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 – Certificate of Zoning Approval.” Please follow the instructions on the 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 the close of business.

Please note:

• Secondary food preparation areas may only be requested within single-family detached dwellings. They are not permitted in single-family attached dwellings.
• A dwelling unit shall have no more than one kitchen.
• The secondary food preparation area shall not create a separate or private living area. This means that the secondary food preparation area shall not cause the creation of an additional independent living facility for one (1) family as defined in Part 100 of the Zoning Ordinance, including temporary provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.
• Secondary food preparation areas shall be contained within the principal dwelling unit.
• The area of the dwelling containing the secondary food preparation area shall not be used for commercial rental or other commercial purposes.
• Dwellings may only have a wet bar or a warming kitchen; requesting both is not permitted.
• Access to the secondary food preparation areas shall not be restricted in such a way as to prevent use by any residents of the dwelling.
• The secondary food preparation area shall not be served by a separate electric meter or a separate water meter.
• A single-family dwelling unit shall not have more than one assigned address and one designated mailbox.
• The property owner/applicant shall be responsible for obtaining all other required permits and approvals from other County agencies.
• The property owner/applicant shall grant permission to County staff to enter and inspect the property upon request.
• For new single-family detached dwellings under construction, the lot grading plan and building permit for the dwelling must be issued before obtaining wet bar approval.
• After zoning approval is issued, applications for secondary food preparation area permits must be submitted to the Building Development Division for review. For information on secondary food preparation area permits and submission requirements, visit Finishing a Residential Basement, call (703) 792-4040 or email [email protected].
• 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 Secondary Food Preparation Area Application
• Confirm the following. This can be submitted via a typed or written PDF for online submissions:
  • 1: No cooking appliances will be installed. Prohibited items include ovens, stoves, hood vents, and cabinet-mounted microwaves.
  • 2: No doors with locks will separate the area of the Wetbar from the dwelling.
  • 3: The Wet bar can be accessed by all residents in the home.
  • 4: Where will the Wet bar be located within the dwelling?
    • If not located in the basement, please advise the location and provide floor plans showing accessibility.
  • 5: The home is a single-family detached dwelling.
• Review Step 3 below to check if other requirements may apply to your property or project.
• Review the Zoning Fee Schedule for the applicable processing fee and pay by credit card.

• A Special Power of Attorney Affidavit is required if the applicant is not the homeowner or a registered Prince William County contractor.
  • The document must be filled out (no blank spaces).
  • The document must grant permission to the requesting individual (not the company or business).
  • The document must be notarized by the property owner.
    • If the residence is owned by a business, provide documentation that the individual signing the document has the authority to represent the business.
• 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 review due to lot size, setbacks, structure, verifications, recertifications, determinations, or use. They may be emailed at [email protected]

• To research your property, visit the County Mapper to find the zoning district, environmental impacts, and any overlay districts.

Secondary Food Preparation Area Definitions:

Secondary Food Preparation Area: Areas such as wet bars or warming kitchens that are secondary to a main kitchen area located within a single-family detached dwelling for the convenience and use by all residents of a dwelling and shall not create separate or private living areas.

Wet Bar: A small bar or counter area that contains limited cabinet space, may include a sink no larger than 484 square inches, and an under-the-counter or regular refrigerator, a wine-cooler, and a dishwasher.

Warming Kitchen: An area with limited cabinet space, countertops, a warming oven/warming drawer, and may include a refrigerator.

Dwelling unit: A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one family, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation. A dwelling unit shall have no more than one kitchen.