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1. What is a site plan?

A site plan is a set of engineering plans for any commercial, industrial, or multifamily development, as defined in the County Code. A site plan is needed whenever the footprint for a commercial building changes, which includes changes to utility lines and parking lots. A site plan is also needed for commercial additions such as sheds, storage areas, fences, and concrete pads.

2. What must I provide to obtain site plan approval?

You can obtain an application for a site plan from the Planning Division. Staff recommends that you either submit a conceptual plan or set up a pre-application meeting to review the site plan process and answer questions. Read more on the Site Plan page.

3. What is the process for reviewing site plans?

Your site plan will be reviewed using one of 2 processes, depending upon the size and scope of the proposed project. The first process is DRC review, which culminates in a hearing before the Planning Commission. It is used for larger and more complicated projects. Criteria for DRC review are listed below. Site plans not meeting DRC criteria are processed by an administrative review, which does not involve any Committee or Commission review.

4. What should I do after the site plan receives preliminary approval?

Once a plan has preliminary approval, you may contact the Engineering and Resource Protection Division at 757-253-6670 to get information about obtaining a Land Disturbing Permit. This permit allows you to begin clearing, grading, and installing utilities. Fees and surety bonds may be required. Please note that you will have 1 year to submit revised plans and receive final approval from the Zoning Administrator. If final approval is not granted within 1 year, the plan becomes void. New applications, fees, and plans will need to be submitted.

5. When can my site plan receive final approval?

After you address all comments and submit 10 sets of revised plans, a plan may receive final approval. When a plan receives final approval, you will receive written notification and 2 copies of the approved plan. One copy is for your files and 1 is to be kept on the construction site. An approved final site plan will be valid for a period of 5 years. If the site plan is not put into use or building permits are not obtained, the plan becomes void. New applications, fees, and plans will need to be submitted.

6. What should I do after the site plan receives final approval?

Before beginning construction, contact the Building Safety and Permits Division at 757-253-6626 to get information about applying for building permits. It is possible to have a site plan and a building drawing reviewed concurrently, but a building permit will not be issued until final site plan approval has been obtained.

If you will be connecting to public water and sewer, contact the JCSA at 757-253-6800 to apply for service.

There is a fee based on the size of the water meter required for the project.

7. Will I need any other permits?

Other than a Land Disturbing Permit and Building Permit, a Health Department permit is required for plans proposing septic tanks and/or wells. Developments with sewage pumping stations or well facilities also require approval from the State Health Department. If any kind of Health Department permit is required, you will have to submit plans to both the Planning Division and the Health Department. Call the Health Department at 757-253-4813 for more information.

Please note that certain water and sewer facilities may require a special use permit before a site plan can get preliminary or final approval. Additionally, if you are building in the southern portion of the County, your water may be served by Newport News Waterworks (NNWW) instead of the JCSA. Planning staff will tell you if your plan falls under NNWW jurisdiction. If your plan will have water served by NNWW, a separate review by NNWW is required after your plan has received preliminary approval. Please contact NNWW at 757-247-8465 for questions and information about review fees.