| Two of the departments within the Loudoun County Government that are responsible for reviewing land use applications are the Department of Planning and the Department of Building and Development. The Planning Department reviews: The Department of Building and Development reviews: Many of the documents and forms associated with these land use applications are online and you will find links to them below. Also online are documents and presentations made at the Loudoun County Plats, Bonds & Deeds Symposium on June 20, 2007. Subdivision What is a Subdivision? A subdivision is defined as the division of any tract of land into two or more lots for the purpose, either immediate or future, of transfer of ownership of record. The county has established several processes regarding the subdivision of property. A land developer typically creates a subdivision by filing a preliminary subdivision plat and a record plat. Two of the more common subdivision types utilized at times by citizens and individual property owners are the Subdivision Waiver process and the Family Subdivision process. Why do I need a Subdivision application? The purpose of the subdivision application review process is to ensure that all newly created lots conform to the applicable requirements of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (ZO), the Loudoun County Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO), and the Loudoun County Facilities Standards Manual (FSM). These documents outline minimum standards necessary to guide the growth and development of Loudoun County in order to promote and protect the health, safety, and welfare of future property owners, current and adjoining properties, and the community. What do I need to make a Subdivision application? -
A completed Land Development Application form available online or from the Department of Building and Development. This includes a minimum submission checklist of required items to be submitted. -
A plat prepared by a professional engineer or surveyor which has been prepared in accordance with the Administrative Procedures chapter of the FSM and meets the minimum submission checklist requirements; -
A check for the appropriate fee made out to Loudoun County; -
Legal documents as may be appropriate. At minimum this usually requires a deed of subdivision and/or a deed of easement and dedication. Sample forms are online and also may be obtained from the Department of Building and Development. How do I apply for a Subdivision application? Although it is not required, it is strongly recommended that a pre-application meeting be conducted with a staff member from the Department of Building and Development. Since the LSDO provides for several alternatives which may be used to subdivide property, applicants are encouraged to meet with the staff to discuss potential subdivision options. It is strongly encouraged that such a meeting occur prior to the preparation of any final plats. A preliminary sketch is requested for any pre-application meeting. Submit the required number of copies of the application material accompanied by the fee check to the Department of Building and Development. What is the county review process for a Subdivision application? -
The application material is reviewed for completeness and conformance with minimum submissions checklist requirements. -
The applicant is advised whether the application is acceptable and, if it is not, how to bring the application into conformance before review can begin. -
In addition to Zoning, Subdivision, Environmental, and Engineering review by the project manager, outside agencies evaluate the proposal for conformance with their respective regulations. -
These agencies include the Virginia Department of Transportation (access design), Environmental Health and/or Loudoun County Sanitation Authority (water supply/sewage disposal), and the County Attorney (legal documents). Sample legal documents are available at the Department of Building and Development. Applications with properties located adjacent to the incorporated Towns of Leesburg, Hillsboro, Lovettsville, and Round Hill are usually sent to those jurisdictions as well. The Towns of Hamilton, Middleburg and Purcellville have subdivision control one mile beyond the limits of where their ordinances apply. Properties within both county and town control must meet the subdivision requirements of both jurisdictions. -
The project manager notifies the applicant, in writing, of all issues and required revisions raised during the review. There also may be discussion of the review comments. -
Any required changes are made to the proposal and resubmitted for review to ensure that issues have been adequately addressed. -
The project manager notifies the applicant when the application is ready for approval or if it will be denied. For an approved application, the applicant must record the plat at the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court within six months of approval or it becomes invalid. -
Although there is a 60-day review time line, additional time may be needed to allow the applicant to respond to issues raised. Where can I get more information about the process? Department of Building and Development
1 Harrison Street, SE, Third Floor
Leesburg, Virginia 20175
703-777-0397
Site Plan What is a Site Plan? A site plan is a detailed engineering drawing of proposed improvements to a given lot. A site plan usually shows a building footprint, travelways, parking, drainage facilities, sanitary sewer lines, water lines, trails, lighting, and landscaping. The specific requirements are outlined in Chapter 8 of the Loudoun County Facilities Standards Manual (FSM). When is a Site Plan Required? A site plan is required by Section 6-701 of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance for development of any land which falls into the following categories: -
All uses on a commercial or industrial zoned property; -
All permitted uses in the residential districts, except for agricultural structures and single-family detached dwellings, duplex dwellings, townhouses and accessory uses and structures allowed by the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance; -
Those special exception uses and structures which require a site plan; -
Any development in which any required off-street parking space is to be used by more than one establishment; -
When an alteration or amendment is proposed to the site improvements or design of a previously approved site plan, unless site plan amendment criteria can be met; in that case, a site plan amendment application may be filed; -
When an existing residential use is proposed for a change to a commercial, industrial, or multi-family residential use; -
All public buildings and institutions; -
All other uses involving a building required to be reviewed by the Planning Commission under Section 15-1.456 of the Code of Virginia as amended. Why do I need a Site Plan? Loudoun County requires site plans for property development to insure that development occurs in an orderly manner and that standards are followed for the protection and promotion of the general health, safety, and welfare of the county's residents. The site plan process encourages attractive and harmonious development for the ultimate site users and for the county as a whole. The approved site plan will be used by the contractor responsible for construction of the site improvements. What do I need to make an application? -
A completed Land Development Application form available from the Department of Building and Development. This includes a minimum submission checklist of required items to be submitted; -
A site plan prepared by a professional engineer in accordance with the Administrative Procedures chapter of the FSM; -
A filing fee based on the current Fee Schedule with the check made out to Loudoun County. How do I apply for a Site Plan? -
If you have never submitted a site plan application in Loudoun County, it is recommended that a pre-application meeting be arranged through the county's Chief Engineer in the Department of Building and Development. -
Submit a completed Land Development Application, ten copies of the site plan, and the fee check to the Department of Building and Development. What is the county review process? Chapter 1244 of the LSDO (Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance) establishes a time frame of 60 days for review and approval of a site plan. After checklist review and acceptance of the site plan by Building and Development for processing, it is sent out on referral to appropriate outside agencies such as: Fire and Rescue, the Loudoun County Sanitation Authority, the Health Department, the Virginia Department of Transportation, and the Department of Planning. The 60-day review time line is based on the time the application is actually in the county for review but does not include the time the applicant's engineer is making revisions to the Site Plan. These agencies will review the plan for specific conformance to engineering principles and planning requirements outlined in the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, the LSDO, and the FSM. This review will encompass transportation, storm drainage, sanitary and water service, landscaping, and public safety. All review comments will be sent to the applicant. The applicant will revise the plan as necessary to meet all applicable Ordinance requirements. Pursuant to Virginia State Code, an approved site plan is valid for five years. If diligent construction has not occurred within the five-year period, the site plan becomes invalid. Where can I get more information about the process? Department of Building and Development
1 Harrison Street SE, Third Floor
Leesburg, Virginia 20175
703-777-0397
Family Subdivision What is a Family Subdivision? A Family Subdivision is defined as the division of a lot into no more than six (6) additional lots for the purpose of sale or as a gift to a member, or members, of the immediate family of the property owner. No person who has previously received a lot through the Family Subdivision process anywhere in Virginia is eligible to receive a lot through the Family Subdivision in Loudoun County. An immediate family member is defined as any person who is a natural or legally defined child, stepchild, grandchild, spouse, or parent of the property owner. The property owner is required to have owned the property for at least one year prior to filing the Family Subdivision. A lot created through the Family Subdivision process is not eligible for further subdivision for one year. Why do I need a Family Subdivision? The purpose of the Family Subdivision review process is to ensure that all newly created lots conform to the applicable requirements of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (ZO), the Loudoun County Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO), and the Loudoun County Facilities Standards Manual (FSM). These documents outline minimum standards necessary to guide the growth and development of Loudoun County in order to promote and protect the health, safety, and welfare of current and future property owners, adjoining properties, and the community. What do I need to make a Family Subdivision application? -
A completed Land Development Application form, which is available from the Department of Building and Development; -
A plat prepared by a professional engineer or licensed surveyor which has been prepared according to the ZO, LSDO and FSM; -
A filing fee based on the current Fee Schedule and made out to Loudoun County; -
A Deed of Gift/Conveyance from the Family Subdivision grantor to the grantee(s); -
A completed Affidavit which states that the Subdivision is intended to keep the family estate within the family and not for the purpose of short-term investment or circumvention of the County Code (a blank form is available); -
If applicable, a Deed of Private Access Easement and Maintenance Agreement; -
A Deed of Dedication of Public Road/ Right-of-Way for future road improvements if the total area of dedication is one-half acre or greater. How do I apply for a Family Subdivision application? Although it is not required, property owners are encouraged to briefly discuss the feasibility of a Family Subdivision proposal with a staff member of the Department of Building and Development before plat preparation. These initial discussions with staff can address possible lot line options, environmental and transportation issues. In addition, because regulations are re-evaluated and changed in response to many community factors, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact staff in order to obtain the most recent information available. Submit a completed Land Development Application, the required number of copies of the proposed plat, legal documents, and the fee check to the Department of Building and Development. What is the county review process for a Family Subdivision application? -
The application material is reviewed for completeness and conformance with minimum submissions checklist requirements. -
The applicant is advised whether the application is acceptable and, if it is not, how to bring the application into conformance before review can begin. -
In addition to Zoning, Subdivision, Environmental, and Engineering review by the project manager, outside agencies evaluate the proposal for conformance with their respective regulations. These agencies include the Virginia Department of Transportation (access design), Environmental Health and/or Loudoun County Sanitation Authority (water supply/sewage disposal), and the County Attorney (legal documents). Sample legal documents are available at the Department of Building and Development. Applications with properties located adjacent to the incorporated Towns of Leesburg, Hillsboro, Lovettsville, and Round Hill are usually sent to those jurisdictions as well. The Towns of Hamilton, Middleburg and Purcellville have subdivision control one mile beyond the limits of where their ordinances apply. Properties within both county and Town control must meet the subdivision requirements of both jurisdictions. -
The project manager notifies the applicant, in writing, of all issues and required revisions raised during the review. There also may be discussion of the review comments. -
Any required changes are made to the proposal and resubmitted for review to ensure that issues have been adequately addressed. -
The project manager notifies the applicant when the application is ready for approval or if it will be denied. Although there is a 60-day review time line, additional time is sometimes needed in order to allow the applicant to respond to issues raised. Where can I get more information about the process? Department of Building and Development
1 Harrison Street SE, Third Floor
Leesburg, Virginia 20175
703-777-0397 |