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 - 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:

• Patios less than 8” above grade are not subject to setback requirements.
• Patios more than 8” above grade are low-level open decks and no longer patios. Low-level open decks are required to meet open deck setbacks (SEC32-300.06.3).
• Patios are subject to lot coverage limitations, if applicable. See more information under Step 3.
• Patios must be drawn to scale and highlighted on a full-size, to-scale house survey plat.
• All Patio features require zoning approval.
  • Sitting or retaining walls need to be drawn to-scale on the plat. Provide exact dimensions, including length, width, and height. Any sitting or retaining wall over 3’ 11” is subject to setbacks and issuance of building permits, if required by the County Building Official.
  • Firepits need to be drawn to scale on the plat. Provide the diameter of the proposed firepit. Advise if it will be gas, electric, or wood burning. Permanent firepits are recommended to be 15' from the dwelling. Firepits are subject to setbacks and issuance of building permits, if required by the County Building Official.
  • Detached accessory structures need to be drawn to scale on the plat. Provide exact dimensions, including length, width, and height.
  • Detached accessory structures must maintain 5 feet from the dwelling and are subject to setbacks, detached structure limits, and issuance of building permits.

• 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 Application Form.
• Provide the full-size, 100% to-scale, house location survey plat that clearly shows the surveyor’s seal, signature, and scale used.
• Draw the patio to scale on the house location survey plat.
  • Provide the exact dimensions of the project, including length and width.
  • Advise on the materials used for the patio. (i.e., concrete, pavers)
  • Highlight the project.
  • Any sitting/retaining walls or accessory features, such as a firepit, must also be drawn to scale and highlighted on the house location survey plat with exact dimensions provided.
  • If the project has any features over 8” tall, measure and show the setbacks to the property lines.
  • If applying in person, provide 2 copies of the 100% to-scale drafted house location survey plat.
• If you have plans available, please include them with your submission.
• Review the Zoning Fee Schedule for the applicable processing fee and pay by credit card.
• Review Step 3 below to check if other requirements may apply to your property or project.

• A Special Power of Attorney Affidavit is required if the applicant is not the homeowner or a registered Prince William County contractor.
• Review by Environmental Management may be required. If the property is identified as having a Resource Protection Area (RPA), 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 before zoning issuance. Please find the Environmental Management Combined Application Form / Flood Hazard Use Permit Application.  
• If a project is within any easements, including utility easements, written approval from the easement holder may be required.
• Condominium Units – An approval letter from the condominium association is required for processing.
• 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.
• Zoning Administration or non-conforming use review may be required at the time of submission due to lot size, setbacks, structure, verifications, recertifications, determinations, or use. For more information, email [email protected].
• If the property is on a well and septic, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH)  recommends a setback of at least 10’ from the well and drain field. Patios closer than 10’ may require health department review. 
• Lot coverage allowances are zoning district-specific. Patios are structures that count towards a property's lot coverage. Lot coverage percentages can be found under the Development Standards in your zoning districts subsection within the Zoning Ordinance. This information may also be found on the original subdivision plans or lot grading plan for your property. 
• To find the setbacks for low-level open decks (over 8” tall), firepits, and sitting or retaining walls (over 3’11”  tall), please review the table within SEC32-300.06.3 of the Prince William County Zoning Ordinance. Modified Planned Mixed Residential (PMR) standards may have been approved for individual subdivisions. Zoning staff will verify setbacks before issuing zoning approval.

• To research your property, visit the County Mapper to find the zoning district, environmental impacts, and any overlay districts.
• For record requests, including subdivision plans, please contact the Records Center. 
• Learn more about House Location Survey Plats.
• After zoning approval is issued, applications for building permits may need to be submitted to the Building Development Division, Plan Review at (703) 792-4040 (TTY: 711).
• To get your utilities marked before you dig, call 1-800-552-7001or visit https://va811.com/.