Environmental, Land Development, & Transportation

Duties
The Department’s Environmental and Land Development component administers the County's plan of development,  land disturbing, and stormwater ordinances and the County's Transportation Plan. It also provides inspection services and monitors compliance of land disturbing activity. The department assists staff and citizens with environmental concerns or questions. 
  
Plan of Development
The Plan of Development (POD) review process ensures that certain types of development meet the applicable requirements of the zoning, subdivision, building, and fire codes and ordinances. A Plan of Development is a multiphase process during which the applicant submits for review and approval drawings of a property that depict proposed building layout, water and sewer lines, roads, drainage, landscaping and other necessary improvements. The proposed use of the property must be permitted by the current zoning classification. The POD is reviewed and approved administratively by staff after reviews by Environmental Engineering, Zoning, VDOT, Public Utilities, Building Official, and the Fire Marshal. If required, a POD must be approved prior to issuance of any building permit associated with the POD approval.

A POD is generally required for:
 

• Any commercial building or structure that requires a building permit
• Any development that requires infrastructure or parking improvements
• Any multi-family/mixed use development

Erosion and Stormwater Management Permit (ESMP)

On June 22, 2023, The State Water Control Board adopted the revised Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management (VESM) Regulations.  These regulations combine the previously adopted Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations and Stormwater Management Regulations into one program, as both programs regulate land disturbance. Implementation of this new regulation became effective on July 1, 2024.  This regulation required all Viriginia localities to amend their existing ordinances to bring them into compliance with these new regulations.  Goochland amended its ordinances to adopt the Erosion and Stormwater Management regulations on July 2, 2024.  

Under the new program, there is a single Erosion and Stormwater Management Permit (ESMP) application. The required information to be submitted with the permit application is based upon the proposed sitework.  See links below for details on what information is required. (Prior to adoption of these new regulations, applicants were required to obtain two separate permits for the proposed sitework.) 

An Erosion and Stormwater Management Permit (ESMP) is required before conducting ANY land disturbance of 10,000 square feet (0.23 acres) or greater. Land disturbance is defined as a manmade change to the land surface that may result in soil erosion or has the potential to change its runoff characteristics. This includes construction activity such as the clearing, grading, excavating, or filling of land; grubbing of stumps; removal of roots; and/or stripping of topsoil. 

A “Responsible Land Disturber” (RLD) form must be on file with the County before any land disturbance occurs. This form is part of the permit application package and identifies an individual holding a Responsible Land Disturber certificate issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. This individual is responsible for carrying out the land-disturbing activity in accordance with the approved erosion and sediment control plan. The RLD may be the owner, applicant, permittee, designer, superintendent, project manager, contractor, or any other project or development team member. More information on the RLD certification can be found here Version OptionsEnvironmental, Land Development, & TransportationHeadline. 

Click here  Version OptionsEnvironmental, Land Development, & TransportationHeadlineto determine what information must be submitted with an ESM Permit application.

ESM Permit for Single-Family Detached Residential Structures

 In certain circumstances, state regulations allow for land disturbance associated with the construction of a single-family detached residential structure to be permitted under an agreement in lieu of an Erosion and Stormwater Management Plan. The “agreement in lieu” specifies a set of conditions and environmental controls that shall be implemented to comply with the requirements of state regulations without the need for a full grading/site plan and permit. 

An “agreement in lieu” application AND a building permit must be issued by the County before beginning land disturbance associated with the construction of a single-family detached residential structure (to include driveway installation). Land disturbance includes any area in which the vegetative cover has been removed and the soil has been exposed. This includes the primary building site plus other areas cleared for a driveway, walkway, hardscaping/patio, well, septic drainfield, yard, and landscaping/garden beds. 

• Any single-family detached residential structures that propose land disturbance of five (5) acres or greater are not eligible for an “agreement in lieu” and will require a full ESM permit from the County.
• Click here  to determine the permitting requirements and fees for land disturbance associated with the construction of a single-family residential structure.

Stormwater Permit for Single-Family Detached Residential Structures
Instead of obtaining a full storm water management permit, in certain circumstances, the State allows for single-family detached structures to submit an agreement in lieu of storm water plans.

• Single-family detached residential structures that disturb less than one acre of land and that are not part of a larger common plan of development or sale (e.g., subdivision) currently under construction, including additions or modifications to existing single-family detached residential structures, do not require any storm water management permits nor do they require coverage under the general permit from the State.
• Single-family detached residential structures that disturb less than one acre of land and that are part of a larger common plan of development or sale (e.g., subdivision) currently under construction where the SFD is not being built by the same party listed on the subdivision VSMP, require coverage under general permit from the State. At the time of building permit application, the applicant shall complete the Single-Family Agreement in Lieu of a Stormwater Management Plan and a $200 County fee will be assessed. Operators of these land-disturbing activities are authorized to discharge under the general permit and are not required to submit a separate storm water management permit or the State portion of the permit fee. Operators shall comply with the terms and conditions of the general permit including the preparation of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
• Any single-family detached residential structures that disturb equal to or greater than one acre of land and the SFD is not being built by the same party listed on the subdivision’s current VSMP, require coverage under the general permit from the State. At the time of building permit application, the applicant shall complete the Single-Family Agreement in Lieu of a Stormwater Management Plan and a $200 County fee will be assessed. Operators of these land-disturbing activities are authorized to discharge under the general permit and are not required to submit a separate storm water management permit or the State portion of the permit fee. Operators shall comply with the terms and conditions of the general permit including the preparation of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
• Any single-family detached residential structures that disturb equal to or greater than five (5) acres of land requires a separate storm water management permit from the County
• Click here        to determine if you need a Stormwater Management Permit.