City of Virginia Beach

Development Services Center

OVER-THE-COUNTER APPROVALS AND SMALL PROJECTS ON SINGLE-FAMILY RPA LOTS

ELIGIBILITY PLAN REQUIREMENTS DSC PROCESS

  1. HISTORY:

The Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA) Program for Virginia Beach has experienced increasing concerns regarding the cost of site plan preparation for minorresidential projects in the Resource Protection Area (RPA). Many homeowners have reported that the cost in time and money of the site planpreparation often exceedthe cost of the project and has become a significant financial burden for them with little or no value added to the protection of the Chesapeake Bay.

  1. ACTION:

In response to this concern, City staff developed two additional categories that may be applied to minor projects. Eligible projects that fall under either of these two categories will have fewer requirements for site plan preparation. The minimum site plan requirements are listed in the appropriate Submittal Checklist. DSC Staff and/or the Preliminary Project Request (PPR) Review Committee will determine final eligibility. The two additional categories are as follows:

  1. Over-The-Counter (OTC) Projects (no review fee)
  2. Small Projects on Single-Family RPALots ($135.00 review fee)
  1. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Projects must meet the following minimum qualifications in order to be eligible for one of the aforementioned categories:

  • The land disturbance must be 2,500 square feet or less;
  • The site must be a single-family lot (residential) within the RPA;

  1. PROCESSES:
  1. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Projects Process:
  1. An applicant comes to the DSC counter with the proposal on a survey and submits project for initial review by Staff.
  2. Sites with active Stop Work Orders or Notice of Violation will require additional investigation to determine the appropriate process and may not be eligible for immediate OTC approval.
  3. Examples of Eligible Projects for OTC Approval:
  1. Replacement roofing, shingles, or siding;
  2. Repair and maintenance of rotten/damaged boards or railings of existing decks without foundation work, not located in the first 50’ seaward buffer or on highly erodible slopes;
  3. Dormers and new roofs;
  4. Arbors (no roof);
  5. Enclosures of existing covered decksand/or porches that do not alter the main structure and/or floor’s structural integrity or exceed the structure’s existing footprint (e.g., installing windows).
  6. Generator padsof 35 square feet or less, not located in the first 50’ seaward buffer or on highly erodible slopes.
  7. Driveway and sidewalk replacements of 75 square feet or less.
  1. If a projectis eligible for OTC Approval, the applicant’s survey is stamped approved by DSC Staff. If a project is not eligible for OTC Approval, the applicant must submit a PPR Application.
  2. The applicant proceeds to the permitting office. The applicant first checks zoning compliance at the Zoning counter. After Zoning approval, the applicant proceeds to obtain their permit from the Permits & Inspections (same office).
  1. Small Projects on Single-Family RPA Lots Projects Process (Redevelopment scenario):

1.An application, complete with the PPR Form, is submitted for review by the PPR Committee.

2.Sites with active Stop Work Orders or Notice of Violation will require additional information and may not be eligible for the Small Projects Process.

3.Examples of Eligible Projects (Redevelopment)with proposed improvements to be built within existing impervious cover:

  1. Decks and Patios;
  2. Building Additions;
  3. Driveways;
  4. Sidewalks;
  5. Sheds;
  6. Porches, stoops, and steps;
  1. Other similar projects over existing impervious coveras deemed suitable through the PPR process.

4.The Committee renders a decision, and if the project is acceptable, a letter is sent to the applicant with the Conditions of Redevelopment and requirements for permitting. The letter will have a block for the homeowner’s printed name and signature, which is an acknowledgment and agreement to the Conditions and requirements listed therein.

5.The applicant completes the Submittal Checklist for a Small Project in the RPA and submits a package to the DSC for review and approval, inclusive of the signed letter. The minimum requirements for a site plan are located in the Checklist. Additional items or review procedures may be required upon review of the site plan.

6.Planning Staff (DSC, Civil Inspections, and Zoning) reviews the site plan within approximately 15business days and responds to the applicant. DSC notifies the owner when the plan is approved and ready for pick-up.

7.The applicant proceeds to Permits Inspectionsto obtain the building permit after picking up the approved plans.

  1. Small Projects on Single-Family RPA Lots Projects Process (Administrative Variance scenario):
  1. An application, complete with a PPR Form, is submitted for review by the PPR Committee.
  2. Sites with active Stop Work Orders or Notice of Violation will require additional information and may not be eligible for the Small Projects process.
  3. Examples of Eligible Projects (Administrative Variance) with new impervious cover of 200 square feet or less:
  4. Decks and Patios;
  5. Building Additions;
  6. Driveways;
  7. Sidewalks;
  8. Sheds;
  9. Porches, stoops, and steps;
  10. Landscaping walls with footers;
  11. Water features (e.g., fish ponds, fountains);
  12. Other similar projects as deemed suitable through the PPR process.
  13. The Committee renders a decision, and if the project is acceptable, a letter is sent to the applicant with the Conditions of the Administrative Variance and requirements for permitting. The letter will have a block for the homeowner’s printed name and signature, which is an acknowledgment and agreement to the Conditions and requirements listed therein.
  14. The applicant completes the Submittal Checklist for a Small Project in the RPA and submits a package to the DSC for review and approval, inclusive of the signed letter. The minimum requirements for a site plan are located in the Checklist. Additional items or review procedures may be required upon review of the site plan.
  15. Upon submission of the site plan package, the applicant must pay a $150.00 CBPA Administrative Variance Fee.
  16. Notification signs must be posted on the property immediately after the application package is submitted for review.
  17. Planning Staff(DSC, Civil Inspections, and Zoning) reviews the site plan within approximately 20 business days and responds to the applicant.
  18. The plan and variance are approvable only after the variance notification sign has been posted for 15 calendar days and any public comments/issues resolved. DSC notifies the applicant/owner when the plan is approved and ready for pick-up.
  19. The applicant proceeds to Permits Inspections to obtain the building permit after picking up the approved plans.

X:\DSC\Letters\SF_CBPA Team\Project Manager\Small RPA Projects\Eligible Projects FINAL MBM .doc

Revised: 10/12/11