Planning Office Renames and Aligns Divisions to Enhance Customer Service

Starting July 1, the Prince William County Planning Office will roll out new division names for its key services aimed at making planning services easier to understand and more user-friendly for residents, businesses and development partners. 

The changes, adopted as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, rename the office’s three primary divisions to better reflect the services each provides: 

• Community Planning and Revitalization (formerly Community Development) 
• Countywide Planning (formerly Long Range Planning) 
• Land Use Review (formerly Current Planning) 

"We recognize that navigating the land use process can be complex for residents and stakeholders," said Tanya Washington, Director of the Planning Office. "Through this rebranding of our core services, we are putting an emphasis on customer experience, making it easier for our community to understand who to contact and how we can assist them at each stage of the planning and development process, and how to get involved in shaping land use decisions in the county." 

The Community Planning and Revitalization Division focuses on neighborhood-level planning, revitalization and placemaking through the development of small area plans, as well as supporting the implementation of small area plans adopted by the Board. Informed by public input, these plans establish a community-level vision and outline strategies for future development.   

The Countywide Planning Division oversees long-range land use planning through managing updates to the county’s Comprehensive Plan, which guides future growth for the county, and the Zoning Ordinance, which directs where and how land is developed. The division also supports cultural resources preservation of historic sites, communities and cemeteries; conducts reviews of new public facilities; and manages the department’s mapping and technology functions. 

The Land Use Review Division leads the county’s review and case management of land use applications, including rezonings, special use permits and proffer amendments for rezonings. The division collaborates with other county departments to evaluate and guide these proposals from initial submission to final Board of County Supervisors decisions. 

“Renaming the Planning Office divisions reflects a thoughtful refresh that supports our residents by making county government easier to navigate,” said County Executive Chris Shorter. "Modernizing how we present and structure these services reflects our broader commitment to customer service excellence and helps strengthen our connection with the community we serve." 

For more information about the Planning Office and the updated division structure, visit: www.pwcva.gov/planning.