How should I display my street address at my residence?
Albemarle County has several regulations regarding the proper display of addresses that help ensure that street addresses are prominent and visible to passing vehicles, particularly emergency service vehicles:

• Address numbers should be displayed at the primary access entrance on a mailbox, fence post or other suitable location that is easily visible from the road.
• The address number should be displayed as numerals and not spelled out
• The numerals (4" tall, minimum 1/2" stroke) displayed should be at least three inches in height on a contrasting background.
• Numbers should be properly maintained by the property owner to make sure that they remain readable from the road.

What are the setbacks for my property?
Setbacks are based on how the parcel is zoned and can require interpretation. To find the setbacks for a property, you will need to know both the zoning district and the parcel ID (tax map/parcel number) or street address. Determine the zoning of your property through the County GIS. Setback information based on the zoning can be found in the Zoning Ordinance.

Locate the setback for residential buildings.

Learn more about setbacks for commercial and industrial zoning here.

For further assistance, please visit our Property Inquiry page. 

Can I add a second dwelling to my parcel without subdividing?
All Rural Areas zoned parcels need an available theoretical development to add a second dwelling to the parcel. Read about development rights here. For additional assistance, please visit our Property Inquiry page. 

Can I have a business in my home?
Learn more about home occupations.

Can my property be used as a wedding venue?
Special events like weddings, receptions, and other events-space rentals are only permitted on Rural Areas zoned parcels with an approved Special Use Permit, or at bona fide farm wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Review the process for applying for a Special Use Permit and learn more about farm wineries, breweries, and distilleries.

How do I find out about transportation projects?
To find out about transportation projects, email our Transportation Planner at akplun@albemarle.org.

How do I find out if a parcel has development rights?
Read about development rights or pick up a free copy of "A Citizen's Guide to Development Rights" in our office. You can also receive an informal, non-legally binding, assessment of your development rights by submitting your inquiry through Civic Access CLICK HERE. If you require a more formal determination of theoretical divisions rights, you may submit a Request for an Official Letter of Determination and applicable fee to the department.

How do I get a zoning clearance for my business?
Learn more about qualifying and applying for zoning clearances.

Is there a bus system in the County?
Learn more about our bus system on our Transportation page.

What is the current homestay (e.g. Airbnb, VRBO, Charlottesville Guesthouses, StayCharlottesville) rules in Albemarle County?
Read our regulations and learn more about Homestays.

Who is responsible for maintaining roads, including snow removal, in Albemarle County?
Unlike some jurisdictions who maintain their own roads, Albemarle County's roads are maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). VDOT also has a Hotline, (800) FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623), and a myVDOT website that you can call to report road hazards or receive information on road conditions around the state. Learn more about transportation here.

Can a parcel be rezoned?
The Albemarle County Comprehensive Plan and its accompanying master plans are the guiding document used by staff in evaluating any rezoning request. The first step involves a Pre-Application Meeting with staff. For additional assistance in getting started with this, schedule a Pre-Application meeting.

What building code requirements apply to my home renovation project?
To find what code requirements apply to your home renovation project, please view our Building Code.

How do I report a zoning violation?
The Department of Community Development offers three ways you can report this violation:

• You can file your complaint using the County’s Online Complaint Form. The process for handling your complaint is addressed on that web page. It is our goal for staff to contact you within 3 days of receipt of your complaint. Should you not hear back, please call the department main number at 434-296-5832 and choose “0” for the receptionist.
• You can call the County’s Complaint Hotline (available 24/7) at 434-296-5834 and follow the prompts.
• You may stop by Community Development (County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, North Wing) to make a complaint in person during normal business hours of 8am to 5pm

How do I report a traffic issue, like parking concerns, sidewalk connectivity, or safety concerns with consistent speeding in your neighborhood?
To report a traffic issue, email our Transportation Planner, Alberic Karina-Plun.

To report a public road maintenance or operations request visit VDOT’s online form or call 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).

What can be done on my property or on other properties in the County?
The Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance outlines the by-right uses and the uses that require a special use permit.  The uses of a property will depend on the Zoning designation adopted on the Zoning Map. The Zoning Division has also created a Permitted Uses Chart.  Please note that it is updated as soon as possible when changes occur, but please be aware that it is not the Zoning Code, only a tool help with quick reference of uses.

Where can I find the Zoning Map?
The Zoning Map is part of our GIS/Web application.  To view the Zoning Map you will need to click on the "Maps" link to the left of the map and choose the "Zoning" Theme in the Maps Themes drop-down. The official Zoning Map can be found HERE.

Can I subdivide my property?
For assistance with subdividing your property, please visit our Property Inquiry page.

Can my parcel be subdivided as a Family Subdivision?
Once you have determined that you can subdivide, you will need to submit a Family Subdivision Application. Some notable requirements for the application include the following:

• A plat showing the proposed division that has been drawn up by a certified surveyor. This surveyor should verify that the new property has a building site for a new house and that the road serving the property is adequate. If a new driveway is proposed on a public road, a permit from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) must be obtained and their approval must be submitted with the plat.
• The properties must also be "perked" by a soil specialist to make sure you can safely discharge a septic system on the property, and the completed soils report must be submitted with the family subdivision application.
• A notarized Affidavit verifying the family relationship as required by the subdivision ordinance.
  Please note that as a family division, property can only be granted in direct lineage, from parents or grandparents to children or grandchildren or vice versa. Property cannot be conveyed to a sibling or cousin through a Family Subdivision. Additionally, the recipient of the property may not have received any other property through family subdivision from the same owner.
• Land divided in a family subdivision must have been owned by the person subdividing for at least 4 years. The new parcel and the residue parcel may not be sold for 4 years following the conveyance of the property.
• The property created must comply with the other applicable zoning regulations, such as minimum lot size or required road frontage etc.
• All other subdivision requirements as outlined in the application must be met.

If you have additional questions, please visit our Property Inquiry page. 

Does Community Development have the original building plans used for my house?
Building plans are only kept for 3 years after the Certificate of Occupancy has been issued. For assistance with this email our Records Manager at pbjornsen@albemarle.org.

How do I find out about a development proposal under review that I am interested in?
All development applications are tracked in the Civic Access portal.

How do I find out if a parcel has development rights?
Read about development rights or pick up a free copy of "A Citizen's Guide to Development Rights" in our office. You can also receive an informal, non-legally binding, assessment of your development rights by submitting your inquiry through Civic Access CLICK HERE. If you require a more formal determination of theoretical divisions rights, you may submit a Request for an Official Letter of Determination and applicable fee to the department.

How do I find out if the existing apartment in a house is legal?
For assistance with this please submit your inquiry through Civic Access CLICK HERE.

How do I find out if there are any open/outstanding zoning, building or fire code violations on a property?
To find out if there are any open/outstanding violations on a property, email our Records Manager at pbjornsen@albemarle.org.

How do I get a copy of an approved development plan (site plan, subdivision)?
You can view recently approved plans in the County View Application Tracking system. If you the plan you are seeking is not available or if you would like a hard copy, you can contact our Records Manager at pbjornsen@albemarle.org for assistance.

I am interested in developing a parcel. How do I get started?
If you are not familiar with the application process, Community Development offers "Pre-Application Meetings" to potential applicants to address your specific questions/concerns about your property or the application process. These meetings are no cost to you and are scheduled every Monday afternoon.

Read about requesting a Pre-application meeting.

I would like to move a property line. How do I do that?
Moving a property line requires a subdivision plat application for a Boundary Line Adjustment (BLA). If you need further assistance, please submit your inquiry through Civic Access CLICK HERE.

I would like to speak with someone regarding the land use taxation on my property?
The land use taxation program is handled by the County Assessor.

Is my parcel in a conservation easement?
For assistance with conservation easement, please submit your inquiry through Civic Access CLICK HERE.

Is this parcel zoned to allow my business?
To find out if a parcel is zoned to allow your business, please submit your inquiry through Civic Access CLICK HERE. 

What are the code requirements to install a “tiny house” on my property?
The County does not regulate “tiny houses” different from any other single family dwelling. A tiny house must meet all regulations that apply to any single family dwelling and cannot be on wheels (mobile). For further assistance, please submit your inquiry through Civic Access CLICK HERE.

Our homeowner’s association need to remove trees in common space. How do we get permission to do this?
If the trees are shown on the approved site or subdivision plan, an approved amendment to that plan is required. For further assistance, please submit your inquiry through Civic Access CLICK HERE. 

What are the setbacks for my property?
Setbacks are based on how the parcel is zoned and can require interpretation. To find the setbacks for a property, you will need to know both the zoning district and the parcel ID (tax map/parcel number) or street address. Determine the zoning of your property through the County GIS. Setback information based on the zoning can be found in the Zoning Ordinance. Locate the setback for residential buildings. Learn more about setbacks for commercial and industrial zoning here.  For further assistance, please submit your inquiry through Civic Access CLICK HERE. 

What is the status of my building permit?
View and track the status of your building permit with our County View Application Tracking system.

I am doing a marketing research on apartment communities under review/construction. How do I find that data?
View data about developments in the County in our Development Dashboard. The dashboard provides information regarding active developments in Albemarle County.

I saw a County sign on a property near me. What was that sign for?
Public notice signs are posted for upcoming public hearings on properties that require certain kinds of approval or review by the Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors, or Board of Zoning Appeals, like Special Use Permits, Zoning Map Amendments, Variances, and Appeals. Find out what the sign you saw was for in our Public Notice Database.

When are you open?
Monday - Friday, 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

Where is the office for Community Development located?
The Office for Community Development is located in the Albemarle County Office Building at 401 McIntire Road North Wing, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22902.