Erosion & Stormwater Management

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Effective July 1, 2024, the updated Erosion & Stormwater Management Ordinance of Fauquier County became effective. This ordinance is authorized by § 62.1-44.15:27 of the Code of Virginia.

The Department of Community Development administers the Erosion & Stormwater Management program required by state law. The purpose of this program is to ensure the general health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Fauquier County, protect the quality and quantity of state waters from the potential harm of unmanaged stormwater and soil erosion, including protection from a land disturbing activity causing unreasonable degradation of properties, water quality, stream channels, and other natural resources, and to establish procedures whereby stormwater requirements related to water quality and quantity shall be administered and enforced.

In accordance with Virginia Code § 15.2-2286(B) and Fauquier County Zoning Ordinance § 13-108, all delinquent real-estate taxes and other liens must be paid in full prior to issuance/approval of the permit.

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Land Disturbing Permit (LDP) Permitting Requirements

Type of Disturbance, Conversion or Development	Land Area Disturbed, Converted and/or Developed	Requirement Under Fauquier County Code Chapter 11
Single-Family Detached Residential Structure	Less than 10,000 SF	Exempt from the requirements of this chapter unless part of a larger common plan of development
	10,000 SF to 5 acres	LDP with an Agreement In Lieu of a Plan (See Section 11-51)
	5 acres or more	VESMP Authority/LDP Permit Required (See Section 11-53)
Farm Building or Structure on a parcel (total impervious cover < 5%)	Less than 10,000 SF	Exempt from the requirements of this chapter unless part of a larger common plan of development
	Greater than 10,000 SF	LDP with an Agreement In Lieu of a Plan (See Section 11-51)
Agricultural Activity not meeting Section 11-5.2 below or total impervious cover >5%	Less than 10,000 SF	Exempt from the requirements of this chapter unless part of a larger common plan of development
	10,000 SF to 1 acre	LDP Required (See Section 11-52)
	More than 1 acre	VESMP Authority/LDP Permit Required (See Section 11-53)
All Other Types of Activity	Less than 10,000 SF	Exempt from the requirements of this chapter unless part of a larger common plan of development
	10,000 SF up to 1 acre of disturbance AND less than 10,000 SF of conversion to impervious surface	LDP required (See Section 11-52)
	More than 1 acre of disturbance OR more than 10,000 SF of conversion to impervious surface	VESMP Authority/LDP Permit Required (See Section 11-53)