Scroll down for news articles and links to Zoning Ordinance information.
Prince William Zoning Ordinance, based on Title 15.2 Chapter 22 of the Virginia Code, contains the land use regulations for all land in the County. The Zoning Ordinance defines legal rights and constraints for land use.
The Zoning Ordinance is one of the primary tools to implement the goals included in the Comprehensive Plan. No update to the Zoning Ordinance followed the adoption of the 1998 Comprehensive Plan, which was widely supported by citizens. As a result, many of the goals included in the Comprehensive Plan could not be implemented. The 1998 Comprehensive Plan was updated in 2003. The County is now revising the Zoning Ordinance to reflect the goals and vision established by the Comprehensive Plan.
A quick review of the Comprehensive Plan adds perspective to the proposed Zoning Ordinance changes. The County has posted an Overview and Quick Reference Guide for the Comprehensive Plan, which covers the main ideas.
Prince William's Zoning Ordinance Review Committee (ZORC) began the review process. Many of their comments are included in the Comments section of the Zoning Ordinance Update. Some members also submitted a Minority Report, outlining ideas important to the authors.
After waiting six years, Prince William is now in a hurry to complete the Zoning Ordinance update. Generally, there appear to be two schools of thought: update the Zoning Ordinance now or take a little longer to make sure we do a good job.
The rules are made by the people who show up. The Planning Commission Public Hearing is Wednesday, September 1 at 7:00 p.m. The Board of Supervisors Public Hearing is Tuesday, September 21, 7:30 p.m. Contact your representatives.
One difficulty in reviewing the Zoning Ordinance is that references to individual topics are scattered through more than one section. Downloading the PDF documents posted on the County's web site lets you use the 'Control F' search feature.
The County has posted an overview of proposed changes online. Links to the appropriate sections of the Zoning Ordinance update are included on this webpage. Some of the changes getting attention include:
News Articles
County to Update Zoning Ordinance
The planning commission, the Zoning Ordinance Review Committee and county planning staff have reviewed the ordinance for months to bring zoning requirements into compliance with the comprehensive plan, a document that outlines future growth patterns for the entire county.
Lillian Kafka, Potomac News; August 31 2003
County Reviews Zoning Issues
The county's zoning ordinance dictates how close homes can be built near each other, what environmental information builders must provide before they break ground and how many condominiums are allowed per acre.
Lillian Kafka, Potomac News; July 12 2004
Planners Envision U.S. 1
A new zoning designation called "village mixed use" would allow property owners to build commercial next to residential buildings.
Lillian Kafka, Potomac News; July 31 2004
Deadly Fairfax, Virginia Fire Shows Growing Peril; Distance Between Houses Could Lead to Large Fires
"People are interested in having less yard and living in a more compact environment," said Sherman Patrick, Prince William's zoning administrator. "It's a desire to provide an alternative for townhouses and a new urban design that people like..."
Eric Weiss, Washington Post; July 19 2004
Planning Board Undertakes Overhaul; Zoning Procedures Get Second Look in Light of Recent Controversies
Flaws in Prince William County's site plan approval process prompted the Planning Commission Wednesday to begin the detailed task of improving its procedures.
Matt Hourihan, Potomac News; May 21 2004
Board Initiates Comprehensive Plan Amendments
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted Tuesday to initiate seven new Comprehensive Plan amendments, the first step towards redesignating land for development.
Tara Slate Donaldson, Gainesville Times; March 19 2004
Anatomy of a Bottleneck: The U.S. Route 29/I-66 Interchange at Gainesville, Virginia
In West Prince William, as is the case elsewhere, over-planning and over-zoning is a reflection of the unfounded hope that if a great deal of land is officially designated for "tax base" land uses (office, retail, repair service, warehousing, fabrication and manufacturing, etc.), then someone will build these uses. "Zone it and they will come" is the basis for this fantasy.
E.N. Rissee, Synergy Planning