A: Contact the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office at 633-9834 or scarter@co.caroline.va.us. Visit the Commissioner's Office in person at 121 North Main Street, Bowling Green, Monday through Friday 9-5. For more information about business licenses, visit the Commissioner's page on the County website.

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A: All dog owners must purchase an annual license for all dogs four months of age or older. Licenses may be purchased at the Treasurer's Office located at 119 Ennis Street in Bowling Green. A certificate of vaccination must accompany license applications. The cost is $5 per individual dog.

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A: Vehicle License fees are due annually by March 31 and may be purchased in person beginning February 15 at the Treasurer's office, located at 119 Ennis Street, Bowling Green. Any individual, firm or corporation, leasing or having in their control a motor vehicle housed in Caroline County and registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles must purchase a county decal. For more information, see the Treasurer's webpage.

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A: The Board holds its regular meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. and the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Community Services Center auditorium (17722 Richmond Turnpike) unless otherwise indicated. During the summer months, the Board holds its regular meetings at locations in the various election districts.

Worksessions are also scheduled throughout the year as required. Contact the County Administrator's Office at 633-5380 for more information.

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A: County citizens can register to vote at the Registrar's Office located at 109 County Street in Bowling Green. Phone number: 633-9083. Voters must register at least 29 days prior to the election in which they wish to participate.

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A: The main county park on Devils Three Jump Road and other recreational facilities (such as miniparks) may be rented by contacting the Recreation Department at 633-7277. The Community Services Center auditorium, conference rooms and gymnasium may be reserved by contacting the Department of Public Works at 633-4386. Fees may apply.

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A: The Department of Planning and Community Development is responsible for assigning 911 addresses. The office is located at 233 West Broaddus Avenue in Bowling Green (next to McDonald's). Phone number is 633-4303.

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A. Contact the Department of Public Works at 633-4386.

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A. Contact the Department of Parks and Recreation at 633-7277 or the Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging at (540) 371-3375.

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A: Septic permits may be obtained from the local office of the Virginia Department of Health located at 17722 Richmond Turnpike adjacent to Social Services. Phone number: 633-5465.

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A: Contact Animal Control at 633-9041. If after normal business hours and deemed to be a non-emergency, your call will be returned the following day. See the Animal Control page for more information.

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A: Roads in Caroline County are maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation. Contact VDOT at 633-5091 for more information.

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A: Contact the Finance Department at 633-5380.

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A: Contact the Registrar's Office at 633-9083

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A: Contact your service provider at the phone number listed on the bill. Caroline County serves as the franchise agent for all cable television service providers in Caroline. If you are unable to resolve a concern to your satisfaction, contact the County Administrator's Office at 633-5380.

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A: Contact the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office at 633-9834 or scarter@co.caroline.va.us or visit the Commissioner's Office in person at 121 North Main Street, Bowling Green, Monday through Friday 9-5. For more information, visit the Commissioner's page on the County website.

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A: Contact the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office.

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A: The County operates eight (8) solid waste convenience sites located throughout the County. The majority of household solid waste can be disposed of at these facilities. For a site location near you and operating hours, visit the Department of Public Works web page.

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A. For contact information about members of the Board of Supervisors, please refer to the Sitemap on the website.

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A. The real property tax rate is currently $0.48 per $100 of assessed value. The personal property rate is $6.25 per $100 assessed at 40% of NADA value. There is no local income tax. Other tax rates may be obtained by contacting the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office at 633-9834.

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A: Job openings are posted on the County website and advertised in The Caroline Progress. Many openings are also advertised in The Free Lance-Star. All applicants must complete a Caroline County employment application available on line, or by contacting the County Administrator's Office at 633-5380.

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A: Most County offices are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Some offices, including constitutional officers, operate on a slightly different schedule. For specific office hours, refer to individual web pages or call the office in question.

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A: Property records can be researched at the Clerk of the Circuit Court located in the main County courthouse on the corner of Main Street and Courthouse Lane in Bowling Green. Contact the Clerk by telephone at 633-5800.

Planning, Zoning Related Questions

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A: Land use in Caroline County is governed by three primary documents---1) the Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Map; 2) the zoning ordinance; and 3) the subdivision ordinance.

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A: State law requires every board of supervisors in the Commonwealth to adopt a comprehensive plan and to update the plan at least every five years. The plan is a set of documents that describes the County’s vision of future development. It typically includes maps, plats, charts and other descriptive data. The Comprehensive Plan assists localities in deciding if, when and where to stimulate growth and to prepare for its consequences.

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The current plan contains several sub-area plans that offer a vision for what future development in certain communities of the County should look like. Current sub-area plans include Ladysmith, Carmel Church, Port Royal, Cedon, Dawn, Chilesburg, Skinker's Neck and Bowling Green/Milford. Many sub-area plans were developed by a committee made up of local residents. Each component was reviewed and approved by the Board of Supervisors following public meetings and public hearings.

The Comprehensive Plan is posted on the County website (click " c" under the index). Copies may also be obtained by contacting the Planning Department at 633-4303.

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A. Zoning allows the County to regulate land use according to the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan and prevent incompatible land uses within designated areas. The Zoning Ordinance contains text and maps dividing the County into districts, showing the regulations that apply in each district and providing for enforcement, variances, conditional zoning, special exceptions, appeals and penalties.

It enables the County to regulate, restrict, permit and prohibit the following in each district:

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.

For additional information on the Zoning Ordinance, contact the Planning Department at 633-4303.

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A. The governing body of each Virginia locality must also adopt an ordinance to assure the orderly subdivision and development of land. Subdivision is the process of creating one or more new lots from an existing parcel. The subdivision ordinance includes regulations and development standards for matters such as:

• minimum lot size;


• the coordination of streets as to location, interconnections, widths, grades and drainage;
• drainage and flood control;
• street surfacing and the installation of water, storm and sanitary sewers, public utilities and other community facilities;
• the dedication of land for streets, public utility easements and other public improvements;
• other matters related to land subdivision, the filing of plats and the payment of future development costs

The purpose of all zoning and land use regulations is to promote and improve the public health, safety, convenience and welfare.

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A: A rezoning is required when a property owner proposes to use land for purposes that are not permitted by the current zoning classification. Rezonings always require a public hearing before the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors.

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. Once the Board of Supervisors has accepted proffers, however, any changes require a proffer amendment request and public hearings before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.

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A: The Special Exception/Use Permit (SEUP) procedure provides for certain uses which are permitted in a district, but may require 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.

Special Exceptions/Use Permits always require a public hearing before the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors.

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A: 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. There are some exceptions, such as a family subdivision. The Planning Commission approves the preliminary and final subdivision plats.

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A: A site plan is a document prepared by an engineer or surveyor, 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.

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BUILDING/ZONING PERMITS & SURVEYS

A: 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 (for example, 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.

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A: 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, Ladysmith Village, Pendleton and Caroline Pines, a certified house location plat is required.

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A: This is a survey that has been performed by a surveyor, engineer or architect who is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

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A: NO

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A: 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 (principal 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.

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A: A setback is the required yard(s) or open space that surrounds a building.

A: In the Rural Preservation (RP) and Agricultural Preservation (AP) Zoning District, the setbacks are as follows:

Principal 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

Principal Structure (house);

• On lots that are less than 10 and greater than 5 acres in size,
• Front = 125 feet from the road right-of way
• One Side = 40 feet
• Two Sides = 80 feet
• Rear = 40 feet

Principal 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

Principal Structure (house);

• 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 principal structure setbacks.

Accessory Building/Structure;

• 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

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ACCESSORY BUILDINGS/STRUCTURES

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).

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A: No, the principal structure/use (house) must be established prior to the construction of an accessory building/structure.

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A: Yes, it cannot exceed the height of the principal structure (house).

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A: The lesser of 30% of the minimum lot size for the zoning district or an area equal to the size of the principal 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 principal structure is only 2,000 square feet. Therefore, the maximum size of all accessory buildings/structures is 2,000 square feet.

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A: No, only in the rear or side yard.

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A: Setback requirements are as follows:

• 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 principal 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.

A: The accessory structure must meet the front yard setback from the road frontage at the rear of the lot.

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A: No, a building permit is not required unless you will be hooking up electrical or plumbing service to the structure.

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FENCES & WALLS:

A: 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.

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A: No, setback requirement for a fence/wall. The fence/wall can be placed on the property line.

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SIGN PERMITS:

A: Yes, all signs erected in Caroline County require a building/zoning permit.

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A: Requirements depend on the zoning district as follows:

Rural Preservation (RP) & Agricultural Preservation (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 is 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.

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