Land Development Division

To apply for zoning approval, you may apply in-person or online via ePortal.

To apply online, please visit ePortal. When you are logged into your ePortal account, go to "Apply", select "Plans", and select “Zoning Approval – Certificate of Zoning Approval.” Please follow the instructions on screen.

To apply in-person please bring all necessary documents and check in at the Early Assistance Desk, Development Services Building, 5 County Complex Court, Prince William, VA 22192, to obtain a service ticket for Zoning Counter services. The Zoning Counter is open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Tickets for zoning counter services stop at 2:00 pm to ensure all customers are served by close of business.

Please note:

• This overview is for general information purposes only and may not reflect all aspects of the review process. Site-specific requirements will be discussed at the time of formal review.

• Provide a completed Zoning Approval Application form.
• Provide the email from the Zoning Administrator showing approval of change of use.
• Review Step 3 below to check if other requirements may apply to your property or business.
• Review the Zoning Fee Schedule for the applicable processing fee and pay by credit card.

• Separate zoning approval is required for improvements, including detached accessory structures associated with agricultural use.
• Detached accessory structures may not be larger than the principal dwelling unless the property is approved for bona fide agricultural farm use.
• If other home improvement projects have been completed on the property without prior zoning approval, review of those improvements may be required before issuance of new zoning approvals.
• Additional Zoning Administration or non-conforming use review may be required at the time of review due to lot size, setbacks, structure, verifications, recertifications, determinations, or use. They may be emailed at [email protected]. 
• After the principal use of the property has been established as bona fide agricultural, site plan approval may be required for Agritourism uses.
• If the property is on a well and septic, approval from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is required for any proposed structures with plumbing.
• Building permits may be required for any proposed structures.
• To research your property, visit the County Mapper to find the zoning district, environmental impacts, and any overlay districts.
• Learn more about House Location Survey Plats.

Bonafide Agricultural Use Definitions:

• Agriculture shall mean the tilling of soil, fish hatcheries and production facilities, raising for production and sale of crops, plants, shrubs and trees, such as fruit and nut trees, ornamental landscape trees, Christmas trees and nursery stock, wholesale horticulture operations, wholesale greenhouse operations, sod farms, keeping, raising, grazing and selling of livestock, including but not limited to, horses, beef or dairy cattle, pigs, goats, or poultry, including secondary agricultural industry or non-retail business uses necessary for the production or sale of the crops, plants, trees or livestock raised on the premises. Tree farms for the purpose of selling standing timber, forestry or silvicultural operations are excluded from this definition. Timbering, as defined in this chapter, is excluded from this definition.
• Agricultural products shall mean any livestock, aquaculture, poultry, horticultural, floricultural, viticulture, silvicultural, or other farm crops.
• Agricultural-related products shall mean items sold at a farm market to attract customers and promote the sale of agricultural products. Such items include, but are not limited to, all agricultural and horticultural products, animal feed, baked goods, ice cream and ice cream-based desserts and beverages, jams, honey, gift items, foodstuffs, clothing, and other items promoting the farm and agriculture in Virginia, and value-added agricultural products and production on-site.
• Agricultural tourism shall mean the practice of visiting an agritourism, horticultural, or agricultural activity, including, but not limited to, a farm, orchard, winery, greenhouse, or companion animal or livestock show, for recreation, education, or active involvement in the operation, other than as an owner, contractor, or employee of the activity.
• Agriculturally related uses shall mean those activities that predominantly use agricultural products, buildings, or equipment, such as pony rides, corn mazes, pumpkin rolling, barn dances, sleigh/hayrides, and educational events, such as farming and food preserving classes. This is not an exhaustive list of possible uses.
• Agritourism activity shall mean any agricultural activity that allows members of the general public, for recreational, entertainment, or educational purposes, to view or enjoy rural activities, including farming, wineries, breweries, distilleries, ranching, historical, cultural, harvest-your-own activities, natural activities and attractions, or other purposes of agricultural tourism, whether or not the agritourism participant paid to participate in the activity.
• Agritourism participant shall mean any person, other than an agritourism professional, who engages in an agritourism activity.
• Agritourism professional shall mean any person who is engaged in the business of providing one or more agritourism activities, whether or not for compensation.
• Farm or ranch shall mean one or more areas of land used for the production, cultivation, growing, harvesting, or processing of agricultural products.

Other useful resources can be found at:

• Virginia Business Information Center
• U.S. Small Business Administration
• Virginia Department of Agriculture
• Virginia Department of Health