The Zoning Division of Stafford County enforces zoning violations per Chapter 28 of the Zoning Ordinance in the Stafford County Code, along with selected nuisance violations to the code in accordance with the State Code of Virginia in order to protect the character, health, and welfare of the residents of Stafford County.  Primarily, violation inspections are complaint driven and can be done so by online submittal to Stafford Citizens Assistance.  You can also contact Planning and Zoning at (540) 658-8668 and ask for the Zoning Official of the day.  If the Zoning Official is unavailable, please leave a message with the address in question and a brief description of what the possible violation may be, along with your contact information.

Zoning Violations

Zoning violations are derived from Chapter 28 of the Zoning Ordinance.  The Zoning Ordinance is a permissive code which is the framework for what your uses are as long as you stay in those standards.  Sometimes it can be misconstrued when the ordinance is read, for example, In a zoning district when it states a use permitted by-right are uses in that zoning district without special consideration.  One example is a home business, although it is a use by-right, it still requires permits.  REMEMBER, almost any use or improvement to a property requires some type of permit.  Other types of zoning violations can be conditional use permits (the need for one or not adhering to the standards of the permit), outdoor storage, setbacks, permits for structures, occupancy permits, height restrictions on fences, District Overlays, illegal junkyards, screening, and site plan requirements.  As stated above, uses and standards are just some of the Ordinances in Chapter 28.  We encourage you to call the Zoning Division anytime concerning questions about your home or business.  

Nuisance Violations

Nuisance violations come from the Stafford County Code, Chapter 24, Sections 16 through 18 and 20 pertain to weeds, grass, and bamboo; Chapter 21, Solid Waste, Article I. - in General, Sections 7 and 8, Article IV - Accumulations on Private Property, Sections 51 through 59.2, and Chapter 15, Article IV - Nuisance Inoperable Motor Vehicles on Residential, Commercial, or Agricultural Property, Sections 101 through 104.  These selected codes are under the authority of the Zoning Department.  All other sections of these chapters are under authority of those listed in those sections.  For complaints and/or information on these codes, contact the Zoning Department.