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Frequently Asked Questions
The County's zoning regulations are set out in the Zoning Ordinance, which is Chapter 32 of the Prince William County Code of Ordinances. The Zoning Ordinance consists of text plus a map that classifies all land in the county into zoning districts, including agricultural and residential districts and commercial, office and industrial districts. The Zoning Ordinance is administered by the county's Zoning Administration office and is subject to periodic revision by action of the Board of County Supervisors.
If a use or type of development is not allowed under a property's current zoning, an applicant may file a rezoning application with the Planning Office. Applicants are encouraged to schedule a pre-application meeting with a planner before filing (Planning Office, 703-792-7615). After submittal, Planning Office staff review the application and prepare an analysis and recommendation. The Planning Commission then holds a public hearing and makes a recommendation, and at a subsequent public hearing the Board of County Supervisors considers the case and either approves or denies it. The Board's action is final.
A 'Special Use' is a land use that has the potential to create conflicts with uses on adjacent properties (for example, a gasoline station may raise issues of traffic, parking, fumes, lighting, and the use of flammable materials). A Special Use Permit is reviewed much like a rezoning: Planning Office staff review the application, the Planning Commission holds a public hearing and makes a recommendation, and the Board of County Supervisors approves or denies the permit. Approval may be made subject to conditions that limit the use or mitigate its potential negative impacts.
Proffers are conditions that a rezoning applicant may voluntarily offer to help address the impacts of a proposed land use. Proffer statements are reviewed as part of the rezoning application and are accepted by the Board of County Supervisors when it approves the rezoning. The county's Zoning Administration office handles proffer administration to track and enforce accepted proffers.
Prince William County's 2040 Comprehensive Plan is the long-range blueprint for the county's growth, redevelopment and preservation, articulating the goals and policies the Board of County Supervisors relies on when making land-use and public infrastructure decisions. It addresses topics such as land use, community design, economic development, environmental protection, housing, mobility, and utilities. One stated purpose of the Zoning Ordinance is to implement the intent and goals of the Comprehensive Plan.
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