning & Zoning office for an official determination of zoning. A property owner may need to rezone their property or obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) before developing it or using it for a specific use. These processes require public hearings and are subject to Board of Supervisors approval. Should a rezoning or Conditional Use Permit be needed, one or more of the following application may be required. Contact Planning and Zoning before beginning the rezoning or Conditional Use application process. • Pre-Application • Rezoning application • Conditional Use Permit application ________________________________________ BUSINESS & INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT Overview The county zoning ordinance requires that all non-residential development or redevelopment have an approved site plan/Plan of Development filed with the Environmental and Land Development Office. This is done to protect property owners and citizens and to ensure basic standards for health and safety. Site plan regulations apply to all commercial, industrial, multi-family, churches, and institutional uses. Before submitting a site plan for review, check the zoning of the property to determine if the proposed use is permitted. Please contact the Planning & Zoning office to obtain an official determination of zoning. Developers are encouraged to contact the Environmental and Land Development Office prior to the submission of a site plan application. All site plans are reviewed by the community development review team which consists of Environmental, Planning, Public Utilities, Building Inspector's Office, Fire Marshal, and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). A licensed professional such as a civil engineer, surveyor, or landscape architect is typically required to prepare site plans, which may include architectural elevations and a site lighting plan. If locating a business in an existing structure, check with Zoning to be sure that the business is suitable for the site. There may be parking, lighting, screening, or land use issues that need to be addressed. Contact the Building Inspector's Office to determine if any building permits will be required. Design Overlay Districts Please note that the County has design overlay districts along our major corridors (River Road West, River Road, Broad Street Road, and Ashland Road) and in certain villages (Centerville, Goochland Courthouse, and Oilville). These entrance corridors and village center overlay districts are created to conserve elements of the county's scenic beauty and to preserve and protect corridors and areas. A Certificate of Approval permit is required for any exterior improvements, including signs, or new construction. The Planning & Zoning department reviews and issues COA applications. ________________________________________ RESIDENTIAL Residential or Agricultural Lot Divisions To divide a parcel(s) to create new residential lots the development plan must be reviewed through the residential subdivision review process. In some instances, if a property is not zoned for residential uses it must first be rezoned before proceeding through the subdivision or site plan process. Subdividing land requires approval from the Planning department. Creating a new lot falls into one of these three processes. The Zoning Administrator will determine which process to follow based on: • The number of lots proposed • The need to extend public utilities (water and sewer) to the property • The need to upgrade or construct roads to serve the development • The need to construct public drainage improvements to serve the development Please contact the Planning & Zoning Office to discuss the scope of the proposed division before submitting any applications. Minor Subdivision A minor subdivision is the division of a parent tract into less than five (5) lots and family subdivisions which results in one (1) division per family member. Also, the first two (2) divisions of land into parcels which are twenty (20) acres or more and all parcels in excess of forty (40) acres will not count toward a major subdivision, but will be counted for road construction requirements as spelled out in Article 5, Section 6 of the Subdivision Ordinance. For more information, please see the Minor Subdivision Brochure Family Divisions A subdivision in which one (1) division of the parent tract is made available to any person who is a natural or legally defined offspring, spouse or parent of the owner. Family divisions have different review criteria and a separate review process from other residential subdivisions. The family exception may not be used to circumvent the Subdivision Ordinance. For more information, please see the Minor Subdivision Brochure Major Subdivision The division of land into five (5) or more lots. Major subdivisions require both tentative plat and final plat approvals. Please see the Major Subdivision Brochure for more information.

To divide a parcel(s) to create new residential lots the development plan must be reviewed through the residential subdivision review process. In some instances, if a property is not zoned for residential uses it must first be rezoned before proceeding through the subdivision or site plan process. Subdividing land requires approval from the Planning department. Creating a new lot falls into one of these three processes. The Zoning Administrator will determine which process to follow based on: • The number of lots proposed • The need to extend public utilities (water and sewer) to the property • The need to upgrade or construct roads to serve the development • The need to construct public drainage improvements to serve the development Please contact the Planning & Zoning Office to discuss the scope of the proposed division before submitting any applications. Minor Subdivision A minor subdivision is the division of a parent tract into less than five (5) lots and family subdivisions which results in one (1) division per family member. Also, the first two (2) divisions of land into parcels which are twenty (20) acres or more and all parcels in excess of forty (40) acres will not count toward a major subdivision, but will be counted for road construction requirements as spelled out in Article 5, Section 6 of the Subdivision Ordinance. For more information, please see the Minor Subdivision Brochure Family Divisions A subdivision in which one (1) division of the parent tract is made available to any person who is a natural or legally defined offspring, spouse or parent of the owner. Family divisions have different review criteria and a separate review process from other residential subdivisions. The family exception may not be used to circumvent the Subdivision Ordinance. For more information, please see the Minor Subdivision Brochure Major Subdivision The division of land into five (5) or more lots. Major subdivisions require both tentative plat and final plat approvals. Please see the Major Subdivision Brochure for more information.

Projects that involve building a new structure, altering an existing structure, demolishing, or changing the use of a structure requires a permit. This includes structures such as an addition, accessory structures over 256 sq. ft., swimming pools, and some interior remodeling. Most electrical, mechanical and plumbing work excluding basic repairs require a permit. You must obtain a permit before any work begins. For additional information concerning when a permit is required please contact the Department of Building Inspection at 804-556-5815 or visit the Building Permits and Inspections webpage. • Commercial Building Permit application • Commercial Trades Permit application • Residential Building Permit application • Residential Trades Permit application • Zoning Compliance Application

• The property owner or lessee of the building • An architect, contractor, or subcontractor employed in connection with the prospective work. Engineers, architects, contractors, or subcontractors must be licensed to practice in Virginia. • Before a permit is taken in by staff the credentials of every contractor are checked to verify if they have a County of Goochland business license and are licensed by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) to perform the scope of work indicated on the permit application.

A permit expires if work on the project has not begun within 6 months after issuance of the permit or the work on the project is suspended or abandoned for a period of 6 months after the permit is issued.

• Please visit Department of Building Inspection web page for the Commercial or Residential Fee Schedule

The County regulates the types, size, and location of signs. Most signs require a building permit. For sign regulations see the zoning ordinance or contact the Planning & Zoning department. Also contact Planning & Zoning to report sign violations. Design Overlay Districts Please note that the County has design overlay districts along our major corridors (River Road West, River Road, Broad Street Road, and Ashland Road) and in certain villages (Centerville, Goochland Courthouse, and Oilville). These entrance corridors and village center overlay districts are created to conserve elements of the county's scenic beauty and to preserve and protect corridors and areas. A Certificate of Approval permit is required for any exterior improvements, including signs, or new construction. The Planning & Zoning department reviews and issues COA applications. Road Name Signs Contact Planning to report a missing or damaged street name sign. All public road signs will be installed by the Goochland County. Private road signs are the responsibility of the property owners. You can place an order for a private road sign with the County and the fee is $45.00.