Planning & Zoning

Our Mission

The mission of Dinwiddie County Planning and Zoning Department is to promote the county’s progressive vision through planned growth in Dinwiddie County by maintaining a comprehensive planning program which minimizes land use conflicts, coordinates the provision of community facilities and public services, and optimizes the quality of life for all county residents.

Department Activities & Functions

The Planning and Zoning Department manages the county’s Comprehensive Planning Program and coordinates the county’s development review process. The staff administers the County’s Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances, the Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance, Stormwater Management Ordinance, Flood Protection Ordinance, Street Naming and Addressing Code, Vegetation Code, and the Land Application of Biosolids Code.

Transportation planning is conducted through the Tri-Cities Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (Tri-Cities Area MPO) and the planning director serves on the Tri-Cities Area MPO Technical Committee and a Dinwiddie County Board of Supervisors member is appointed to represent the County on the Tri-Cities Area MPO Policy Committee.

The Planning and Zoning Department provides technical support to the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, and related subcommittees of each. Staff is responsible for processing and reviewing rezonings, conditional use permits, special exceptions, variances, site plans, and subdivisions.

Land Use

The Planning and Zoning Department's Land Development Committee (LDC) coordinates plan review of projects that require a range of agency approvals prior to approval of project site and construction plans.

The LDC agencies include the Planning and Zoning Department, Building Codes Department, Economic Development, Public Safety, Dinwiddie County Water Authority (DCWA), Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Virginia Department of Health, and other development related State and Federal agencies.

Zoning Administration

The Office of the Zoning Administrator is responsible for Zoning Interpretations, Zoning Enforcement, Building Permit Review and Project Review of Proposed Development Projects, maintenance of the Dinwiddie County Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance, administering the Flood Protection Ordinance, and staffing the Dinwiddie County Board of Zoning Appeals.