Land Development Division

To apply online, please visit ePortal. When you are logged into your ePortal account, go to “Apply”, select “Plans”, and select “Zoning Approval - Building Permit 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 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:

• A Special Power of Attorney Affidavit is required if the applicant is not the homeowner or a registered Prince William County contractor.
• Accessory building shall mean a subordinate building located on the same lot as the principal building, and the use of which is customarily associated with and incidental to the use of the principal building. An accessory building shall not dominate a principal building in area, extent or purpose. An accessory building that is attached to and is an integrated part of (by location, materials and architectural design) a principal building shall be governed by the regulations of this chapter for principal buildings.
• Detached accessory structures cannot be used as a dwelling, nor for housekeeping purposes, and may not be used as part of a home business or home occupation.
• Detached accessory structures must be located at least five feet from the house and cannot be connected to the house by means of a breezeway, walkway or other structure not at grade.
• One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds that are over 256 square feet in size require a building permit in addition to zoning approval.
• If property improvements have been completed on site without prior approval, review of those improvements may be required prior to issuance of new zoning approvals.
• 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 the full-size, to-scale, house location survey plat that clearly shows the surveyor’s seal, signature, and scale used.
• On the scaled plat, the requested project must be drawn on to-scale, highlighted, and have the distances from the proposed project to the property lines measured.
• Exact dimensions including length, width & height for the accessory structure are needed.
• If you have plans available, please include them with your submission.
• Provide the proposed use of the structure.
• Review Step 3 below to check if other requirements may apply to your property or project
• Provide a completed Zoning Application Form.
• Review the Zoning Fee Schedule for the applicable processing fee and pay by credit card.
• Provide 2 copies of the drafted plat for review, if applying in-person.

Detached accessory structures are subject to Section 32-300.03 of the Zoning Ordinance, which includes the following provisions:

For lots of three acres or less:

• The cumulative building area allowed for all detached accessory structures is 576 total square feet, or 30 percent of the total square footage of the house (see the Real Estate Assessment website for floor area of the house for individual lots).
• Detached accessory structures can only be located in the side or rear yards.
• If located in the side yard, the structure must maintain the same setbacks as for the principle structure in that zoning district.
• If located in the rear yard, the structure must be at least five feet from the side property line, and five feet from the rear property line. If the property is a corner lot, the structure must be a minimum of 20 feet from the side property line adjacent to the side street.
• Maximum height is 18 feet (except as noted below for Townhouse lots and R-16/R-30 districts).
• For two-level detached structures, the square footage for both levels will be included when determining the maximum allowable building size.

For lots larger than three acres

• Detached accessory structures must maintain the same setbacks as for the principle structure in that zoning district.
• Detached accessory structures may not dominate a principle building in area, extent or purpose.
• Detached structures can be located in any yard (front, side, or rear).
• Maximum height is 35 feet.

For townhouse lots:

• For townhouse units in the R-6, RPC, PMD and PMR zoning districts, the following standards shall apply:
• Detached accessory structures are allowed in the rear yard only and can be located up to the rear property line.
• Detached structures may cover no more than 50 percent of the total rear yard area.
• For end-unit townhouses, a 10’ exterior side yard setback is required.
• Maximum height is 12 feet.

For condominium units:

• An approval letter from the condominium association is required for processing.

For mobile homes:

• A Commitment Letter notarized by the property manager and the diagram of the patio design is required for processing.

For lots zoned R-16 and R-30:

• Detached accessory structures must be set back at least 10 feet from all property lines.
• Maximum height 15 feet.
• Additional review by the Environmental Management department may be required for the following:
  • If the property is identified as having an RPA (resource protection area), 100 Year or FEMA floodway area, storm drain/storm sewer easement, conservation or buffer area, the project exceeds 2,500 sq. ft, or any other public works impacts, Environmental Management review will be needed prior to zoning issuance. Environmental Management Form
• If a project is within any easements, including utility easements, written approval from the easement holder may be required.

• To research a property, visit the County Mapper to find the zoning district, environmental impacts, and any overlay districts.
• Learn more about House Location Survey Plats.
• The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) recommends a setback of at least 10’ from the well and drain field. VDH approval is needed prior to zoning issuance if closer than 10’ to those utilities.
• If the property is on private sewer and water and the structure will contain plumbing, a written letter of approval by the Virginia Department of Health will be required.
• Accessory structures on commercial sites must be shown on an approved Prince William County site plan. This approval can be obtained through Land Development for further requirements, email [email protected] or call (703) 792-6830 and request to speak with a Project Manager.
• To find out if a building permit is required for all other detached accessory structures, visit our website or call (703) 792-4040.
• Additional review by the Environmental Management department may be required. If the property is identified as having a RPA (resource protection area), 100 Year or FEMA floodway area, storm drain/storm sewer easement, conservation or buffer area, the project exceeds 2,500 sq. ft, or any other public works impacts, Environmental Management review will be needed prior to zoning issuance. Environmental Management Form
• Detached accessory structures that do not meet the minimum setback and have been located in the same location for at least 15 years may qualify for a Nonconforming Structure verification. Written approval from Zoning Administration is required.
• After zoning approval is issued, applications may need to be submitted to the Building Plan Review Division. For questions regarding building permits and submission requirements, contact Building Plan Review at (703) 792-4040 or [email protected].