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Planning & Land Use Terms
The following is a list of planning and land use terms in alphabetical order.
Use the linked letters below to go to a specific section of the alphabet.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
A-1, Agricultural: This zoning district allows one detached single-family dwelling per 10 acres. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-301.01)
AAOD, Agritourism and Arts Overlay District: This zoning overlay district is to facilitate investment involving improvements to land and structures within the AAOD while encouraging agricultural and small business, artistic (including music and performing arts) uses. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-510)
AC, Activity Center: A long-range land use special planning area that is smaller area than a district having, either now or in the future, a moderate level of multimodal connectivity with good multimodal characteristics. These areas are the locations that serve areas within the County such as nodes within a Small Area Plan area or near major employment centers.
AF, Agriculture and Forestry: This long-range land use classification is designed to protect and enhance agricultural and forestry land as an economic and environmental resource. The AF district encourages agricultural uses and forest preservation accommodated by a primary residential use. The district is designed to encourage conservation and proper use of large tracts of real property to assure available sources of agricultural products, to assure open spaces within reach of concentrations of population, to conserve natural resources, prevent erosion, and protect the environment, and to assure adequate water supplies.
ARTS, Arts and Entertainment District: This long-range land use special district provides opportunities for a pedestrian friendly access to arts, cultural, and entertainment venues supported by retail, dining, creating and exploring opportunities.
ASOD, Airport Safety Overlay District: The overlay district is established in recognition of airport related hazards which may endanger lives and property; obstructions which effectively reduce air space required for aircraft take-off, landing, and maneuvering which reduce the utility of the Washington Manassas Airport and the public investment therein. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-505)
B
B-1, General Business: This zoning district allows retail stores, shopping centers, office, and institutional uses. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-401.10)
B-2, Neighborhood Business: This zoning district allows neighborhood scale retail, office, and institutional uses with the aggregate non-residential uses not to exceed 120,000 gross square feet and no single use greater than 12,000 gross square feet. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-401.20)
B-3, Convenience Retail: This zoning district provides for areas within the County where convenience goods and services may be located. The non-residential uses shall not exceed 15,000 gross square feet, with no single user larger than 8,000 gross square feet. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-401.30)
BOCS: Board of County Supervisors: the elected governing body for Prince William County. (web page)
C
CGA: Critical Groundwater Area
CIP: Capital Improvement Program (web page)
CPA: Comprehensive Plan Amendment (web page)
COM, Commercial (T-2 & T-3): This long-range land use classification is to provide for commercial areas to serve surrounding residential neighborhoods and the larger community. Access to commercial uses in the T-3 should be along major roadways and T-2 shall be limited to abutting arterial or collector roadways, except where interparcel connections are provided between abutting commercial sites.
CRes, Conservation Residential (T-1B & T-1C): This long-range land use classification designates areas for residential developments characterized by compact development patterns. These areas offer a range of housing types that are smaller than conventional rural and suburban homes and are located on smaller lots. Residential Cluster development concentrates development on a limited footprint within a site at higher densities, with the intent to permanently conserve surrounding natural resources, cultural resources, and open space.
CRHS, County Registered Historic Site: This long-range land use classification is designed to protect important cultural resources. Cultural resources include architectural, archaeological, and historical resources.
D
DCOZOD, Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-509)
DCSM: Design and Construction Standards Manual (web page)
DEQ: Department of Environmental Quality
DFOD, Domestic Fowl Overlay District: A zoning overlay district that permits the keeping of chickens, pigeons, doves and other domestic fowl on lots with a rural and semi-rural character that also contain a dwelling unit as a principal use. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 508)
DHR: Virginia Department of Historic Resources (website)
E
ECA, Environmental Constraints Analysis: A report required with a rezoning or special use permit application mapping natural site conditions to aid in the identification and protection of significant environmental resources.
E-Commerce Overlay District: The overlay district created for the purpose of promoting development of last mile distribution and fulfillment centers within areas of the County where there is existing infrastructure that adequately supports the use. This overlay district continues the County's efforts to attract and advance specialized logistics and supply chain companies while limiting negative impacts on surrounding communities. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-511)
ERPO, Environmental Resource Protection Overlay: This long-range land use overlay is an overlay area located in sensitive environmental places in which special building regulations and restrictions operate in order to help to maintain natural integrity.
F
FAR: Floor Area Ratio
FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency (website)
Flood Hazard Overlay District (or Flood Hazard Area): Any normally dry area that is susceptible to being inundated by water. The flood hazard areas include, but are not limited to, the land subject to the 100-year flood. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-501.01)
G
GDP, Generalized Development Plan: A written statement and graphic depiction of the uses intended for a subject property in a rezoning application.
H
Hamlet: A compact long-range land use special planning area with a small-scale mix of uses (including residential, commercial, civic/institutional, and potentially other land uses) that serves as a small-scale center in the rural landscape that encompasses an area that is approximately a 1/8-mile radius around a central crossroads.
HCOD, Highway Corridor Overlay District: Zoning overlay intended to reduce traffic congestion and visual clutter. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-503)
HOD, Historic Overlay District: A zoning district that is created for the purpose of imposing special requirements in addition to the requirements pertaining to the underlying zoning in designated areas of the County, in order to protect and perpetuate those areas or structures which have been determined to be of significant historic, architectural, or cultural interest. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-502)
I
I, Industrial (T-2, T-3, & T-4): This land use classification is to provide areas for a range of industrial and employment uses which promote a diverse tax base, encourage economic vitality, and support “at place” employment. Primary uses in I-2 and I-3 are light manufacturing, “start-up” businesses, small assembly businesses, and office uses Primary uses in I-4 include manufacturing, industrial parks, distribution facilities, warehouses, quarry/mineral extraction, data centers, and fleet and equipment sales.
L
LOS, Level of Service Standards: Six of the Comprehensive Plan chapters address facilities and services provided by the County to its residents and businesses: Fire and Rescue, Libraries, Parks and Open Space, Police, Schools, and Mobility. The departments responsible for these services have established levels of service (LOS) standards, which are standards by which each agency measures the quality of the service it provides.
M
M-1, Heavy Industrial: This zoning district is intended to provide areas for and to encourage development of heavy and intensive industrial processing, manufacturing and storage. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-403.10)
M-2, Light Industrial: This zoning district is intended to provide areas for research and development centers, light industrial manufacturing, warehousing, wholesaling and related office and institutional uses. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-403.20)
M/T, Industrial/Transportation: This zoning district is intended to provide for areas and encourage development of heavy industrial uses, particularly those that generate considerable truck and/or heavy equipment traffic, or which require access to more than one mode of transportation. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-403.30)
Magisterial Districts: Prince William County is divided into seven local election districts:
- Brentsville
- Coles
- Gainesville
- Neabsco
- Occoquan
- Potomac
- Woodbridge
MCBQ: Marine Corps Base Quantico (website)
MU, Mixed Use (T-1 thru T-6): This land use classification includes both residential and commercial uses planned and developed in a comprehensive, coordinated manner and arranged in pedestrian-friendly blocks. (MU-1 Hamlet, MU-2 Village, MU-3 Neighborhood, MU-4 Community, MU-5/6 Town Center)
MWCOG/COG: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (website)
MXD, Mixed Use District: This zoning district is a flexible land development zoning category intended to promote transit oriented development by encouraging a mix of residential and commercial uses in a single zoning designation. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-307)
MZP: Master Zoning Plan - A graphic depiction of a development proposal, required with a rezoning for a planned district rezoning. A MZP demonstrates how the development proposal will be cohesive, ensures the efficient use of property, efficient traffic circulation, and preservation of open space and sensitive environmental and historical features.
O
O(F), Office/Flex: This zoning district is designed to provide areas for research and development centers, office, institutional, and minimal impact industrial uses. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-402.40)
O(H), Office High-Rise: This zoning district is designed to provide areas for high-rise offices and institutional uses. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-402.20)
O(L), Low-Rise Office: This zoning district is designed to provide areas for offices with a minimum 10,000 square foot lots. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-402.10)
O(M), Mid-Rise Office: This zoning district is designed to provide areas for mid-rise offices and institutional uses. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-402.30)
OMU, Office Mixed Use (T-2, T-3, T-4): This long-range land use classification is intended to provide for areas of low- to high-rise offices or research and development activities. Projects shall be developed for office use, with retail and retail service uses discouraged as stand-alone structures. (OMU-2/3, OMU-3/4)
ORPA, Occoquan Reservoir Protection Area: This long-range land use classification is intended to protect the Occoquan Reservoir by limiting development to one (1) dwelling unit per five (5) acres in areas with sensitive environmental features.
OW, Open Water: This long-range land use classification includes areas of open water that are not developable.
P
PBD, Planned Business District: This zoning designation allows a planned nonresidential development with a mix of commercial, research and development, office complexes, and certain types of manufacturing and related land uses within a minimum district size of 15 contiguous acres. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-404)
PC, Planning Commission: an eight citizen land use case and issues advisory panel appointed by the Board of County Supervisors. (web page)
PL, Public Land: This long-range land use classification identifies public land within the County in order to provide an indication of existing and planned public facilities, institutions, or other government installations.
PMD, Planned Mixed District: This zoning district allows a mix of nonresidential and residential within a minimum district size of 25 contiguous acres. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-405)
PMR, Planned Mixed Residential: This zoning district is designed to permit and encourage the establishment of communities of varied housing types in planned developments. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-306)
POS, Parks and Open Space: This long-range land use classification designates existing and projected parks, open space, and recreational areas of the County. The classification designates all existing federal, state, and local parks, as well as planned parks within the County.
R
R-2, Suburban Residential: This zoning district allows two detached single-family dwellings per acre. (Zoning Ordinance Sec.32-303 Division 1) [See Sec. 32-300.60 for R-2C cluster development standards]
R-4, Suburban Residential: This zoning district allows four detached single-family dwellings per acre. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-303 Division 2) [See Sec. 32-300.60 for R-4C cluster development standards]
R-6, Suburban Residential: This zoning district allows a maximum of six single-family attached or detached dwellings per acre. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-303 Division 3)
R-16, Suburban Residential (Multi-family): This zoning district allows a maximum of 16 dwellings per acre with a minimum of six units per acre. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-304 Division 1)
R-30, Urban Residential (Multi-family Mixture): This zoning district allows a maximum of 30 dwellings per acre. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-304 Division 2)
RC, Redevelopment Corridor: Long-range land use special planning area consisting of older commercial neighborhoods which aren’t experiencing their full economic potential and are identified as a priority for planning and investment strategies that serve as a catalyst to promote and perpetuate economic viability. The two redevelopment corridors are U.S. Route 1 and Sudley Road Corridor.
ROD, Redevelopment Overlay District: Zoning overlay intended to promote and perpetuate the continued economic viability of older commercial neighborhoods which are experiencing economic decline. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-507)
RMA, Resource Management Area: Land area that protects and buffers the sensitive features of the RPA (Resource Protection Area). The RMA is located landward and contiguous to the RPA. Land areas designated RMA include those areas, such as floodplains, highly erodible soils, steep slopes, highly permeable soils, and non-tidal wetlands.
RN, Residential Neighborhood (T-1 thru T-5): This long-range land use designation is intended to accommodate residential uses throughout the County. The density associated with this land use is based on the transect classification which provides the number of allowable dwelling units per acre. (RN-1/2 Transition Neighborhoods, RN-2/3 Suburban Communities, RN-4/5 Urban Communities)
ROW, Right-of-Way: Public roadway right-of-way along designated Comprehensive Plan roadways.
RPA, Resource Protection Area (Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Overlay District): Land area at or near the shoreline that contains sensitive features that play an important role in protecting water quality from nonpoint source pollution through the ecological and biological processes they perform. These areas are also sensitive to any impacts and can be easily damaged, resulting in degraded water quality. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-504)
RPC, Residential Planned Community: This designation is both a zoning district and a long-range land use designation intended for planned developments not less than 500 contiguous acres under one ownership or control in those areas of the County where provisions for sanitary sewers, sewage disposal facilities, adequate highway access, and public water supply are assured. Within such planned communities, the location of all residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental uses, school sites, parks, playgrounds, recreational areas, commuter parking areas, and other open spaces shall be controlled in such a manner as to permit a variety of housing accommodations and land uses in an orderly relationship to one another. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-305) (Comprehensive Plan RPC)
RU, Urban Residential: Zoning district intended to implement the urban residential and mass transit nodes land use classifications of the Comprehensive Plan, to allow multifamily residential development at not less than 31 units per acre. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-304 Division 3)
S
SAP, Small Area Plan: A long-range land use special planning area that defines a discrete geographical area and presents a unique vision and character – a sense of place. These are implemented by detailed land use plans, mobility plans, proposed economic development, and parks, recreation, and tourism action strategies that fulfill the vision and character.
SR-1, Semi-Rural Residential: This zoning district allows one detached single-family dwelling per one acre. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-302.01) [See Sec. 32-300.50 for SR-1C cluster development standards]
SR-3, Semi-Rural Residential: This zoning district allows one detached single-family dwelling per three acres. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-302.10) [See Sec. 32-300.50 for SR-3C cluster development standards]
SR-5, Semi-Rural Residential: This zoning district allows one detached single-family dwelling per five acres. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-302.20) [See Sec. 32-300.50 for SR-5C cluster development standards]
T
TCM: Transportation Congestion Management
TD, Transit District: This long-range land use district provides opportunities for residential uses within an underlying zoning district that does not offer residential as primary or secondary uses.
TDM: Transportation Demand Management
TeOD, Technology Overlay District: This zoning district is intended to promote harmonious development which is conducive to establishing and maintaining collaborative public-private research partnerships. To achieve this intent, the district is located adjacent to a major public institution, such as an institute of higher education. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-506)
TIA, Traffic Impact Analysis: A study conducted to assess the impact of traffic generated by a new land use or change in use on the existing or future road network, and to obtain the required information in evaluating any potential road network improvements.
U
UV, University Village: This long-range land use district is to provide a mix of uses arranged in a pedestrian-friendly form adjacent to a university or college. The village centers are locations for commercial, institutional and residential uses to support GMU and nearby employment centers.
V
V, Village District: This district is designed to provide for, and encourage development of, residential and neighborhood commercial uses, intermingled in a neighborhood of small lots, laid out in a traditional street grid. (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-351)
VDOT: Virginia Department of Transportation (website)
Village: A long-range land use special planning area with a mix of uses (including residential, commercial, civic/institutional, and potentially other land uses) that serve as focal points for the surrounding rural communities.
VMRC: Virginia Marine Resource Commission (website)
VRE: Virginia Railway Express (website)
W
WTFT, Waterfront District: This long-range land use district provides opportunities for a mix of residential and non-residential uses near waterways.
Z
Zoning Ordinance: Chapter 32 of the Prince William County Code for the purpose of promoting health, safety, order, prosperity, the conservation of natural and historic resources, and the general welfare of the public.