Frequently Asked Questions

Whenever an inspection fails twice for the same task, a re-inspection fee of $100.00 is assessed to recover the cost of the additional inspections. This fee must be paid at the Building Inspection Office. Inspectors will not accept payment for re-inspection fees in the field. No other inspections will be scheduled until the fee has been paid.

To schedule an inspection, you may call our inspection line 804-556-5815 or email us at bi-emails@goochlandva.us. 

If you call our inspection line, it will ask you to leave a voice message. Please speak slowly and clearly.

Please provide the following information:

Permit number is mandatory. Fail to provide this information and the inspection will not be scheduled.

Construction site street address.

Type of inspection requested. For commercial projects, be specific as to location (i.e. second floor, above ceiling, room #123)

Contact name and a phone number (including area code).

Inspections will be scheduled for the next workday provided they are received by 3:00 p.m. the previous business day. All requests received after 3:00 p.m. will be scheduled for the second business day.

We cannot schedule a time for your inspection. You may call after 9:00 a.m. the day of the inspection to obtain a window for when the inspection will take place. Staff will only provide an “AM” or “PM” time designation. Please do not ask for anything more specific.

For generator finals, homeowners or contractors must be onsite to start the generator. 

There are three primary methods for registration: mail, in-person or online. All three methods require the full completion of a registration form as well as appropriate form of payment at the time of transaction. Register online by visiting this link.

Yes. Visit this link to view programs or register online. 

Please note that there is a service fee associated with utilizing a credit card. If you are interested in paying with credit card, you will need to access our online registration system.

For detailed information regarding all of our parks, visit this page.

You can reserve a facility by submitting a completed facility use application with payment. Facility use applications are available online or in either of our offices. Requests are subject to availability.

If the school system is closed, or has early release due to weather our evening programs will be cancelled. If Goochland County government has closed for the day or issued an early closing due to weather, then all programs will be cancelled and our building will be closed.

Our open gym schedule varies season to season. For the most up to date information contact the office at 804-556-5854 or visit this page. Watch the website and Facebook for schedule changes per season.

The weight room are cardio room are open when the Goochland Sports Complex is open. For the most up to date hours contact the office at 804-556-5854 or visit this page. 

You can call 804-556-5340 or email wgrady@goochlandva.us to order a cart if you are in an approved subdivision.  These are large 96-gallon carts with wheels.  It will take two weeks to receive your cart.

First, contact your HOA and determine if this is a feasible option for your subdivision.  Depending on how your bylaws are set up, you may need to hold a meeting or send out a notification, to get consensus on initiating this program and charging residents for the service.  The County bills each HOA according to the number of households in the subdivision, regardless if certain households do not wish to participate in the program. The current cost is $62.76/household/year.  If your subdivision would like to begin curbside service, the next enrollment period begins in April for the next fiscal year (starting July 1).  The County will send out bills annually, and the HOAs must pay at least three months in advance of renewing the curbside service. Payments received by the County will be transmitted to the CVWMA.  

Call Wendy Grady at 556-5340 or email wgrady@goochlandva.us to add your new address to the system.

Drop-off facilities are available for recycling if you do not reside in a subdivision. The closest one to eastern and central Goochland is located at 1908 Hidden Rock Lane, Maidens, VA 23102.  Curbside recycling may be available on a case-by-case basis to those residents located outside of a subdivision.

Please visit the CVWMA website for more information on curbside recycling, such as acceptable items and collection schedule.  

For missed collections, please call the CVWMA hotline at (804) 340-0900.

To obtain a dog license, you must produce a valid rabies certificate and pay the appropriate fee. The fees are as follows:

Lifetime dog license (single dog): $10.00

Multi dog – up to 20 (twenty) dogs: $25.00

Multi dog – up to 50 (fifty) dogs: $50.00

Multi-dog licenses are valid through December 31st each year.

The Board of Supervisors sets the tax rates each year. At this time the tax rates are as follows: Personal Property: $3.95 per hundred (before tax relief*) *for information regarding the personal property tax relief act, please contact the Commissioner of the Revenue (804) 556-5807. Real Estate: 53 cents per hundred Tuckahoe Creek Service District: 32 cents per hundred.

Yes, animals are available for adoption. The adoption fee schedule is as follows:

Dogs are $90.00 which includes spay/neuter, microchip, and relavant diagnostics and vaccinations. 

Cats are $75.00 which includes spay/neuter, microchip, and relavant diagnostics and vaccinations. 

Yes, it is illegal to allow a dog to run at large off of its owner’s property April 1 through May 31. Running at large is defined as roaming, running or self-hunting while not under its owner’s or custodian’s immediate control.  Also, year round dogs must be on a leash when on Goochland County property such as parks, school grounds and recreational facilities.

These reports can be obtained in person at Fire-Rescue Administration located at:

2938 River Road West

Building I

Goochland, VA 23063

Please be prepared to provide identification in the form of a government issued picture ID. Due to their sensitivity and HIPAA regulations, Patient Care Reports will only be issued to the patient or a third part that has legal documentation authorizing the release. It is advisable to call 804-556-5344 prior to coming for your report. This will give us adequate time to make copies and will minimize your wait. There is no charge for these reports.

Information on the location of our fire-rescue stations and unit capabilities can be found on our station information pages (http://www.goochlandva.us/306/Fire-Rescue-Stations). To determine the distance from the local fire-rescue station to your property or you can utilize the "My Government Services" option on our website (http://gis.co.goochland.va.us/goochland-my-government-services/). Enter the address in the top right search box and the response order of the stations and distance from the location will appear at the bottom of the screen. 

Hydrant information can be found by utilizing the County's GIS mapping system (https://gis.co.goochland.va.us/GoochlandPV/), searching for the address, and choosing the hydrant map layer. For more information, please call 804-556-5304.

Effective January 18, 2024, the 2021 edition of the Uniform Statewide Building Code will go into effect. Any permit submitted after January 17, 2024, will be reviewed in accordance with the 2021 USBC. The 2018 edition of the USBC may be used if a formal code modification request has been submitted and approved by the Building Official prior to January 18, 2025.

• Ground Snow Load: See link below • Wind Speed: 115 mph - 3 second gusts • Rainfall: 3.3" / hour • Seismic Catagory: B • Weathering: Severe • Frost Depth: 18 inches • Termite: Moderate to heavy • Winter Design Temperature: 17 Degree Farenheit • Mean Annual Temperature: 56.1 Degree Farenheit • Ice Barrier Underlayment: Yes • Flood Hazards: Contact Environmental Engineer 804-556-5849 • Air Freezing Index: 1500 or less • Shrink Swell Soil: See link below

Contact customer service (804) 556-5815 between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Call the automated inspection line 24 hours a day (804) 556-5815 Email the inspection request to bi-emails@goochlandva.us. Please include the following information: Permit Number, Date of Inspection, Site Address, Type of Inspection, Your Name and Phone Number

You are required to have the work ready for inspection at 8:00 a.m. the day of the request. Inspectors typically leave the office around 9:00 a.m. and spend the remainder of the day inspecting. Because of too many variables with work location and the size and shape of the County, we cannot honor specific times for inspections. To reduce your wait time, it is recommended that you contact the inspector the day of your inspection before 8:30 a.m. so that they can give you a window of time that they may be at your site.

To view the Goochland County Property Numbering and Street Naming manual see link below.

Yes, please see the County Code fee schedule at APPENDIX C - FEE SCHEDULE | Code of Ordinances | Goochland County, VA | Municode Library which is updated any time fees are changed..

Go to the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office, main floor Administration Building, Room 220. Bring with you your State Contractors license. You will be given an application and asked to estimate either your total gross receipts for the project or for the calendar year, depending upon where your office is located.

The current ad valorem rate has been $0.32 per $100 value since 2012. This tax is in addition to real estate tax. The real estate tax rate is currently set at $0.53 per $100 value (2017). Example: If a parcel of land is assessed at $100,000*. The real estate tax would be calculated $100,000/$100 = $1,000 x $0.53 = $530 The ad valorem tax would be calculated $100,000/$100 = $1,000 x $0.32 = $320 Total real estate and ad valorem tax = $850 *Properties within the TCSD that participate in the special assessment for land preservation program (Land Use Program) shall be taxed at the full assessed value. Below is a graph that compares Goochland’s ‘Ad Valorem Tax’ residents to other neighboring localities.

The debt, as paid by the Ad Valorem tax, will not be paid in full until 2042, with a goal of early payoff around 2031. So the tax will remain in place until the debt and other obligations are met.

In addition to the Ad Valorem Tax, 55% of the increase in general real estate levy revenues from taxation on land and improvements of non-residential properties is dedicated to meeting the repayment obligations. The 2002 value of taxable non-residential land and improvements in TCSD serves as the base from which increases are calculated. These General Funds must be dedicated to the debt obligation until paid in full and cannot be utilized for other General Fund obligations. Below is a graph.

The chart below shows the assessed value of the property in the TCSD since 2003 for new construction and growth combined. 

Note: Total assessed value is a combination of new construction and growth in value of existing properties.

Note: Total assessed value is a combination of new construction and growth in value of existing properties. 

The County borrowed for water and sewer infrastructure through revenue bonds issued through the Virginia Resource Authority (VRA) and made other long term obligations to Henrico County and the City of Richmond related to providing water and sewer.

Please see below link for the remaining debt service by year.

In 2012, 2020, and 2024, the County was able to take advantage of lower interest rates and restructure the debt payments, which provides additional time for development to occur within the Tuckahoe Creek Service District and stabilize the ad valorem rate at $0.32, with a goal of paying off early.  See the attachment in #9 listed above.

Below is a chart that shows the original expected ad valorem tax rate structure prior to 2012 refinancing vs. the new outlook for the ad valorem rate following the refinancing.

Yes, reserves are established for the TCSD. Reserves as of 6/30/2024, $13,286,796 are held in US Bank.

Yes, all TCSD documents are public documents and available to any resident who wishes to view or have a copy of them. Further, to provide clarity on the TCSD, we created this Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section with the goal of explaining the past, present, and future of the TCSD. Most key documents can be found in these FAQs, and we will continue to add information based on questions that are asked by citizens that are not already addressed here. The TCSD portion of the County Code can be found here: County Code

Yes, Please see links. 

Goochland & Henrico Water Agreement

Goochland & Henrico Wastewater Agreement

Goochland & Richmond Wastewater Agreement

Yes, everyone pays connection fees per the Goochland County Code. Please check the Public Utilities website for the most up-to-date fees: Utility Fees

The County has an agreement with Henrico County for 5.25 million gallons of water per day (mgd). The County’s ultimate capacity from Henrico County is for 25 mgd.

Please see the Goochland and Henrico agreement - Goochland & Henrico water agreement

Yes, all accounts in the Goochland County system are on the same billing rate structure. Please check the Public Utilities website for the most up-to-date rates: Utility Rates

Yes, there are legally taxable properties that are not in the TCSD but are within the physical boundaries of the district. These properties have the benefit of water and sewer infrastructure but do not pay the ad valorem tax because they are connected to water and sewer infrastructure built by a private land owner in the early 1990s, before the creation of the TCSD in June 2004. While these properties are within the TCSD boundaries, they are served by the privately built infrastructure and are not part of the TCSD.

While not subject to the ad valorem tax, each of these properties pay capacity charges that are unique to these properties and are not paid by any properties that pay the ad valorem tax.

Here is a listing of those properties and the amount of reserved capacity:

* The West Creek account represents unbuilt project(s) entitled to utilize the remainder (76,000) of the reserved capacity.

The capacity charges are designed to defray the County’s cost from Henrico County to purchase its water and sewer capacities. The capacity charge helps to pay for the operational expenses of maintaining the water and sewer infrastructure. The capacity charges collected from these properties vary from year to year, but totaled approximately $76,500 in Calendar Year 2024.

Yes. The capacity charges have been applied to each account since the first agreement signed on December 21, 1990.

No, capacity charges are applied to each account even if it is not connected to the County system.

No. Capacity charges are not deposited in the general fund or the ad valorem account. The revenue generated from the capacity charges is treated in a similar manner to our regular utility usage fees and are used for the operation and maintenance expenses for the utility system.

None of those property owners have expressed an interest in transferring any of their reserved capacity; moreover, the capacity for those property owners represents only 412,000 gpd of the 5.25 million gpd capacity the County has reserved with Henrico. If the County needs more, it is entitled to increase its capacity from Henrico to 25 million gpd. Please see executed contract document with Henrico County for more details.

Yes. Henrico County provides the 5.25 million gpd of capacity without making any distinction between TCSD and capacity charge customers.

Once the private infrastructure system was installed, the County department of utilities began to operate and maintain it as part of the overall utility system, thereby incurring some operational expenses. However, most of the properties connected to the system shortly after it was completed and continue to generate utility revenue to offset expenses.

No. Except those properties listed in the table in question number 21, any property connecting to TCSD infrastructure pays the ad valorem tax.

There are 4 main water connections from Henrico County to Goochland County. The TCSD paid for connections on Broad Street Road and Ridgefield Parkway. Development that pre-existed the TCSD paid for connections on Patterson Avenue and River Road.

At this time, additional connections between the 4 main connections have been created for the purposes of looping water lines to increase water quality, increase the fire flow demands, and to provide redundancy in the system in case there is a water main break.

Yes, other than the project(s) that will use the unassigned 76,000 gallons per day of reserved capacity shown in the table in question 21, all legally taxable properties will be subject to the ad valorem tax.

There is a water and sewer system in the Courthouse. The Courthouse system purchases water and sewer capacity from the Department of Corrections and does not use any TCSD infrastructure. The properties that receive Courthouse water and sewer services do not pay the ad valorem. However, they pay the same water and sewer rates as all utility customers.

There are also some privately owned and operated water systems in the County. They were not constructed with County funds and they do not pay ad valorem taxes.

The Board of Supervisors will consider requests for removal from the district once every two (2) years beginning in September 2016. The next consideration will be September 2020. There are certain minimum requirements that must be met before the Board of Supervisors will consider a request for removal. 1.The request must be for residential property not currently serviced by water or sewer. If the property is serviced by water and/or sewer from the TCSD, the property must remain in the TCSD. 2.No such parcel shall be removed from the service district unless such removal is offset by the inclusion of parcels(s) subject to taxation of equal or greater assessed value at the time of inclusion that were added to the district within the preceding two (2) years of the request. 3.Commercial property is not eligible for exclusion from the TCSD. In addition, any parcel of land that is removed from the district shall not be eligible for rejoining the district for a period of five (5) years after the request to be entered back into the district. An application to be removed from the TCSD can be found below:

Yes, please see this link for a presentation that combines all of the FAQ questions into one document - TCSD Powerpoint Presentation

The Tuckahoe Creek Service District (TCSD) presentation given at the Board of Supervisors Audit and Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, can be found at Tuckahoe Creek Service District (TCSD) presentation May 2, 2023. 

A recording of the meeting and presentation can be viewed at https://goochlandva.new.swagit.com/videos/225526. 

An underground storage tank (UST) system is a tank (or a combination of tanks) and connected underground piping having at least 10 percent of their combined volume underground. The tank system includes the tank, underground connected piping, underground ancillary equipment, and any containment system. The federal UST regulations apply only to UST systems storing either petroleum or certain hazardous substances.

Until the mid-1980s most underground storage tanks (USTs) were made of bare steel, which is likely to corrode over time and allow UST contents to leak into the environment. To address a nationwide problem of leaking USTs, Congress passed a series of laws to protect human health and the environment beginning in 1984 with an amendment to the Solid Waste Disposal Act. 

Estimated at 106 (2010 database report). 

DEQ’s ‘Piedmont Regional Office’ would be the proper agency, but the specific contact person would differ depending on the subject matter.    Elizabeth Broeniman and Michael G.  Kelly have been previous inspectors for Goochland County’s UST’s (804-527-5020).

All UST’s are required to have spill, overfill, and corrosion protection.  Testing frequency depends on the type of UST.  Some systems require daily product reconciliation by taking daily tank readings to verify that the product leaving the tank is attributed to filling a vehicle and not a leak.  Other systems are outfitted with a digital gauge.  These tank volume readings are verified by a third party specializing in statistical analysis.  Every three years, systems are required to verify that the fuel lines pass a tightness test and a tank cathodic protection test.  These reports are provided to the DEQ representative during their inspections.

DEQ inspects registered tanks every three years.  They check for the technical requirements listed above, conduct an onsite inspection, and verify the owners’ financial responsibility to pay for costs associated with cleaning up releases and compensating third parties.

DEQ has jurisdiction over all UST’s, therefore, whenever Goochland County government receives a question or concern regarding them, we coordinate directly with DEQ.

DEQ has jurisdiction over the UST program. They conduct inspections every three years.

Farm and residential tanks of 1,100 gallons or less capacity holding motor fuel used for noncommercial purposes and tanks of 110 gallons or less capacity do not need to meet federal UST requirements. This is also the distinction between residential and commercial tanks.

Removal or abandoning of underground storage tanks (UST) must be done by a licensed contractor and requires a mechanical trades permit from the Building Inspection department. Please contact the Community Development Customer Service Center at 556-5860 or visit the Building Inspection website at http://www.goochlandva.us/168/Building-Inspection

The Department of Environmental Quality oversees the abandonment or removal of USTs. Please visit the DEQ website for more information http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/LandProtectionRevitalization/PetroleumProgram/StorageTanks/undergroundstoragetanks.aspx.

Please visit the EPA website at https://www.epa.gov/ust/frequent-questions-about-underground-storage-tanks

Please visit our Well FAQs here to get information regarding well testing.

Please click here to for the Frequently Asked Questions regarding septic systems.

Contact the Goochland Health Department at 556-5843 or a local laboratory. Additional information may be viewed at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage-water-services-updated/private-well-program/

Contact the Goochland Health Department at 556-5843 or a local well driller.   Additional information may be viewed at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage-water-services-updated/private-well-program/

Contact the Goochland Health Department at 556-5843. A representative of the Health Department will visit your property to conduct a sanitary survey of the area requested for the well. A permit will be issued for a suitable location that meets the Private Well Regulations. Well permits are valid for 54 months.

Please click here to for the Frequently Asked Questions regarding septic systems.

Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions here on underground storage tanks.

Contact the Goochland Health Department at 556-5843. Depending on the age of your house, the Health Department may have record of the septic installation or any modifications/changes to your septic system. A local certified onsite soil evaluator or onsite sewage disposal system installer/operator may also be contacted to conduct a site evaluation for assistance. Additional information including a list of AOSE may be viewed at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage-water-services-updated/

Contact the Goochland Health Department at 556-5843 or a local certified onsite sewage evaluator. Most perk tests for Certification letters to prospective buyers or sellers of property to certify that the lot has a site for an onsite sewage disposal system are now required to be conducted by the private sector. Additional information including a list of AOSE may be viewed at  http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage-water-services-updated/

A new septic construction permit is issued during the building permit process. A building permit must be applied for at the Building Inspection Department before the Health Department will review the septic construction permit. Please contact the Community Development Customer Service Center at 556-5860 or visit the Building Inspection website at http://www.goochlandva.us/168/Building-Inspection

There are two options for obtaining a septic construction permit.

Hire a private Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE) to determine the location and type of septic system. The AOSE will provide engineered septic construction plans to submit with your building permit. Please note that your septic must be designed to either meet or exceed your planned number of bedrooms. AOSE construction plans are required for lots in subdivisions and will expedite the Health department review. AOSE construction plans are valid for eighteen (18) months and are transferrable to a new owner.  Additional information including a list of AOSE can be found at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage-water-services-updated/.

Apply for a “bare” septic application. A representative of the Health Department will visit your property to conduct a site and soil evaluation to determine its suitability for an onsite sewage disposal system. “Bare” septic applications can only be processed by the Health Department if a building permit is also being applied for and if the site is for the property owner’s principal place of residence. If an area is suitable, it will be identified, and a construction permit will be issued. The approval will include the permit to construct a well, if desired. This permit is valid for 18 months and is transferable to a new owner. If an onsite sewage disposal system area has been previously approved under a subdivision review, or previously issued a permit, and a different location is requested, the applicant must hire an AOSE or soil consultant to designate a new site and submit the appropriate paperwork. Use of AOSE’s is encouraged and may result in a faster processing time for Construction Permits. Additional information including a list of AOSE can be found at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage-water-services-updated/.

Please click here for the Frequently Asked Questions on wells.

Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions here on underground storage tanks.

Shrink-swell soils are referred to by many names. "Expandable soils," "expansive clays," and "heavable soils" are some of the many names used for these materials.

Soils are composed of a variety of materials, most of which do not expand in the presence of moisture. However, many clay minerals are expansive. When a soil contains a large amount of expansive minerals, it has the potential of significant expansion. When the soil contains very little expansive minerals, it has little expansive potential.

Goochland County has potential problem areas, however, with careful onsite investigation or analysis by structural engineers, foundations can be properly designed to address the potential movement due to shrink-swell soils. Prospective homeowners who are aware of these potential hazards can insist on a soil report and/or structural design from your contractor.  You may also negotiate a warranty with your contractor against future problems.

The Department of Building Inspection cannot perform specific on-site evaluations. It does, however, provide information like the shrink-swell map and assists with interpreting and using the information. An engineered soil report by a qualified professional will address soil issues specifically related to your property.

An engineer’s soils report, also known as a geotechnical report, is a tool used to communicate site conditions as well as design and construction recommendations to building design and construction personnel. Specifically, soils reports provide detailed information on the interpretation and analysis of sub-surface soil, rock and water conditions. Based on this information the engineer makes precise design and construction recommendations for such things as footing, basement and retaining wall designs.

For all new single-family residences, duplexes, townhomes, residential attached structures (including but not limited to additions, screen porches, sunrooms, or any expansion to the footprint of the existing structure), detached structures exceeding 400 square feet in size and all commercial construction.

Shrink-swell soils are present throughout the world and are known in every U.S. state. Every year they cause billions of dollars in damage. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that 1/4 of all homes in the United States have some damage caused by shrink-swell soils.

Even though expansive soils cause enormous amounts of damage, most people have never heard of them. This is because their damage is done slowly and cannot be attributed to a specific event. The damage done by shrink-swell soils is then attributed to poor construction practices or a misconception that all buildings experience this type of damage as they age.

There are some ways to minimize problems associated with shrink-swell soils without resorting to redesigning the foundation. These techniques involve keeping expansive soils from either expanding or shrinking too much around the foundation of a house by maintaining a relatively constant moisture content. Here are a couple of ways to help maintain soil moisture content:

1. Remove large trees and bushes that grow within about 10 feet of the house. Large plants tend to dry out the soil especially during the summer months.

2. Utilize drip irrigation systems to water vegetation. This minimizes the use of large volumes of water at one time.

3. See that down spouts and roof gutters disperse run-off away from the foundation. If possible, direct roof water into closed pipes that empty onto the street or other suitable location away from the foundation. This is the single most important step that can be taken to help minimize the average expansive soil problem.

4. Slope grade away from the foundation a minimum of 6” in the first 10’ of grade (0.5%). This aids runoff and helps prevent water from puddling or seeping into the ground. This simple step can significantly decrease a problem.

Soil Survey of Goochland County, Virginia 1968-1975

The original policy was created in the late 1990’s and based from paper maps. Since that time, the maps have been digitized allowing staff to better analyze the data.  Staff determined that the presence of shrink swell soil is more prevalent than contemplated in the original policy. To protect the citizens of Goochland County, a revised policy and map were created that identify most of the County as having the potential for shrink swell soil.

A design professional such as an architect or a structural engineer will be able to evaluate your house to determine if you should hire a contractor.  

The 2021 Virginia Residential Code, (VRC) Section R401.4 states that the Building Official shall require soils tests to determine if shrink swell soils exist in areas that are likely to have shrink swell soils.

Goochland County began billing for EMS transports on January 1, 2013.

Ambulance Transport Cost Recovery is a program that allows localities to charge for the cost of emergency medical transport services.

The costs to meet the needs of residents with quality fire-rescue services are constantly increasing. These increases are due to population growth as well as continuous improvements in technology which require equipment upgrades or replacement.

Virginia authorizes localities to charge reasonable fees for the use of emergency medical service vehicles.

Service fees are based on the level of care provided during transport. Advanced Life Support (ALS 1 and ALS 2) are life-saving measures provided by Paramedics. Basic Life Support measures are provided by EMTs or Paramedics. Charges are also generated on “loaded” mileage, which is calculated from the scene to the hospital. Loaded miles are those traveled during patient transport. If there is no transport, there will be no bill for service.

No person will ever be denied emergency medical service because of an inability to pay.

If you have concerns about paying your bill, you can contact the Goochland County Fire-Rescue Administration for information.

The County has a third-party biller which files the claim first with your insurance company. Any portion not paid by insurance will be billed to the patient. You will receive two invoices, and if you are unable to pay, the debt is written off. The County has a “compassionate” policy. No accounts are sent to collections and unpaid invoices do not affect your credit.

The third-party vendor use by Goochland County uses for emergency transport billing is not local. Requests for insurance information and invoices will come from the vendor, not Goochland County.

Payments are handled directly by the bank using a secure lock-box account. No payments can be accepted at the Fire-Rescue Administration or Treasurer’s office.

The hospital collects your insurance information which is then provided to the third-party biller.

Health insurance premiums will continue to rise regardless of localities billing for emergency medical transports; however, ambulance costs are less than one percent of health care expenditures and have minimal impact on insurance premiums. Less than one penny of every insurance dollar is spent on EMS transports.

Collections vary by agency and region due to demographics, location, percentage of insured patients, number of calls run, type of billing level, and fee structures. Historically, Goochland has collected (on average) the equivalent of almost 2 cents out of the County Tax Rate.

All department members have been trained on patient privacy through the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and adhere strictly adhere to those standards. In addition, everyone in the department must attend mandatory HIPAA training every year.

If a patient is unable to electronically sign for receipt of the department’s privacy practices, the patient care provider documents the reason for not being able to obtain a signature.

We would hope not. Research conducted by most agencies and billing companies have not found evidence to validate this claim. While Goochland County covers most of the operational funding of services, individual volunteer stations rely on donations for the upkeep of facilities and improvements. Goochland County Fire-Rescue has not seen a decrease in volunteer donations since implementing fees for service.

No. Money collected from cost recovery offsets taxpayer funds but does not cover all operating and capital expenses of the department.

Insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid cover emergency medical transports. Many transported patients are not residents of and do not pay taxes in Goochland County. Billing for service generates revenue from only the users of the services in lieu of raising taxes for all Goochland constituents. Most localities in Virginia are now billing for transport services in order to better fund their emergency fire and rescue response needs. The fees collected reduce the burden that would need to be collected through additional taxes.

Broadband is any connection that allows data to move from the internet to your device quickly.  When it's slow, it's an internet connection but it's not broadband.  In Virginia, broadband is defined as a connection with speeds of greater than 10 megabits per second download - when things load from the internet to your computer or device - and 1 megabit per second upload - which is when you send something from your computer or device out to the internet.

Verizon has made an independent business decision not to expand Fios into Goochland.  They determined their Verizon Wireless products are solutions for broadband in rural localities.  All providers including Verizon are welcome and encouraged to expand service to Goochland citizens.

Goochland's franchise agreement with Comcast is non-exclusive, other providers can offer service if they choose too.  Franchise agreements only pertain to cable television service, they cannot and do not regulate the provision of broadband service.  All providers including Verizon are welcome and encouraged to expand service to Goochland citizens.

Goochland County does not regulate the utilization of fiber in public rights-of-way, nor does the county own much of the fiber in the county.  The county does have the ability to leverage a length of fiber that has recently been extended from the County Administration Building to Byrd Elementary School.  The county is willing to consider access/lease space of county assets (towers, fiber, facilities, property, and existing infrastructure), and to work with providers in a manner that is encouraging, flexible, cost effective, and values the investment of broadband providers.

While you may have what seems like a lot of towers, you don't have enough for 5G.  We are certain, here's why.

5G, unlike previous improvements in cellular technology, is going to require transmitters to be VERY close together, sometimes as close as a few hundred yards apart.  Plus, towers and transmitters don't do anything on their own; they need to be connected by fiber-optic lines.

While 5G may roll out to the Commonwealth's urban cores sometime in the next few years, it won't likely reach anywhere not currently served by broadband service anytime soon, and even when it does, providers are going to need a ton of fiber optic capacity to make a 5G network work.

TCSD FAQ Website

Two questions will be before voters to ask whether Goochland County should be authorized to issue up to $96 million in general obligation bonds to pay for improvements to public facilities. Voters will respond “yes “or “no” to each question. The proposed bond amounts are:

• $60 million for school projects
• $36 million for public safety projects

Virginia law requires County voters to approve general obligation bonds through a referendum. You have the opportunity to vote either YES or NO on the question. If there are more YES votes on a question, then the Goochland County Board of Supervisors will be authorized to sell bonds for the purpose described in the ballot question. If there are more NO votes on a question, the county cannot issue general obligation bonds to finance the purpose described in the question unless authorized in another referendum.

Bonds are a means of financing projects. Bonds are loans to pay for capital projects. The bonds (loans) are repaid through regular principal and interest payments. The principal and interest payments are often referred to as “debt service.”

For the proposed projects the County plans to issue General Obligation (GO) bonds.

Under State law, counties are required to secure voter approval through a referendum before issuing GO bonds. Cities do not have this requirement. Because the County has a GO credit rating of AAA from two rating agencies, the County generally may obtain lower interest rates on GO bonds than on other bonds. Lower interest rates are beneficial to taxpayers.  Moreover, the issuers of other types of commercial bonds also charge administrative fees that are higher than the administrative costs incurred in issuing General Obligation bonds.

Bonds are generally not issued all at once. The County would not issue the bonds until work on a project is expected to occur. All the projects associated with the referendum have been specifically identified as upcoming needs in the County’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for several years. The current CIP lists all of the projects as being priorities to be undertaken within the next 8 years.

Bond referendum authority allows the County to issue/sell bonds for eight years after the approval of the referendum. Additionally, the Circuit Court may grant another two years, for a total of 10 years.

No, not necessarily. The referendum does not seek voters’ approval to complete the projects, but instead seeks voters’ approval to finance them through issuance of GO bonds which are backed by the County’s full faith and credit. The County could still proceed with the projects using other financing mechanisms.

If one or both of the bond referendum questions does not receive more YES votes than NO votes, the County cannot issue general obligation bonds to fund the identified projects. General obligation bonds are not the only funding source available; the County could pursue the projects with alternative funding sources. However, general obligation bonds traditionally carry lower overall borrowing costs when compared to other funding options and therefore are considered the most prudent method to finance long-term capital projects.

Issuance of bonds is an additional means of financing capital projects. Virginia law requires that in order for General Obligation bonds to be considered and used as a mean of financing by the County, Goochland voters must have an opportunity to vote either YES or NO on each bond question. If there are more YES votes on a question, then the Goochland County Board of Supervisors will be authorized to sell bonds for the purposes described in the ballot question. If there are more NO votes on a question, the County cannot issue general obligation bonds to finance the projects described in the question, but could instead find alternative means to fund the projects.

No, there are several steps in the process. The first step has already occurred because, for several years, these projects have been identified as needed in the county’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The next step is choosing how to fund the projects. The referendum is a necessary step in order to be able to use General Obligation (GO) bonds to finance these projects. GO bonds are usually the least expensive way to borrow money to fund long-term capital projects.

Even after the referendum, GO bonds won’t be issued until the Board of Supervisors and County staff collect specific data about the costs and interest rates available for a GO bond issuance. If GO bonds are the best way to finance a project, then the Board of Supervisors will then adopt a resolution authorizing the actual sale of the GO bonds. GO bonds will only be issued if the revenue projected for the County budget is sufficient to cover existing principal and interest payments (debt service) as well as debt service from the issuance of any new bonds.

The County has several fiscal policies concerning debt and debt service. One of those policies requires that the ratio between the County’s debt service and expenditures be at 10% with a ceiling of 12%. Every year, county staff will review calculations and projections of debt-service-to-expenditures and other debt ratios. Staff will ensure that the ratios continue to be met over the life of the bonds; if the debt-service-to-expenditure ratio is approaching the ceiling, then capital projects can be shifted to later years or deleted.

No. Bond sale proceeds authorized for a specific purpose may not, by law, be used for any purpose other than the purpose specified in the referendum question.

The County will be able to issue the General Obligation bonds that the voters supported and undertake those projects. The County could seek alternative funding options for the projects in the bond question that was not approved.

For capital projects, the County has funding alternatives other than General Obligation bonds, including cash funding and other bond types and borrowing options. Passage of these referendum questions does not mean that the County will be left without the means to fund other capital improvement projects.

No. Goochland County will be able to carry and pay off the additional debt under its existing tax rate.

Using bonds to pay for the projects would help ensure that they are started and completed more quickly. Additionally, issuing bonds stabilizes the year-to-year costs for capital projects and spreads the cost of long-life major projects over time.

State law does not establish legal debt limits for counties. Given guidance from the credit rating agencies and advice from the County’s financial advisors, the Board adopted these debt ratios as boundaries to keep debt in check relative to the overall County budget:

1. Net debt as a percentage of estimated taxable assessed value should not exceed 2.5%.
2. The ratio of debt service expenditures as a percent of total general fund expenditures should be 10% with a ceiling of 12%.

The bond program is designed not to contribute to an increase in property tax rates. Goochland County has adopted prudent financial management policies designed to protect its triple-A bond rating.

If we were to pay cash for the projects instead of taking on debt, it would either take us many years to save enough money to fund the projects or we would need to increase the tax rate for several years in order to collect through taxes the cash needed on an annual basis for these projects. Issuing bonds spreads the cost of long-life major projects over time, ensuring that both current and future residents share in the payment of the cost of the community's long-term projects.

Yes, reasonable financial forecasts project that the County can afford the anticipated debt service payments on the general obligation bonds.  The ratio of debt service expenditures as a percentage of total general fund expenditures can, pursuant to the county’s financial policies, be between 10-12%.  The County’s debt service is currently around 2.7% and even with the issuance of $96 million in General Obligation bonds, it is anticipated that our debt service will not exceed 8%.

Moreover, two critically important facts underlie this statement: one, the entire amount will not be borrowed all at once, but over time, as the projects are ready to be constructed; two, when any project is ready for funding, the County and its financial advisors will undertake a careful analysis of the current market conditions, and of the timing, amount, structure, interest rates, operational needs, and debt policies before making a final decision to move forward with bond issuance.  Goochland County currently has earned two AAA ratings from bond rating agencies, the highest rating possible. Because of this, the County will be able to obtain the lowest possible interest rates available in the market.

Each year the County goes through the annual budget process of planning current expenditures to meet current ongoing revenues. In anticipation of issuing future debt, the County has been increasing the amount budgeted for debt service each year to ensure that operational needs as well as debt service needs can be met. The County will continue to use conservative annual budgeting as well as multi-year planning to forecast the debt service needs of the County as well as the operational needs.

The new bond debt will have no impact on the TCSD bond debt. The TCSD bonds were issued to finance the infrastructure to be able to provide access to water and sewer utility services in the TCSD area. The bonds have two dedicated sources of revenue to pay the debt service: the $0.32 ad valorem tax on property in the district and 55% of the general increase in real estate revenues from commercial property in the district. Over the years, and with the benefit of two refinancings to take advantage of lower interest rates, those revenue streams have been sufficient to make the debt service payments on the TCSD bonds. Current financial analysis projects that they will continue to be sufficient to cover those debt service payments through the full repayment of the bonds which is anticipated to occur by 2032.

Property is being donated for this fire station in West Creek near the intersection of Tuckahoe Creek Parkway and Hockett Road.

The County is currently seeking an appropriately-located parcel on which to build a District 2 fire station. The District 2 fire station is included in the county's current Capital Improvement Program (CIP), and the county is already in the land acquisition stage for it.

Given the significant amount of residential and commercial development in the eastern end of the county, there is a greater life-safety need for the West Creek Fire-Rescue Station at this time. The county’s current Capital Improvement Program (CIP) reflects anticipated construction of the West Creek station in approximately 5 years. The District 2 Fire-Rescue Station is already in the land acquisition and planning stages.

While there is not yet an estimated cost for the new Fire-Rescue Station, up to $8 million is the amount of the borrowing the County is associating with the construction and equipping of the new Fire-Rescue Station which is expected to be similar in size to the Company 6 Fire-Rescue Station.

No. The Historic Courthouse and all of the historic buildings on the courthouse green will remain. Construction of the new courthouse will not interfere with these buildings. Non-historic buildings on or near the courthouse green, like the Quonset Hut that currently houses General Services personnel, may be removed.

The Historic Courthouse does not have the space and security features needed for our court system today. Moreover, courts, the Sheriff, and court support personnel are located in 7 different buildings in the courthouse area, which is inefficient and not as safe for employees and the public. The new court building will house all of the courts, offices for the Circuit Court Clerk, General District Court Clerk, Commonwealth's Attorney, and Sheriff's Court Security, as well as provide enhanced security, secure holding facilities, and more parking.

While there is not yet an estimated cost for the new courthouse, up to $28 million is the amount of the borrowing the County is associating with the construction and completion of the new courthouse.

No, the County owns sufficient land adjacent to the current courthouse green to allow the construction of the new courthouse and parking areas, without removing or destroying any of the historic structures on the courthouse green.

The new Goochland Elementary School will be designed to meet the core purpose of instruction. The Goochland School District is known as a division of excellence and our goal is to build a school that reflects that core value; a building that the community can be proud of yet remains within the budget.

No. The request for up to $60 million in borrowing authority is based on an expectation that the School Division would borrow approximately $34.5 million for the new elementary school, approximately $21.5 million for renovations to the current Middle and High Schools, and approximately $4 million for road and parking lot upgrades to improve traffic flow along Bulldog Way. Each project costs more than the amount we anticipate borrowing; we are also cash funding approximately 10% of the total project cost as a prudent financial practice.

The current Goochland Elementary School will be repurposed to be used as additional office space for county departments and agencies.

Goochland County Public Schools (GCPS) is committed to protecting the community's investment in its school facilities. However, not only do facilities wear out over time, but they also become outdated. This facility needs specific renovations to meet the technological and instructional needs of our high school program in the future. Furthermore, as the population in Goochland grows, so does our high school enrollment. GCPS finds itself in a higher class of athletic competition which demands more facilities for more teams as well as more spaces for specialized fine arts, career and technology classes. GCPS, therefore, needs to expand and renovate our county-wide high school to be an effective and efficient learning environment for another 20 or 30 years.

The current County 25-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes a replacement school for Byrd in 2033-2034 which means that it will not be ready for students until the 2035-36 school year or later. The current CIP has a replacement for Randolph in 2037-2038 which means that it will not be ready for students until the 2039-40 school year or later.

All county residents benefit from Goochland having a top-notch school system. Residential real estate listings typically identify public schools in the area, so a good school system helps with residential home values. In addition, businesses want to locate in a place with a good school system and business growth is good for the county's tax base.

All county residents benefit from Goochland having an excellent school system. The new Goochland Elementary School will be a centralized location for division-wide elementary school activities and is being built to accommodate the increased student enrollment in Goochland since all elementary schools are at capacity. Redistricting will occur so that temporary trailers and overcrowded classrooms at Byrd and Randolph can be relieved. Therefore, some families in the Byrd and Randolph school districts may be placed in the Goochland school district.

Byrd and Randolph students will also benefit from the projects being funded at the Middle and High school, including safety improvements to Bulldog Way and the parking lots, and the additional facilities and modernizations planned for the Middle and High schools.

The new Bulldog Way road improvements will relieve a lot of the traffic congestion at the Middle-High School complex. The improvements are being made with the safety of students as the top priority.

Third-party engineering firms have determined that Goochland Elementary School (GES) is the school that has the most system (HVAC, electrical, plumbing) and programmatic issues. Even after critical renovations in 2017, GES is the first of our three elementary schools that need to be replaced. There is no gymnasium at the current school and the library is the size of a classroom. Students in our preschool programs and students who are walking to physical education classes cross a busy parking lot in all weather conditions. Furthermore, as the population in Goochland grows, so does our elementary school enrollment. As a centralized location, Goochland ES will be built with a capacity of 650 students to accommodate future growth.

The proposed road improvements to Bulldog Way are to add additional turn lanes to improve the flow of vehicles going to and from the current and future school facilities. Ensuring adequate turn lanes for access to a facility is the responsibility of the developer of the facility and not VDOT. Accordingly, the improvements to Bulldog Way are not the type of improvements that VDOT would undertake or fund, but have to be provided by the School Division. The funds earmarked for transportation improvements will not only provide sufficient turn lanes to ensure safe access to the new Goochland Elementary School, but also additional turn lanes and parking lot improvements to provide for better traffic flow at the Middle School/High School complex.

The new Goochland Elementary School, Bulldog Way turn lanes and Middle School/High School parking lot expansion are in the preliminary design phase. It is anticipated that traffic flow improvements for the Middle School/High School complex will be completed in the next 18 months. With no delay in funding decisions, the new Goochland Elementary School should be ready for students in August 2024. We will begin preliminary design of the high school additions and renovations in Fall 2023 with construction anticipated to start a year later and occurring over several years.

The Proposed Redistricting Map uses a light shading to depict recorded subdivisions anywhere in the county, so that the Redistricting Team could consider subdivisions in drawing the election district boundaries, because one of the Approved Redistricting Criteria is to locate neighbors in the same subdivision in the same election district.

The U.S. Census Bureau creates Census Blocks for each decennial census. For the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau identified 780 Census Blocks in Goochland. Census Blocks are the geographical areas about which the Census Bureau reports its data. In creating a redistricting map, we cannot divide a Census Block; our proposed districts and precincts are created by bundling together Census Blocks.

Census Blocks are required to have clearly observable boundaries, generally those are streets, highways, rivers, or creeks. On the Proposed Redistricting Map, black lines show Census Block boundaries.

Each Census Block on the Proposed Redistricting Map contains a listing of three numbers: the first number (4-digits) is a shortened Census Block Identifier; the second number is the Adjusted Population from the Census Bureau. The third number is not from the Census Bureau data, but is the number of Registered Voters residing in that Census Block based on data from Goochland County’s General Registrar as of November 10, 2021. The number of Registered Voters is included because that number is needed to create proposed precincts.

In a number of instances in the Proposed Redistricting Map, the number of Registered Voters in a Census Block is larger than the Adjusted Population number. This is because of the differences between the two data sets. The Adjusted Population is a number provided by the Census Bureau based on its collection of data from residents in the 2019-2020 time period. The Registered Voter data comes from the General Registrar’s database and is current as of November 10, 2021. The gap in time between the two data sets is significant: between June 2020 (when the Census Bureau should have been finished collecting data) and now, the number of Registered Voters in Goochland has increased by 1,586.

So, for instance, look at Census Block 1003 in District 5 near the border with District 4. The Adjusted Population in that Census Block is 17 and the number of Registered Voters is 88. Census Block 1003 encompasses a portion of the Mosaic subdivision which is under construction; accordingly, there were few residents in that area when the 2020 Census data was being collected, but many more who built, moved in, and have registered as voters by November 10, 2021.

There is no requirement that each Election District have two precincts, so more could be created. Generally, though, there is a manageable number of Registered Voters in each proposed precinct, with the exception of District 4, where, because we are using the Virginia House of Delegates District 56/57 border to divide the precincts, precinct 402 has over 3,000 Registered Voters. If there is an appropriate available polling place, precinct 402 could be split, creating three precincts in District 4. The General Registrar has asked about that possibility.

No. Although there used to be a legal requirement for approval of election districts by the federal Justice Department, there is no longer any legal requirement to have the Department of Justice review and approve election district boundaries.

No, Goochland’s Redistricting Map will not have to be approved by the Virginia Attorney General. The Virginia Voting Rights Act provides two paths for approval of a new redistricting map: community input or Attorney General approval. Goochland is following the Virginia Voting Rights Act process which provides for significant community on its proposed redistricting map; accordingly, the county’s new redistricting map will become effective 30 days after the Board of Supervisors adopts it, without the need to submit the map to the Attorney General for approval.

All residents in proposed precincts 501, 502 and 402 would fall in Virginia House of Delegates District 57 under the current Proposed Redistricting Map. All other Goochland residents would be in the Virginia House of Delegates District 56.

No, not all Board members would still be located in their current districts under the Proposed Redistricting Map. District 2 Board member Neil Spoonhower would still reside in District 2, but District 3 Board member John Lumpkins would also be a resident in the proposed District 2. District 4 Board member Don Sharpe would no longer reside in District 4, but would be located in proposed District 3. The newly proposed District 4 would not have a current Board member residing in it. Board members Susan Lascolette (District 1) and Ken Peterson (District 5) would still reside in their current districts.

Yes, under state law, the members of the Board of Supervisors can continue to represent the districts for which they were elected until the next scheduled Board of Supervisors election, in 2023. This is also true for School Board members and county residents who have been appointed to county committees and boards.

All voters in Goochland will be sent a Voter Information Notice after the local redistricting process is complete. The Voter Information Notice will contain information about the voter’s local election district precinct and polling place, as well as the voter’s state and federal election districts.

A. We have developed a redistricting web application.  Please visit https://www.goochlandva.us/1198/Redistricting-Maps. The first embedded map you see at the top will be the application. Accept the disclaimer and the map will appear. You will see some about instructions pop up on the right. Click the Search button in the top right corner. Start typing your address (street name narrows it down quickly) into the search field, it will begin to auto populate addresses, once you find your exact address in the list click on it. It will then zoom into your address on the map and pop up a blue location box. Click on the arrow all the way to the right in the blue location box and it will show you information about your address (Proposed District, Proposed Precinct, and Existing District). There are other layers available on the map as well available by zooming in and out and using the slider bar in the top right corner.

New Single-Family Dwellings - Process Flow Chart

Additions to Single-Family Dwellings - Process Flow Chart

https://land.goochlandva.us/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService#/home

How-to-Set-up-a-Citizen-Self-Service-Account (goochlandva.us)

First you will need access to Google Chrome. This program works best with the county’s permitting software. Remember, it is very important to provide an email address, preferably not a personal email account but rather a generic account, when setting up your account. There are two types of accounts: a name account and a company account. A company account is recommended for any firm that has more than one person applying for permits or requesting inspections. 

Yes. See Links: 

Video of Contractor Training from 10-21-22 https://youtu.be/GhH4GZlwtmc

Video of Contractor Training from 10-26-22https://youtu.be/zFszQWdwxcY

Submit a merge request form using the below link:

https://www.goochlandva.us/FormCenter/Community-Development-14/New-Permit-System-Contact-Merge-Request-90

No. Prior to adding a contact (contractor, lien agent, RLD, owner, representative, etc.), please use the Search bar feature to see if the contact already exists, rather than creating a new one each time.

List-of-Permit-Plan-Types (goochlandva.us)

Commercial Permits – 6-8 weeks

Residential New Single Family Dwelling – 4 weeks

All other residential permits – 2-3 weeks

You can pay in person at the county administration with cash, check, or credit card, or you can simply pay all associated permit fees on-line. Master card and Visa are accepted.

Yes, a 2.95% (minimum fee of $2.95) is applied to all credit card payments

If you are the property owner – you can provide your e-mail address to your Contractor or Customer Service Center staff and they will add you as a contact to the permit.  You will then receive inspection notifications and updates. 

The new permitting software is parcel driven, you will have different permit numbers for every permit issued. The older permitting system was based on the permit number of the primary permit and each permit afterwards was simply assigned a new prefix with the same number as the building permit (BP-2021-00048, EL-2021-00048, PL-2023-00048).

Yes, until June 30^th, 2023. Beginning July 1^st, 2023, the county will only accept electronic submittals for review.

A legacy permit is a permit that was issued prior to the effective date of the county’s new permitting software which took place on November 14^th, 2022. A legacy permit will typically have approved paper plans, and a different looking permit number than those issued under the new permitting software.

There are two ways to apply:

1) Standalone permits; not being linked to a building permit:

From your dashboard you will click on Apply

Application Assistant page will open; you can scroll down and see the “trending” or most applied for application types, if you do not see what you need use the search bar under application assistant to search for a specific trade type, ie: gas, mechanical, plumbing, or electrical; select the trade that applies to you and then click on the blue apply button.

2) To fire a trade from the building permit:

From the dashboard you will click on the search button; put the , if not search the address and a list of results will come up, you can filter that by clicking on “permit” which will narrow the results, scroll down until you find the building permit you are looking for, once you find it click on the blue hyperlink with the building permit number. You will then be taken to the building permit page, under the blue box with the permit information you will see a list of options that you can click on, select sub records,  scroll down to the bottom, and you will see the remaining sub records that are tied to the building permit. Select “apply” beside the trade type that you need.

1. Duct Test Report (if all ductwork is not in conditioned space)
2. Health Operation Permit (if private well/septic)
3. Backflow Test Report (if backflow for irrigation has been installed)
4. If a generator is present at time of final – make sure both the electrician and the gas contractor have referenced install of the generator in their scope of work
5. For Single Family Dwellings built under the 2018 Code - Approved Blower Door Test Report is required

1. Building Inspection – all inspections must be approved prior to CO
2. Environmental (if single family stormwater is required)
3. Proffer payment must be received prior to CO

1. Health Department Operation Permit (if private well/septic)
2. Building Inspection – all inspections must be approved prior to CO
3. Environmental (if single family stormwater is required)
4. Planning & Zoning
5. Fire Marshall
6. Public Utilities (if county water/sewer)

Certificate of Occupancy will be issued within two business days of the approved final inspection.  See link: Schedule of Inspections. 

Yes. When we started the design of the new Energov software system we added some new required inspections.  One of these inspections was the pressure test on swimming pool lines from the equipment to the pool.  The International Swimming Pool and Spa Code(ISPSC) has required this since its inception in 2012.  Under section 311.9 “Circulation system piping, other than that integrally included in the manufacture of the pool or spa, shall be subjected to a hydrostatic pressure test of 25 pounds per square inch (psi) (172.4 kPa). This pressure shall be held for not less than 15 minutes.”  A DPOR licensed plumbing contractor is required to plumb an in-ground swimming pool.  Any other trades associated with the installation of an in-ground swimming pool shall be licensed in that trade (i.e., electrical and fuel gas).

Email questions to CommDev@goochlandva.us

Click the below link on a user guide for the Citizen Self Service Site: 

https://www.goochlandva.us/DocumentCenter/View/9042/Citizen-Self-Service-User-Guide?bidId=

Summer 2024

If you did not receive a letter, it is because your service material was determined by the inventory to be non-lead on both the public AND private side of the meter.

No. This inventory only affects customers of Goochland County DPU. If you have a well and have concerns, please contact the Chickahominy Health District for more information.

Contact Goochland County DPU at 804-556-5835.

Goochland County purchases its water from Henrico County and the Department of Corrections who utilize water treatment processes, such as corrosion inhibitors and pH adjustments, to prevent lead exposure to customers who may have a lead service line.  If you have concerns, follow the VDH recommendations to reduce lead exposure and have your water tested.

In 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised the Lead & Copper Rule to include a new requirement that all water utilities across the country must create initial inventories of their water service lines and connections to find any lead service line or connection that may exist in a water system. These inventories must also include the customers’ side of the water meter. To meet the initial inventory requirement, Goochland County DPU has conducted an initial inventory of our service lines that connect our water mains to your water meter to determine if any of the lines are made of lead. The inventories for all county owned and operated water systems may be viewed on the Lead & Copper Revisions Information webpage: https://goochlandva.us/1380/Lead-Copper-Rule-Revisions-Information.

For more information about the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule, visit www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/revised-lead-and-copper-rule. 

Goochland County DPU will continue our inventory work until all service lines are identified. Because our water treatment process is confirmed to be working properly throughout our system, we are not replacing unknown lines as we work to identify them. To help with the inventory process, Goochland County DPU has created a service line inventory survey you can take part in to help us determine the material making up your service line. This survey provides an easy-to-use process to enable you to determine if you have a lead, galvanized, or non-lead service line. You may complete the survey here: https://goochlandva.us/1380/Lead-Copper-Rule-Revisions-Information. Additional resources, including a list of steps you can take to help you reduce your potential exposure to lead, can be found at the page listed above. 

It is important to note that finding a line of unknown material does not mean you have been exposed to lead. Goochland County DPU's potable water provider’s treatment processes greatly reduce the possibility that lead from service lines could end up in your water. However, the existence of an unknown line may increase your risk of exposure. These FAQ’s serve to notify you of this risk, inform you of steps being taken by Goochland County DPU, and provide information to help you reduce your risk of lead exposure. If you feel our finding is inaccurate, or if you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact us at 804-657-2034, or via email at nharkrader@goochlandva.us.

Technology Zone is an economic development tool under state law that allows the Board of Supervisors and Economic Development Authority to attract high-technology businesses to locate in the Prime Economic Development area in Eastern Goochland. Technology businesses have the highest revenue producing impacts in terms of taxes and high quality jobs.  High-tech businesses pay significant real estate, business personal property, and machinery & tools taxes. Taxes from businesses locating in the county allows Goochland to provide necessary services without increasing the number of residents or the residential tax rate.

The Goochland County Board of Supervisors has made attracting high-technology businesses, such as advanced manufacturing and data centers, a priority for the county because the tax revenue generated from such businesses is a significant benefit to the county’s tax base. The County’s core government functions are largely supported by both residential and commercial taxes. Having more businesses located in the County helps to alleviate the tax burden on citizens. The Technology Overlay District will give the County the ability to better attract large revenue producing technology companies. Technology businesses have the highest revenue producing impacts in terms of taxes and high quality jobs.  High-tech businesses pay significant real estate, business personal property, and machinery & tools taxes. Taxes from businesses locating in the county allows Goochland to provide necessary services without increasing the number of residents or the residential tax rate.

A Technology Overlay District is a special district designated by the County that allows specific uses along with development standards. It “overlays” the existing zoning district so that the existing zoning remains. The areas within the Technology Overlay District are permitted to have additional uses and taller buildings, but are also subject to greater restrictions with respect to standards designed to protect the impact on property outside the Technology Overlay District, such as buffers, setbacks, noise limits, and architectural standards. 

The Technology Overlay District is part of the zoning ordinance and regulates uses and development standards. The Technology Zone allows the County to provide incentives to businesses to locate in Goochland. These two ordinances will work together to recruit high revenue producing projects to the County with the ultimate goal of fostering long-term economic vitality for the entire County.

The Technology Overlay District is designed to ensure that the desired high-technology businesses are located in the county’s Prime Economic Development areas, where their need for roads and utilities can be met, while also providing significant buffering between the businesses and county residential areas. The Technology Overlay District facilitates the attraction of technology businesses to diversify the County’s tax base and provide revenue to support services for existing and future residents. The Technology Overlay District also strategically permits additional uses and limits them to high revenue generating facilities to ensure highest & best use of Prime Economic Development land. In addition, it helps the County protect rural areas by channeling growth to areas where the infrastructure can support it. Lastly, it provides additional restrictions like noise, setbacks, and screening for adjacent residentially- zoned property.

Please see the map. In determining the best areas for the Technology Overlay District, County Staff conducted a thorough analysis of the County’s designated growth areas. County staff analyzed existing zoning, availability of large tracts of developable land, water & sewer capacity, and road, electrical, and natural gas infrastructure to determine areas that would be appropriate. Please note that the proposed map has changed since the July 7 community meeting with new parcels proposed to be included.

The Technology Overlay District allows three types of additional uses within it:

1. By-Right – this means that the uses below can locate without any additional public hearings. They will have to obtain site plan approval, building permits, and conform to all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

• Advanced manufacturing facility creating products through innovative technologies and characterized by production activities that depend on information, automation, computation, software, sensing, and networking
• Data center (conditional use in TOD West area as shown in the hatched area on the revised map)
• Public Utility: transmission substation, transmission line, other than normal distribution
• Technology college, university, or technical school
• Technology research and development facility
• Technology training center
• Utility generating station (Small modular nuclear reactor facility, Peaking plant, natural gas) 
• Energy storage facility Note: the Planning Commission has recommended that energy generation facilities require a conditional use permit instead of being allowed by-right.

2. Accessory to a by-right use – this means that the uses below can locate as a supporting use to the above listed by-right uses. They will have to obtain site plan approval, building permits, and conform to all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

• Water treatment plant
• Sewage treatment plant
• Elevated water storage tank or tower
• Central heating or cooling facility
• Food service facility
• Security building
• General storage and maintenance facility
• Structured parking
• General office
• Energy generating facility  Note: the Planning Commission has recommended that energy generation facilities require a conditional use permit instead of being allowed by-right.
• Solar Energy Facility, supplementary
• Energy storage facility
• Other accessory uses approved by the zoning administrator at the time of conceptual master plan review

3) Conditional Use Permit – A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) means that uses can locate only if they are subject to full community engagement which includes: 

• a community meeting, 
• a public hearing before the Planning Commission, and 
• a public hearing before the Board of Supervisors. 
• Also, a conditional use permit provides more control over the development than a rezoning; in a rezoning, the applicant decides what conditions to offer, but in a conditional use permit, conditions can be created and imposed on the development by the Board of Supervisors.
• The following uses are proposed as a conditional use permit in the TOD: 
• Data center - for the TOD West area as shown on the hatched area on the TOD map 
• Utility generating station (Small modular nuclear reactor facility, Peaking plant, natural gas) - throughout the TOD 
• Energy generating facility for onsite consumption – throughout the TOD

• Noise  - Adjacent to residentially and mixed-use zoned property
  • Noise standard has been reduced to 55dBA, applicable both night and day and, to address low frequency noises, a noise standard of 65 dBC has been added 
  • Measured at the property line
  • Noise restriction does not apply to sounds generated by construction or generators operating during an emergency or during generating testing
    • Testing is limited to two hours per day between 10:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday
    • Generator testing is required to be posted on a dedicated company webpage to be updated with at least 48 hours notice of a change in testing schedule
  • Environmental noise impact assessment, meeting industry standards, prepared by a third-party qualified professional, which includes modeling in SoundPlan, CadnaA, or acceptable equivalent, must be submitted with initial Plan of Development detailing how the noise limit will be met or ways to mitigate sounds to meet limits 
  • Requirement that generators must minimize noise utilizing at least one of these options: 
    • acoustic walls 
    • enclosed generators 
    • locating generators on side of building away from residential 
    • berms 
    • generator type
  • A second sound study verifying compliance with noise limits under operating conditions must be provided within three months of operations
  • Additional studies (up to four annually) must be provided upon the request of Zoning Administrator, upon alterations or modifications to the facility or equipment, or to investigate a noise complaint
  • A prohibition on generator operation outside of testing and emergencies and defines emergency as: Emergencies means, for these purposes, when, due to circumstances beyond the facility operator’s control, the principal energy source to the facility is temporarily unavailable; if the regulated energy provider directs temporary use of generators for protection of energy grid; or at the direction of public emergency services o Added a limit to construction hours adjacent to residential for exterior construction from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and require signs be posted with allowable construction hours

• Conceptual Master Plan has to be approved to ensure design standards can be met
• Building Design & Materials - robust architectural standards to include:
  • Variation of building height or varied rooflines
  • Building step backs or recesses
  • Fenestrations of at least 20% of façade
  • Quality building materials, with variations of materials required
• Open space requirement of 20%
• Sign Design Package – require a comprehensive sign package
• Lighting - must comply with Article 25 of County Code (dark sky) and regulate pole mounting height to 30’ 
• Screening of equipment – require all outdoor equipment and accessory uses be fully screened 
• Fencing – require that fencing must be interior to the required buffer
• Height, setbacks, and buffers
  • Adjacent to residentially zoned property:
  • Data Center Use 
  • For properties with base M-1 zoning - 250’ vegetative buffer with 300’ setback 
  • For properties with base A-2 zoning – 250’ vegetative buffer with a 500’ setback; a reduced setback up to 300’ can be allowed through a conditional use permit. NOTE: data center requires a conditional use permit for properties located in the TOD West area as shown by hatching on the TOD map
• Other TOD Use – dependent on height – see below
  • Structures up to 60 feet in height require a 200-foot setback (except data centers which require a 300 foot setback adjacent to residentially zoned property or mixed use development with residential uses) 
  • Structures between 60 feet in height and 80 feet in height require a 500-foot setback
  • Structures greater than 80 feet in height are prohibited adjacent to residential, mixed use, or agriculturally zoned property not subject to TOD regulation.
  • Buildings that exceed 60 feet in height that are located adjacent to residentially-zoned property, must, at the height of 60 feet, set back the building façade from the ground floor exterior footprint by a minimum of 15 feet
  • Transmission substation requires a 200’ buffer
  • 
    Structures greater than 80 feet are not allowed
  • Transmission substation requires a 100’ buffer
• Adjacent to agriculturally-zoned property not part of a TOD use:
  • Setbacks dependent on height – see below
    • Structures up to 60 feet in height require a 200-foot setback 
    • Structures between 60 feet in height and 80 feet in height require a 500-foot setback 
    • Structures greater than 80 feet in height require a 600-foot setback
    • Buildings that exceed 60 feet in height that are located adjacent to residentially-zoned property, must, at the height of 60 feet, set back the building façade from the ground floor exterior footprint by a minimum of 15 feet
    • Public utility and all accompanying appurtenances and structures require a buffer width of 100 feet and 50’ setback for electric substations.
  • Adjacent to commercially-zoned property - 35 feet buffer and setback
  • Adjacent to arterial roads - 150 feet buffer and setback
  • Adjacent to collector or local roads – 100 feet buffer and setback
  • Interstate and limited access road -  50 feet buffer and setback
  • Along roads providing general circulation within the conceptual master plan, - 35 feet buffer and setback

Note: West Creek may still develop utilizing the by-right zoning that has been in place since 1987. The landowners have the option to develop under the TOD regulations or develop under their current by-right regulations.  

West Creek was rezoned in the 1980s and has robust standards specified in proffers and restrictive covenants that encompass architectural standards and landscaping so those are not proposed to change under the Technology Overlay District regulations. However, there are some development standards that will apply. Since advanced manufacturing and data centers are allowed “by-right” in West Creek, those uses can locate without any required public hearings, no noise restrictions and very limited buffers and setbacks. With the proposed Technology Overlay District ordinance, IF a user in West Creek wanted to take advantage of the financial incentives available in the Technology Zone or have a building higher than 60’ adjacent to residential, without going through the conditional use permit process, they would be subject to the proposed general Technology Overlay District regulations such as noise restrictions and mandated buffers and setbacks for a data center use. 

No, the County would not use eminent domain for the implementation or development of the Technology Overlay District.

No, the County will not require any landowner to sell their property.

No, the Technology Overlay District supplements the existing zoning.

Yes, you can continue to operate your business per the existing zoning regulations. 

The tax rate is not changing. It will remain at $0.53 per $100 of assessed value. The assessed value of real estate is determined based on the highest and best use of the property; accordingly, it is a possibility that some property in the district will be assessed at a higher value if the highest and best use of the parcel has changed based on the availability of the high-technology uses. If your property assessment increases, you will see an increase in the amount of taxes you owe.

No, your property in the Technology Overlay District can remain in the landuse taxation program as long as it remains undeveloped.  

The standards that are already in existence for West Creek Business Park currently apply. Those requirements include: 

• 100- foot buffer along Hockett Road and a 50-foot buffer along the northern boundary of the business park.
• Dark sky compliant lighting.
• Architectural design standards.
• Landscaping requirements and a minimum of 30% of any developed parcel must be in open space.
• Screening of mechanical and electrical equipment, refuse areas. loading/unloading areas, and screening of outside storage of company owned and operated vehicles is required from roads and adjacent properties. 
• Building height of 60’ adjacent to residential.

Please note: The West Creek Business Park can be developed currently with these standards, even if there is NO Technology Overlay District.  

IF a user in West Creek wanted to take advantage of the financial incentives available in the Technology Zone or have a building higher than 60’ adjacent to residential, without going through the conditional use permit process, they would be subject to the proposed general Technology Overlay District regulations such as: 

• Data center setback of 300 feet.
• Data Center vegetative buffer of 250-foot
• Where a building exceeds 60 feet in height the minimum setback would increase to 500 feet from the property line of Reader’s Branch subdivision
• Where a building exceeds 80 feet in height the minimum setback would increase to 600 feet from the property line of Reader’s Branch subdivision
• Noise Restrictions - Where adjacent to residentially zoned property, noise cannot exceed 65 dB between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., and 60 dB between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. (construction noise and generator testing are excluded)
• A 200’ setback and buffer for transmission substation. 
•  Prohibiting a building that exceeds 80 feet in height. 
• Noise Restrictions - Where adjacent to residentially zoned property, noise cannot exceed 55dBA and 65dBC. (construction noise and generator testing are excluded) 
• Construction activity restriction between 7pm and 7am. 
• Restrict access through local subdivision roads.

For those properties abutting agriculture zoned property in the proposed Technology Overlay District, the following proposed standards would apply: 

• Any data center proposal would require a conditional use permit. A conditional use permit is a public process that requires a community meeting and public hearings by both the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. In addition, if approved, any user will have to obtain site plan approval, building permits, and conform to all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
• Where a building exceeds 60 feet in height the minimum setback would increase to 500 feet from the property line of Mosaic subdivision. 
• A building that exceeds 80 feet in height is prohibited. 
• A 200’ setback and buffer for transmission substation.
• Noise Restrictions - Where adjacent to residentially zoned property, noise cannot exceed 55dBA and 65dBC. (construction noise and generator testing are excluded) • Construction activity restriction between 7pm and 7am 
• Restrict road access through local subdivision roads 
• A conceptual master plan must be provided 
• A minimum of 20% of the master plan must be in open space 
• Architectural and signage requirements 
• Dark sky compliant lighting 
• Fencing of improvements on a property must be internal to the required buffers 
• Screening of mechanical and electrical equipment, refuse areas. loading/unloading areas, outdoor storage, public utility facilities, and truck and trailer parking required from roads and adjacent properties.

For those properties abutting West Creek property in the proposed Technology Overlay District, the standards that are already in existence for West Creek Business Park would apply. Those requirements include: 

• 100- foot buffer along Hockett Road and a 50-foot buffer along the northern boundary of the business park. 
• Dark sky compliant lighting 
• Architectural design standards 
• Landscaping requirements and a minimum of 30% of any developed parcel must be in open space. 
• Screening of mechanical and electrical equipment, refuse areas. loading/unloading areas, and screening of outside storage of company owned and operated vehicles is required from roads and adjacent properties.

IF a user in West Creek wanted to take advantage of the financial incentives available in the Technology Zone or have a building higher than 60’ adjacent to residential, without going through the conditional use permit process, they would be subject to the proposed general Technology Overlay District regulations such as: 

• Data center setback of 300 feet. 
• Data Center vegetative buffer of 250-foot 
• Where a building exceeds 60 feet in height the minimum setback would increase to 500 feet from the property line of Mosaic subdivision 
• A building that exceeds 80 feet in height is prohibited 
• A 200’ setback and buffer for transmission substation 
• Noise Restrictions - Where adjacent to residentially zoned property, noise cannot exceed 55dBA and 65dBC. (construction noise and generator testing are excluded)
• Construction activity restriction between 7pm and 7am
• Restrict road access through local subdivision roads

The properties south of Oriole Landing Lane are across from West Creek Business Park therefore the standards that are already in existence for West Creek Business Park would apply. Those requirements include:

• A 100- foot buffer along Hockett Road.
• Dark sky compliant lighting
• Architectural design standards
• Landscaping requirements and a minimum of 30% of any developed parcel must be in open space.
• Screening of mechanical and electrical equipment, refuse areas. loading/unloading areas, and screening of outside storage of company owned and operated vehicles is required from roads and adjacent properties.  

For properties north of Oriole Landing Lane, across from the Technology Overlay District but not West Creek Business Park, requirements for a Technology Overlay District development include:

• A 100-foot buffer along Hockett Road
• A conceptual master plan must be provided.
• A minimum of 20% of the master plan must be in open space
• Dark sky compliant lighting
• Architectural and signage requirements.
• Fencing of improvements on a property must be internal to the required buffers
• Screening of mechanical and electrical equipment, refuse areas. loading/unloading areas, outdoor storage, public utility facilities, and truck and trailer parking required from roads and adjacent properties.  

The standards that are already in existence for West Creek Business Park would apply. Those requirements include:

• A 100- foot buffer along Hockett Road 
• Dark sky compliant lighting 
• Architectural design standards
• Landscaping requirements and a minimum of 30% of any developed parcel must be in open space. 
• Screening of mechanical and electrical equipment, refuse areas. loading/unloading areas, and screening of outside storage of company owned and operated vehicles is required from roads and adjacent properties 

If a user in West Creek wanted to take advantage of the financial incentives available in the Technology Zone or have a building higher than 60’ adjacent to residential, without going through the conditional use permit process, they would be subject to the proposed general Technology Overlay District regulations such as: 

• A 200-foot buffer when a Technology Overlay District use is adjacent to an agriculturally zoned property that is not part of a Technology Overlay District conceptual master plan, except that a transmission substation would have a 100- foot buffer 
• Data center would require a 250’ buffer and setback
• A building that exceeds 80 feet in height is prohibited

Proposed standards for the Technology Overlay District: 

• A 100-foot buffer along Three Chopt Road and a 200-foot buffer adjacent to Bellview Gardens
• Data center setback of 500 feet with a 250’ vegetative buffer; however 300’ setback would be allowed through a conditional use permit
• Data Center vegetative buffer of 250-foot
• Where a building exceeds 60 feet in height the minimum setback would increase to 500 feet from the property line of Bellview Gardens subdivision
• A building that exceeds 80 feet in height is prohibited 
• A 200’ setback and buffer for transmission substation
• Noise Restrictions - Where adjacent to residentially zoned property, noise cannot exceed 55dBA and 65dBC. (construction noise and generator testing are excluded) 
• Construction activity restriction between 7pm and 7am 
• Restrict road access through local subdivision roads
• A conceptual master plan must be provided
• A minimum of 20% of the master plan must be in open space
• Architectural and signage requirements
• Dark sky compliant lighting
• Fencing of improvements on a property must be internal to the required buffers
• Adjacent to residentially zoned property such as Bellview Gardens, noise cannot exceed 65 dB between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., and 60 dB between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. (construction noise and generator testing are excluded)
• Screening of mechanical and electrical equipment, refuse areas. loading/unloading areas, outdoor storage, public utility facilities, and truck and trailer parking required from roads and adjacent properties.  

Proposed standards for the Technology Overlay District:

• A 200-foot buffer when a Technology Overlay District use is adjacent to an agriculturally zoned property that is not part of a Technology Overlay District conceptual master plan, except that a public utility facility would have a 100-foot buffer
• Where a building exceeds 60 feet in height the minimum setback would increase to 500 feet from the property line 
• A building that exceeds 80 feet in height is prohibited
• A conceptual master plan must be provided
• A minimum of 20% of the conceptual master plan must be in open space
• Architectural and signage requirements
• Dark sky compliant lighting
• Fencing of improvements on a property must be internal to the required buffers
• Adjacent to a residentially or mixed-use zoned property, noise cannot exceed 65 dB between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., and 60 dB between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. (construction noise and generator testing are excluded)
• Screening of mechanical and electrical equipment, refuse areas. loading/unloading areas, outdoor storage, public utility facilities, and truck and trailer parking required from roads and adjacent properties.  

Goochland considers these uses to be important to the stability of the overall electrical grid and provides an opportunity for the future diversification of economic development within the county.  Allowing these uses positions Goochland well for future, potential energy needs across the Commonwealth.  Locations for energy generation would only be allowed in specific areas of the proposed TOD. Note: the Planning Commission has recommended that energy generation facilities require a conditional use permit instead of being allowed by-right.

Goochland evaluated areas that could be appropriate for utility generating station and determined that the use should only be placed in areas that are separated from residential and should be located in areas that have existing heavy industrial uses. Therefore, the following standards are required: 

• Only located where the comprehensive plan designates property as Flexible or Industrial
• No station can be located within 1,500 feet of any residentially-zoned property, a mixed-use development with residential uses, or the county boundary line.
• The station and related improvements must be set back from adjacent property and public roads a minimum of 300 feet
• There must be a 300-foot buffer landscaped in compliance with Sec. 15-449.B.4 and no parking, drives, use, structure, or building may be located within 10 feet of the buffer landscaping.

Note: the Planning Commission has recommended that energy generation facilities require a conditional use permit instead of being allowed by-right.

Goochland evaluated areas that could be appropriate for energy storage and determined that the use should only be placed in areas that are separated from residential and should be located in areas to lessen the visual impact. Energy storage would only be allowed in selected areas of the proposed TOD. Therefore, the following standards are required: 

• facility is a minimum of 1,500 feet from residentially-zoned property or the county boundary line;  
• facility is within a quarter (1/4) mile of I-64 or Rte. 288;   
• a siting agreement with the county is provided; 
• facility utilizes solid state battery systems, or facility utilizes a lithium ion battery system not exceeding 20 megawatts in storage capacity; and 
• no more than 2 percent of total TOD area is occupied by energy storage facilities.  
• Facilities not compliant with above may be approved through a conditional use permit 

All facilities in the Technology Overlay District must meet the County’s zoning requirements, including the 55dBA and 65 dBC noise standards and other safeguards. If a business is out of compliance, the County follows a step-by-step enforcement process: 

• First, the County works with the business to fix the issue quickly.
• If the problem continues, the County can issue formal violations and require corrective action.
• As a last resort, the County can take the business to Circuit Court, which has the power to stop work until the violation is corrected.

This process is already used for other zoning violations in Goochland, and it will apply equally to TOD uses. 

The current zoning for West Creek, adopted in 1987, already allows data centers and advanced manufacturing facilities by right, without additional zoning approvals. The ordinance could be amended by the Board of Supervisors to remove data centers from the Industrial zoning district. However, Goochland must consider all property owner rights, including the existing rights of West Creek. The Technology Overlay District adds new standards, such as buffers, setbacks, and noise limits, that are not part of the 1987 zoning, giving the County stronger tools to protect nearby residents if landowners choose to develop under the TOD regulations.

West Creek was rezoned in 1987, long before the Technology Overlay District was proposed. That rezoning included its own proffers and restrictive covenants, which already set standards for design, landscaping, and buffers. Because of that, some of the TOD’s requirements overlap with what West Creek already has in place. 

The TOD does not take away West Creek’s existing rights—it adds extra protections if landowners develop under the TOD regulations. For example, without the TOD, West Creek properties could still develop under the 1987 zoning with fewer restrictions. By developing under the TOD regulations, they would have to follow new rules like noise limits, larger buffers, and setbacks, while also being eligible for Technology Zone incentives. 

The Technology Overlay District proposals are still in draft form. Nothing has been finalized. No final vote will occur until after the Board of Supervisors holds their public hearings where residents will have the opportunity to share their input directly. 

Community feedback has already shaped the proposals. Between the first and second drafts, the County added increased setbacks and buffers for data center use adjacent to residential zoned property, increased setback based on height, further restricted generator testing hours, required noise study more frequently, and held an additional community meeting in response to what residents raised. In addition, the Planning Commission made recommendations to the Board based on feedback they heard at their public hearings. The Planning Commission recommended: 

• Changing energy generating facility from by-right to a conditional use permit, both for primary and accessory uses.
• Increasing the setback to 500-feet for data centers in the areas of the Technology Overlay District with current base zoning of A2, and require conditional use permit approval for locating closer in those areas.
• Limiting the by-right maximum building height to 80’ for structures located adjacent to residentially zoned property.
• Reducing the decibel limits lower than currently proposed 65 dB in the day and 60 at night.

In response to citizen concerns and Planning Commission recommendation, staff has made changes from the 9/18/25 Planning Commission version of the proposed Technology Overlay District ordinance to:

• update the map to remove parcels who have opted out of the Technology Overlay District and to designate the properties with base A-2 zoning, generally south and west of West Creek Business Park as “TOD West”. Hatching was added to these properties to differentiate them from other TOD parcels,
• require a conditional use permit for data centers for the properties designated as “TOD West”, 
• change utility generating station (SMR and peaking plants) from a by-right use in certain locations to a conditional use permit for all areas, applicable to all utility stations, whether primary or accessory uses, 
• increase setbacks for data centers for properties with base zoning of A-2 adjacent to residential, 
• increase setbacks for transmission substation adjacent to residential or agricultural zoned properties, 
• limit to 80’ the height of structures adjacent to residential properties, and agricultural zoned properties that are not part of TOD regulations, 
• further regulate noise by lowering the noise standard to 55 dBA and establishing a new limit of 65 dBC measured at the property line,
• prohibit generators from running outside of testing and emergencies, 
• require that a generator testing schedule be published on a dedicated webpage, 
• mandate that generators minimize noise using at least one of these options: acoustic walls, enclosed generators, locating generators on side of building away from residential uses (using the building as sound screen), berms in the setback, or by generator type, 
• limit construction hours, 
• prohibit road access through residential zoned property, and 
• require use of public water

The ordinance is not final until the Board votes on November 6, 2025

Some uses are proposed as “by-right” to make Goochland more competitive in attracting high-revenue businesses. A by-right use can proceed if it meets all zoning and development standards, without needing a separate local zoning approval process. This gives businesses predictability and helps the County attract investment. All uses will still have to meet applicable local, state, and federal regulations.  

At the same time, the proposed Technology Overlay District sets strict conditions on by-right uses, such as noise limits, buffers, setbacks, and design standards, that do not exist today in some areas like West Creek. In other words, while the use may be by-right, it comes with more restrictions than current zoning allows. Note: the Planning Commission has recommended that energy generation facilities require a conditional use permit instead of being allowed by-right. 

The draft Technology Overlay District does not authorize or approve the construction or installation of a small modular reactor (SMR).  If a company ever proposed an SMR, it would go through extensive federal and state review and public process by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and other agencies. These reviews cover safety, water supply, seismic activity, and emergency planning. Goochland has no authority over those processes. Note: the Planning Commission has recommended that energy generation facilities require a conditional use permit instead of being allowed by-right. NOTE: the proposed changes moves Utility Generating Station to a conditional use permit.

Safety, waste management, and water supply for any nuclear facility are regulated by federal and state agencies, not Goochland County. If an SMR were ever proposed, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) would oversee design, operation, and safety requirements, including any potential evacuation planning. Fuel for SMRs is transported off-site for disposal, so waste would not remain in the community. Water use would also be reviewed by the NRC and Virginia DEQ to ensure adequate supply and safety. Note: the Planning Commission has recommended that energy generation facilities require a conditional use permit instead of being allowed by-right. NOTE: the proposed changes moves Utility Generating Station to a conditional use permit.

Utility connections and upgrades needed for a specific project are the responsibility of the private developer, not Goochland County residents. For example, if a data center requires additional water or sewer capacity, those costs are covered by the business that builds the facility. Electricity costs and rates are set by Dominion Energy and regulated by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), not by the County.

Air quality from generators is regulated by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These agencies set limits on emissions like particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides. Any facility in Goochland would be required to meet those state and federal standards. 

Yes, the 900+ acres is being considered for inclusion with usage for data centers permitted only upon approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Under this proposal, no data centers would be permitted in this area of the TOD by right. With this proposal, other technology usages would be allowed under the conditions set forth by the TOD.

Since the last community meeting, town hall meetings, planning commission meetings, and neighborhood meetings, the County has been made aware of discussions between a private developer and several landowners regarding a contract for a potential data center project on approximately 900+ acres near Mosaic and Richmond Country Club along Hockett Road (TOD West). This information was shared with the County after those private discussions had already taken place. 

Goochland County has not been involved in or a party to any negotiations or contracts related to this property. However, the County recognizes that this reflects growing private sector interest in Goochland as a location for technology-related investment. Any future project on that property would still have to follow all County zoning rules, Technology Overlay District standards, and public review steps before it could be approved.

A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) means that uses can locate only if they are subject to full community engagement which includes: 

• a community meeting, 
• a public hearing before the Planning Commission, and
• a public hearing before the Board of Supervisors.

Also, a conditional use permit provides more control over the development than a rezoning; in a rezoning, the applicant decides what conditions to offer, but in a conditional use permit, conditions can be created and imposed on the development by the Board of Supervisors.

The following uses are proposed as a conditional use permit in the TOD: 

• Data center - for the TOD West area as shown on the hatched area on the TOD map 
• Utility generating station (Small modular nuclear reactor facility, Peaking plant, natural gas) - throughout the TOD

With the current proposal, these uses will not be allowed by right. Any proposed usage would go through the public, conditional use permit (CUP) process. A Conditional Use Permit means that uses can locate only if they are subject to full community engagement which includes:

• a community meeting, 
• a public hearing before the Planning Commission, and 
• a public hearing before the Board of Supervisors.

Also, a conditional use permit provides more control over the development than a rezoning; in a rezoning, the applicant decides what conditions to offer, but in a conditional use permit, conditions can be created and imposed on the development by the Board of Supervisors.

A convenience fee is required by the vendor for credit and debit card use, the fee is passed on to the end user. If the County were to pay this fee it would essentially lower your tax rate. To avoid paying a fee, other payment options are available - check, cash, money order. You can always pay through your bank’s bill pay for electronic payments. 

Vehicles are assessed based on the JD Power value. If you believe your assessment is in error due to the condition of the vehicle, please contact the office.

Real estate assessments are based on the typical selling price of comparable properties and reflect the actions of buyers and sellers in the local market. The Assessor’s Office is responsible for reviewing market transactions and using the data to assess each property accordingly. Each year staff analyzes real estate transfers, of which the majority are residential properties. Additionally, transactions for previous years are examined. Sales information is gathered from recorded deeds, buyers, sellers, real estate professionals, and the selling prices are compared to the assessed values to determine an assessment/sales ratio. Three valuation approaches, i.e., sales comparison, cost, or income are considered. Typically, the sales comparison approach is chosen for residential properties. Comparable sales information is used as a basis for the assessment of individual properties after the transactions are carefully analyzed to consider differences in size, quality, condition, location, and other amenities. 

Due to the limited number of local commercial property transactions, regional and national information must be collected for analysis. In addition to replacement cost data and market data, commercial properties are selected for reassessment based on potential rental income, occupancy levels, and investor demand.

Regarding parcel splits/merges and new construction

Land is assessed at the acreage amount as of January 1st per state code §58.1-3201. Any changes after January 1st, will be reflected in the following year's assessment. New construction is prorated based on fit for use or certificate of occupancy determined by Building Inspection or Assessor’s Office.

The assessment ratio is set by state code  §58.1-3290 and §58.1-3281, must be assessed at 100% fair market value. 

Assessment notices are mailed out the business day closest to January 15th. 

You can also view your assessment online through the Parcel Viewer. Assessment information is updated on the Parcel Viewer by January 15th. 

Appeals must be made by February 15th. Appeals can be made by contacting the office via phone 804-556-5853 no later than 5:00pm on February 15th or via mail post marked by February 15th. 

As part of your informal appeal request, staff will come out to review the property. Once their review is complete, a results letter will be sent to the property owner. If not satisfied, the applicant has 30 days from the results letter date to request an appeal to the Board of Equalization. 

New features such as new roof, new floors, pool, attached garage, generator, anything that changes the condition of the property with or without a building permit. 

In 2024, the County executed an early prepayment of $18 million of bonds to move toward its goal of retiring TCSD's debt in advance of its final maturity in 2042. 

The revalidation period is open September 1 - November 1, or until December 5^th with a $25 late fee. t. If this form is not received in the Assessor’s Office by December 5^th, the parcel will be removed from the program and will cause the property to be taxed at its fair market value for the following tax year and subsequent tax years.  The owner of such property may submit a new application for the following year. First time applicants or new property owners must apply by November 1^st and pay a $25 Application fee.

Forestry (20 acres excluding 1 acre home site), Agriculture (5 ac in production excluding home site), Horticulture (5 ac in production excluding home site). 

Due March 1st. The year of the vehicle dictates the mileage requirement. This must be updated annually until the vehicle is 20 years old. Proof must be received January 1st of the year through the filing deadline. List of proof and sliding scale is available on the website. The discount received for high mileage is also on a sliding scale. You can also apply for this within 30 days of purchasing a vehicle or moving into the county. 

March 1st. You must be 65 or older prior to January 1st and meet income and asset requirements.  This program must be applied for every three years, with recertification every year. To qualify, you must be on 100% disability with income and asset requirements. This only applies to real estate - will not apply to any ad valorem taxes. 

There is no deadlines for Veterans, however you must have a 100% service-related disability. This only applies to real estate - will not apply to any ad valorem taxes. 

March 1st. Must show proof that the vehicle is equipped for a physically handicapped individual. Just because you have a handicapped placard does not mean you will qualify for this program. 

Business License is due March 1^st, or within 30 days of opening. Business equipment forms which are due May 1st. 

Notify DMV within 30 days. Reminder: A bill of sale should be notarized. Until the person who purchased the vehicle registers it with DMV, it will still be under your name.

Notify DMV within 30 days that the vehicle is gone. If DMV is not notified it WILL stay on your tax records until the salvage is recorded by DMV. 

Notify DMV within 30 days of your move. It is recommended to surrender your plates to the DMV office to be removed from the Virginia tax rolls. 

You should notify DMV for any of the following:

• Move to another jurisdiction or state
• When you sell your vehicle
• When you buy a new vehicle
• When you scrap a vehicle

You can do this via the online portal, via the main DMV phone at 804-497-7100, the local office Goochland DMV office at 804-657-2018, or by visiting an office in person.

You will still be taxed even if you don't renew your business license.  Until the Commissioner of Revenue’s office is notified, you will receive a statutory assessment for amount of taxes owed. To close out your business, you must notify Commissioner of Revenue’s office with last operating year's gross receipts. They can be notified via email, phone, or in person. 

Lifetime Dog License is $10 and can be purchased at any time. Dogs must be 4 months old. Must have valid rabies certificate.