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 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:

• If there is a proposed deck or patio around the swimming pool, this should be included with your application, or it will need separate zoning approval.
• If the hot tub is placed on an existing or new pad, patio, or deck, this should be included with your application, or it will need separate zoning approval.
• If proposing any sitting walls, retaining walls, etc., this should be included with your application, or it will need separate zoning approval.
• If proposing additional detached accessory structures (pavilion, pool house, etc.) associated with the swimming pool or hot tub project, they will need separate zoning approval.
• Safety barriers are required. For more information, see Barrier Requirements or contact Building Development. For inground pools, include whether it will have an automatic safety cover or if a fence will be installed. For fencing, provide the location, material, and height (minimum 4’).
• After zoning approval is issued, applications for swimming pool and hot tub permits must be submitted to the Building Plan Review Division for review. For information on swimming pool or hot tub permits and submission requirements, visit Residential Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs, 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 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 swimming pool or hot tub to scale on the house location survey plat.
  • Provide the exact dimensions of the full project, including length and width for the swimming pool or hot tub, and length, width, and material for any decking or patio.
  • Measure and show the setbacks to each property line from the swimming pool or hot tub.
  • Highlight the swimming pool or hot tub location.
  • If a fence is installed, include the location, height, and material.
  • If applying in-person, provide 2 copies of the 100%-to-scale house location survey plat.
• Provide plans that show the exact dimensions of the swimming pool or hot tub, including length & width, and length, width, & material for any decking or patio, if available.
• 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 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 before zoning issuance. 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 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. They may be emailed at [email protected].
  • Pool houses with full bathrooms require a commitment letter from the zoning administration department before zoning issuance. 
• If the property is on a well and septic, approval from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is required for swimming pools. Health Department approval is required to be obtained before zoning approval issuance. The Health Department recommends a setback of at least 10’ from the well and drain field. Hot tubs closer than 10’ will require health department review. Contact (703) 792-6310, Press Option # 2, to learn more.
• Condominium Units – An approval letter from the condominium association is required for processing.
• To find the setback requirements for structures like hot tubs or swimming pools, please review the Prince William County Zoning Ordinance. Zoning staff will verify setbacks before issuing zoning approval.
  • Detached structures must be located at least five (5) feet from the existing dwelling.
  • If the lot is three (3) acres or less, the hot tub or swimming pool and pool equipment can be located in the rear or side yard only. If located at the rear of the lot, the hot tub or swimming pool and pool equipment must be at least five (5) feet from the rear and side property lines. If located on the side property, the hot tub or swimming pool and pool equipment must maintain the same setbacks as the primary structure in that zoning district. In the case of a corner lot, a minimum of twenty (20) feet setback from the side property line adjacent to the side street is required.
  • If the lot is greater than three (3) acres, the hot tub or swimming pool and pool equipment may be located in any yard area. The hot tub or swimming pool and pool equipment must maintain the same setbacks as the primary structure in that zoning district.

• To research your property, visit the County Mapper to find the zoning district, environmental impacts, and any overlay districts.
• Primary structure setbacks can be found under Setbacks in your zoning districts subsection within the Zoning Ordinance - Agricultural and Residential Districts. 
• Learn more about House Location Survey Plats.
• For record requests, contact the Records Center at (703) 792-6863.
• Get utilities marked before you dig. Call 1-800-552-7001or visit https://va811.com/.

Swimming Pool Definition:

• Swimming pool shall mean a manmade structure constructed from material other than natural earth or soil designed or used to hold water for the purpose of providing a swimming or bathing place; or any such structure for the purposes of impounding water therein to a depth of more than four feet.