Final Site Plans

A final Site Plan is required for any construction, use, change in use, or other development in all zoning districts. However, certain development activities are exempt from this requirement.

• Single-family or two-family dwelling construction, or accessory structure construction
• Agricultural activity
• Permitted use of a temporary nature
• Deposit and contouring of fill unless the Director of Development and Permits or Public Utilities determines a plan is required
• Expansion of a use on an existing site unless:
  • The sale or storage of gasoline on hazardous material is involved as part of the use
  • The Zoning Administrator or designee determines that such change or expansion gives rise to the need for additional parking or off-street loading under the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance
  • In the case of an expansion, the expansion exceeds twenty-five (25)% of the gross floor area of the existing building or of the area occupied by the use
  • The Director of Development and Permits or designee requires additional ingress/egress, change in ingress / egress or additional public improvements because of the nature in the use
  • Additional ingress/egress or alteration of existing ingress/egress is proposed
  • The Director of Public Utilities or designee requires the extension of utility service or modification of existing service to support the change in or expansion of the use

Submit to:

Via Electronic Delivery (Review Only):

• Use eBUILD Chesapeake. If you do not have an account, visit the registration page.

Via Delivery (Approval Only-Submit 5 Paper Copies):

• Development Engineering
  Development and Permits
  City Hall Building, 3rd Floor
  306 Cedar Road
  Chesapeake, Virginia 23322

For questions, contact the Department of Development and Permits at 757-382-6101.

• Submitted plans are routed to each department.
• The review of each application by the affected departments and final approval of each application shall be coordinated through the Department of Development and Permits. Each plan shall be reviewed for conformity with the approved preliminary plan (if applicable), and with all other applicable provisions of the relevant ordinances, regulations, and policies applicable to the site.
• If plan meets all relevant requirements, Development Engineering will issue an approval letter. If any department finds the plans deficient, Development Engineering will prepare a review letter detailing aspects of the plan that require revising prior to approval.

If the property is not served by public water or sewer: Contact the Health Department to find out about the requirements for onsite sewage and water services.

The developer is responsible for obtaining the appropriate clearances from:

• Virginia Department of Health
• Department of Environmental Quality

Improvements within any wetlands may require approval from:

• Army Corps of Engineers
• Department of Environmental Quality
• U.S. Coast Guard

The Public Facilities Manual (PFM) Volume I is the principal source for all criteria to be addressed in the Final Site Plan. Site Plans will be reviewed for conformity with the following:

• Approved preliminary plan with all stipulations and proffers.
• Public Facilities Manual (PFM) Volumes I, II, and III
• City Code (primarily the Zoning Ordinance).
• Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Criteria
• Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Policy
• Fire Code and Referenced Standards
• Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
  • American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
  • Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
• Landscape Ordinance (PDF)
• Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act (CBPA)

Plans can be submitted for review anytime. See Review Schedule (PDF) for department review timelines.

• Completed Submittal Package Checklist (PDF)
• Transmittal letter to include a narrative - a letter that explains the project. The letter must include a summary of the project parameters, offsite improvements, variances requested or previously granted, previous City Council or Planning Commission action, proffers, prior agreements, and any other items which will help determine the appropriate review action required for the project.
• Development Plan submittal shall be through eBUILD
• Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Sheet (PDF)
• Landscape Sheet (PDF)
• Water and Sewer Calculations - (2) sets
• Site Fire Protection Water Flow Calculations (fire flow plus sprinkler demand, if any) - (2) sets to include a current (within 6 months) available flow from Public Utilities.
• Drainage Calculations, including Drainage Narrative and Drainage Area Map - (2) sets
• Stormwater Management Calculations - (2) sets
• Pavement Design Calculations - (2) sets
• See Public Facilities Manual (PFM), Chapter 1, for additional submittal information.

• Obtain Permit Bond amount and appropriate paperwork from the Department of Development and Permits, Development Construction permits office via email or at 757-382-8298.
• Post Permit Bond.
• Obtain permits consistent with the plan approval. This may include Land Disturbing, Right of-Way or Stormwater Permits, or any combination thereof.

See Commercial Site Inspection.

See Commercial Building Permits.