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Related Resources
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- Meeting Approval Conditions
- Site-Related Plans
Site Plan (SP)
Pursuant to Zoning Ordinance subsection 8100.7, an approved site plan is required before construction or establishment of the following uses, including modifications or alterations to existing uses: all permitted uses in the R,C,I and P zoning districts and special exception and special permit uses that are subject to a site plan. The Director of Land Development Services (Director) may approve a building permit for part of a commercial project, such as footing and foundation permits, before site plan approval, in accordance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code. Uses exempt from a site plan are found under 8100.7(d).
Alternatively, certain uses may submit a Minor Site Plan in lieu of a site plan, when the Director determines that the use will not require the improvements outlined in subsection 8100.7.E, that the improvements already exist, that the improvements may be made without a formal site plan, or that the improvements are not required in accordance with the Commercial Revitalization District provisions. For additional information on qualifying uses, see the Minor Site Plan record.
Depending on the scope of your project, you may need to apply for a separate building permit record in PLUS. To determine whether your project requires a permit, visit When a Permit is Required. Once you determine the appropriate record type, review the associated Permit Library guide to find details regarding the submission and review process.
ON THIS PAGE
- Who Should Apply?
- Plan Ahead
- How Do I Submit My Record?
- Requirements
- What's Next?
- Additional Resources
This information is the most common for how to obtain the necessary approval for your project and is not representative of all the conditions you may encounter.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Homeowners or their duly authorized agents may submit site plans, however, the plan itself must be certified by a professional engineer, land surveyor, architect or landscape architect licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia and meeting the respective code requirements.
- Verify License on DPOR Website
- Hiring a Contractor
PLAN AHEAD
Before submitting, ensure you are aware of all applicable regulations and conditions that could affect your project to avoid surprises during the review process. Some of those factors include:
- Zoning Information
- Design Codes and Standards
- Do I Need to Hire a Design Professional?
- Floodplains
- Resource Protection Areas (RPA)
- Grading/Site Plans
- Parking Tabulation
- Types of Soils and Problem Soils
- Researching Site Conditions
To get a detailed description about each regulation and condition, visit our Plan Ahead page.
HOW DO I SUBMIT MY RECORD?
PLUS Application
Apply for your site plan online in PLUS under the Site tab. If you are a first-time user, you must first register for an account.
Submission Guidelines
Visit our Site-Related Submission Guidelines page for information on how to submit your plan, including strongly encouraged naming conventions.
Tutorial on Uploading Plans and Documents in PLUS
Helpful Instruction Guide:
