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NOTE: The answers provided herein are for general information and there may be special circumstances associated with any particular property or permit requirement. It is highly suggested that you contact the Department of Planning & Community Development for more information about specific parcels of land and required permits.
BUILDING/ZONING PERMITS & SURVEYS
- When is a building/zoning permit required?
A building/zoning permit is required for all man-made improvements to real property. Man-made improvements include new homes, additions, renovations, remodeling, a change in use (i.e. conversion from a home furnishings store to a restaurant) and accessory buildings/structures over 150 square feet. However, if the accessory building/structure is less than 150 square feet and will have electric/plumbing service or is used in conjunction with a home occupation it will need to have a building/zoning permit.
- When is a certified house location plat required?
A certified house location plat is required when you apply for a building/zoning permit for a new home, addition, or an accessory building over 150 square feet on lots less than 3 acres in size.
NOTE: In Lake Land ‘Or, Lake Caroline, Bridlewood, Tanglewood, Belmont, Village of Ladysmith, Pendleton and Caroline Pines a certified house location plat is required.
- What is a certified house location plat?
This is a survey that has been performed by a surveyor, engineer or architect who is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- May I have more than 1 house on my property?
NO
- What is required on a (non-surveyed) plat plan for a building/zoning permit?
In order to get a building/zoning permit you will need to use an existing plat of your property and draw to scale the proposed location of your house (principle dwelling) and/or the location of any proposed or existing accessory building/structure.
You will need to show the exact distance from each property line to the outside walls of the proposed structure(s). You will also need to show the distance between any proposed accessory building/structure and your proposed house location. The use of distances written as 100 ft.+ does not meet the drawn to scale requirement and will result in a delay in processing your permit request.
- What are setbacks?
A setback is the required yard(s) or open space that surrounds a building.
- What is my setback (how to determine)?
In the Rural Preservation (RP) and Agricultural Preservation (AP) Zoning District the setbacks for are as follows:
Principle Structure (house);Principle Structure (house);
- On lots that are 10 or more acres in size,
- Front = 150 feet from the road right-of way
- One Side = 50 feet
- Two Sides = 100 feet
- Rear = 50 feet
Principle Structure (house);
- Front = 125 feet from the road right-of way
- One Side = 40 feet
- Two Sides = 80 feet
- Rear = 40 feet
Principle Structure (house);
- On lots that are less than 5 and greater than 2 acres in size,
- Front = 75 feet from the road right-of way
- One Side = 40 feet
- Two Sides = 80 feet
- Rear = 40 feet
Accessory Building/Structure;
- On lots that are less than 2 acres in size,
- Front = 40 feet from the road right-of way
- One Side = 15 feet
- Two Sides = 35 feet
- Rear = 35 feet
- Note: For all other zoning districts and/or subdivisions use Article XII (Zoning Table) for the principle structure setbacks.
ACCESSORY BUILDINGS/STRUCTURES:
- On all lots regardless of the zoning district or size,
- Located in the side or rear yard only
- Side = 5 feet
- Rear = 5 feet
- Principle Structure to Accessory = 10 feet
- Accessory to Accessory = 6 feet
- What is an accessory building/structure?
An accessory building may be any of the following: pre-fab storage building, metal storage building, carport, garage, shop, shed, pole barn, barn, in-ground or above ground pool, deck, or some other structure which is not designed nor intended to provide living quarters.
NOTE: The following cannot be used as accessory buildings/structures: camper(s), recreational vehicle(s), trailer(s), semi-trailer(s), vehicles or portion(s) of a vehicle(s), and manufactured/mobile home(s).
- May I construct an accessory building/structure before I build my house?
No, the principle structure/use (house) must be established prior to the construction of an accessory building/structure.
- Is there a height limit for my accessory building/structure?
Yes, it cannot exceed the height of the principle structure (house).
- What is the maximum size for an accessory building/structure?
The lesser of 30% of the minimum lot size for the zoning district or an area equal to the size of the principle structure.
Example: R-1 zoning with a minimum lot size of 25,000 square feet (0.57 acres), the maximum size of the accessory building/structure is 7,500 square feet. However, the principle structure is only 2,000 square feet. Therefore, the maximum size of all accessory buildings/structures is 2,000 square feet.
- May I place an accessory building/structure in my front yard?
No, only in the rear or side yard.
- What is the setback for an accessory building/structure?
- An accessory building/structure has to be at least five (5) feet from the rear and side lot lines.
- An accessory building/structure has to be at least ten (10) feet from the principle structure (house).
- An accessory building/structure has to be (6) six feet from all other accessory buildings/structures on the lot.
- Accessory buildings/structures have to be (40) forty feet from all public rights-of-way, easements and streets.
- What is the setback for an accessory building/structure on a double frontage lot (a road frontage on the front and rear)?
The accessory structure must meet the front yard setback from the road frontage at the rear of the lot.
- Do I need a building/zoning permit for an accessory structure, which is less than 150 square feet?
No, a building permit is not required unless you will be hooking up electrical or plumbing service to the structure.
FENCES & WALLS:
- Is a building/zoning permit required for a fence/wall?
No, a building permit is not required for a fence/wall. However, if you are constructing a privacy fence/wall it may not exceed seven (7) feet in height in the rear and side yards. The maximum height of a fence/wall in the front yard is three (3) feet. Additionally, on corner lots, all types of fences/walls shall not obstruct sight distance at the intersection.
- What is the setback for a fence/wall?
No, setback requirement for a fence/wall. The fence/wall can be placed on the property line.
SIGN PERMITS:- Do I need a sign permit?
Yes, all signs erected in Caroline County require a building/zoning permit.
- What is the maximum permitted size and height of a sign?
- Rural Preserve (RP) & Agricultural Preserve (AP) Zoning District –
- Business Signs - the maximum sign height is 20 feet, the aggregate area of all signs is 50 square feet, and only 1 free standing sign per parcel.
- Temporary Event Signs – the maximum height is 20 feet, the aggregate area of all signs is 16 square feet, and only 2 signs are permitted on a parcel.
- Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, RR-2, RR-5) –
- Home Occupation Signs – maximum height is 8 feet, maximum area is 4 square feet, and only 1 sign permitted on a parcel.
- Temporary Event Signs – maximum height is 8 feet, maximum area is 4 square feet, and only 1 sign permitted on a parcel.
- Business (B-1) & Industrial (M-1) Zoning Districts – for these districts refer questions to staff via e-mail, voice mail and/or written messages.
PLANNING DOCUMENTS:
- What is a Comprehensive Plan?
The Caroline County 2000-2004 Comprehensive Plan is a set of documents that describes the County's vision of future development in the County. The Comprehensive Plan has several sub-area plans: Ladysmith, Carmel Church, Port Royal, Cedon, Dawn, Childsburg, Skinker’s Neck and Bowling Green-Milford. Each component was specifically reviewed and approved by the Board of Supervisors following public meetings and public hearings. The Comprehensive Plan is a policy document that serves as a general guide for the Board of Supervisors. Unlike an ordinance, strict adherence to the Plan is not required.
- What is a subdivision ordinance?
Based on the Code of Virginia (15.2-2240) a subdivision ordinance {is a document which} assures the orderly subdivision of land and its development.
- What is a zoning ordinance?
Based on the Code of Virginia (15.2-2280) a locality’s zoning ordinance classifies the territory under its jurisdiction or any portion thereof into districts of such number, size and shape as it may deem best suited to carryout the purposes of this article and in each district may regulate, restrict, permit, and prohibit the following:
i. Determine the use of land, buildings & structures and other premises for agricultural, business, industrial, residential, flood plain, and other specific uses;
ii. Size, height, area, bulk, location, erecting, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, maintenance, razing and removal of structures;
iii. Areas and dimensions of land, water and air to be occupied by buildings, structures, and uses and courts, yards, and other open spaces to be left unoccupied by uses and structures,
including variations in the sizes of lots based on whether public water/sewer systems are available or used;
iv. Excavation or mining of soil or other natural resources.
PLANNING PROCESSES:- What is a Rezoning?
Rezoning is required when a property owner proposes to use land for purposes other than permitted by the current zoning classification. Caroline County uses a conditional rezoning process. A conditional request proposes to change the existing zoning district classification to another classification, which permits the proposed use. Additionally, it allows the owner to voluntarily proffer (offer) conditions and/or cash payments which may enhance the proposal, address concerns of nearby property owners and mitigate the fiscal impact of the proposed use. Proffers are similar to covenants, in that they "run" with the land. However, once they have been accepted by the Board of Supervisors, changing proffers requires submitting a proffer amendment request and public hearings before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
- What is a Special Exception/Use Permit?
The Special Exception/Use Permit (SEUP) procedure provides for certain uses which are permitted in a district but which may be approved with conditions or restrictions that make them compatible with surrounding properties. For example, telecommunication towers require a SEUP. The main differences between a special exception/use permit and a rezoning request are that the SEUP is always for a specific use (such as a telecommunications tower or pool hall), and the County can set the conditions for approval of the permit. In a rezoning request, the applicant voluntarily proposes conditions (proffers) that the County can either accept or reject.
- What is a Subdivision?
Subdivision is the process of creating one or more new lots from an existing parcel. The Department of Planning & Community Development must review subdivision of land and a subdivision plat must be recorded whenever a single parcel is divided into lots. The Planning Commission approves the preliminary plat and final plat is approved by staff.
- What is a major and minor subdivision?
A major subdivision is when three (3) or more lots are created. In the case of a major subdivision a hard surfaced road built to Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) standards is required. Major subdivision plats have to be approved by the Planning Commission.
A minor subdivision is when only two (2) lots are created (including the parent parcel). A fifty (50) access easement is required for access. Minor subdivision plats can be approved by staff.
- What is a family subdivision?
A family subdivision is when a parcel of land is transferred from one family member to another for the purpose of providing for the housing for the grantee. The minimum lot size for a family division is 2-acres. Additionally, no previous transfer under this provision has been granted to the grantee in this County. The property transferred cannot be subsequently transferred to non-family member for a period of five (5) years.
- What is a Site Plan?
A document prepared by an engineer, licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia, which is drawn to scale showing the proposed improvements for a parcel of land. A site plan is required for all proposed land uses except single-family dwellings and non-intensive agricultural operations. All site plans must be submitted to the Department of Planning and Community Development to receive approval. An approved site plan is required before issuance of building or land disturbing permits.
- What is a Minor Site Plan?
A document prepared by an engineer, licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia, which is drawn to scale showing proposed improvements for a parcel of land. A minor site plan is only applicable for a pre-existing building located on a parcel of land which is to be renovated and/or remodeled which meets the following conditions;
i. No previous site plan on file in the County;
ii. No net increase in impermeable surface;
iii. No expansion of the footprint of the building.
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