Land Development Division

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

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 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:

• Exact dimensions including length, width, and height are required for submission.
• Exact location of retaining walls required for submission.
• Retaining walls requested in association with other improvements will require separate zoning approval.
• Retaining walls four foot or higher have setback requirements. See Setback Table - Section 32.300.6.3.
• If a retaining wall and fence are being built as one structure, the height of the retaining wall and fence combined are subject to fencing maximum height requirements. See Fencing requirements – Section 32.300.02.3. A structure will require building permits.
• If retaining walls and fencing are proposed as two separate structures, they must have a minimum one-foot separation.
• After zoning approval is issued, building permits may be required.
• For more information, visit Building Development Division, find the Checklist for Retaining Wall Submissions and Inspection Requirements and guidelines for retaining walls four foot in height or less.
• For information on permits and submission requirements, visit Building Development Division, call (703) 792-4040 or email [email protected].
• Retaining walls on commercial sites must be shown on an approved Prince William County site plan. Call Land Development Services at (703)792-6830 or email [email protected] for information on how to apply for site plan approval.
• 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 retaining wall to-scale on the house location survey plat.
  • Provide dimensions of the full project scope, including length width and height.
  • Measure and show the setbacks to each property line from the retaining wall (if 4’ tall or taller)
  • Highlight the wall location.
  • Include plans for projects if available (not required)
  • If applying in-person provide 2 copies of the 100% to scale house location survey plat.
  • 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.
• A review by Environmental Management 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. 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.
• If other home improvement projects have been completed on the property without prior zoning approval, review of those improvements may be required prior to issuance of new zoning approvals.
• 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. Email [email protected] for more information.
• A-1 zoned lots less than 10 acres must have a completed approved non-conforming use review on file prior to zoning review or issuance.
• Lot coverage allowances are zoning district specific. All structures count towards a property's lot coverage. Lot coverage percentages can be found under the Development Standards for 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.
  Lot Coverage examples:
  • R-4 Development Standards – 40% max lot coverage
  • SR-1 Development Standards – 25% max lot coverage
  • A-1 Cluster Development Standards – 25% max lot coverage
• To find the setbacks for retaining walls, please review the Setback Table - Section 32.300.6.3 of our zoning ordinance.

• 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.
• For record requests, contact Development Services Records Center at (703) 792-6863.
• To get your utilities marked before you dig, call 1-800-552-7001or visit https://va811.com/.