Virginia Development Fees
Virginia is one of the few states that does not authorize broad municipal or county impact fees. Development costs are set instead through case-by-case proffers, locality-adopted application fee schedules, and utility availability charges - which makes a published-schedule lookup site like ZoneFee a different research tool than it is for Texas or other impact-fee states.
Coverage last updated: 2026-07-09. 23 Virginia jurisdictions live on ZoneFee.
Live Virginia Jurisdictions
How Development Fees Work in Virginia
Virginia is a Dillon Rule state: counties, cities, and towns may levy only those fees expressly authorized by the General Assembly. The legislature has not granted general statutory impact fee authority comparable to Texas Local Government Code Chapter 395 or Florida's local impact fee statutes. Most Virginia localities therefore cannot impose impact fees on new development as a condition of approval.
The mechanism most Virginia counties use to capture infrastructure cost from new development is the voluntary proffer system under Va. Code Section 15.2-2303. A proffer is a written commitment a developer makes during a rezoning or special exception application: cash, land dedication, or specific design or use restriction. Proffers are not posted as a schedule. They are negotiated case by case during the discretionary approval process and recorded in the rezoning ordinance for that specific property. As a result, "Virginia impact fees" in a published-schedule sense largely do not exist.
Virginia localities also charge administrative application fees for rezoning, special exception, special use permit, zoning modification, variance, site plan, subdivision, and zoning permit reviews. These are authorized under the Virginia planning and zoning enabling statutes (Va. Code Title 15.2, Chapter 22 for counties and Chapter 22 for cities and towns). They are typically published in the locality's zoning ordinance appendix or in a Board of Supervisors fee resolution, and they cover the cost of staff review rather than infrastructure capacity.
Finally, water and wastewater service for new development is provided by either the county utility department, an independent authority (such as Loudoun Water for Loudoun County), or a regional system (such as the Hampton Roads Sanitation District). These utilities charge availability charges for new connections - structurally similar to one-time tap fees in other states - and ongoing volumetric and base service charges for occupied properties. Availability charges are published by each utility in its rate schedule.
Virginia Statutory Anchors
- Va. Code Section 15.2-2303 - Conditional zoning; voluntary proffers. Authorizes the proffer system used in lieu of statutory impact fees. (law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/15.2-2303)
- Va. Code Section 15.2-2241 - Subdivision ordinances; mandatory provisions. Authorizes locality-adopted subdivision regulation and associated review fees. (law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/15.2-2241)
- Va. Code Section 15.2-2286 - Permitted provisions in zoning ordinances. Authorizes locality-adopted zoning ordinance provisions including application and permit fees. (law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/15.2-2286)
- Va. Code Section 15.2-2317 - Road Impact Fees, Applicability (Article 8). Limits statutory road-impact-fee authority to localities with adopted zoning that meet population and growth thresholds (population at least 20,000 with growth at least 5%, or growth of at least 15%). Does not extend to most localities. (law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/15.2-2317)
- Va. Code Section 15.2-2303.2 - Proffered cash payments and expenditures. Governs the time-bound use of voluntarily proffered cash payments and the annual cash-proffer reporting framework administered through the Commission on Local Government. Useful for researching proffer activity by county. (law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/15.2-2303.2)
Coverage Detail by Jurisdiction
| Jurisdiction | Type | Region | Fee Types Covered | Last Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loudoun County | County | Northern Virginia (Dulles Tech Corridor) | Zoning application fees, land development fees, Loudoun Water availability charges, proffer framework | 2026-04-27 |
| Fairfax County | County | Northern Virginia (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria MSA) | LDS Appendix Q Section II.A Site Plan Review Fees and Section I Building Development Fees (Phase 2 effective July 1, 2025; Code Chapter 61 base fee $135; Technology Surcharge 10%; Code Academy levy 2%); voluntary cash-proffer framework per Va. Code 15.2-2303 (case-specific). Fairfax Water connection charges administered separately | 2026-05-06 |
| Prince William County | County | Northern Virginia (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria MSA) | Planning Office FY2026 Rezoning and Proffer Amendment Fee Schedule (effective July 1, 2025; Base Rate plus Per-Acre Rate by zoning district across A-1, R-2 through R-30, PMR, MXD, RPC, B-1 through B-3, O-, M-1, M-2, M/T, PBD, PMD); voluntary cash-proffer framework per Va. Code 15.2-2303. PWCSA water/sewer connection administered separately | 2026-05-06 |
| Chesterfield County | County | Richmond MSA (south-central Virginia) | Utilities Department FY2026 + FY2027 connection-side rates (water/wastewater capital recovery, meter, service line); Section 19.2-49 zoning fee partial (zoning letter, family day care CU, personal dog keeping SE, recreational vehicle CU); Cash Proffer Policy adopted (per-unit calculation deferred). Va. Code 15.2-2317 road impact fees do not apply | 2026-05-08 |
| Henrico County | County | Richmond MSA (Greater Richmond, east and north of the city) | Planning Applications Fee Schedule (rezoning, provisional use, subdivision, site plan) and Chapter 6 Section 6-3 building permit fees; DPU water and sewer connection fees (Chapter 23, Article IV); voluntary cash-proffer framework per Va. Code 15.2-2298. Statutory impact fees (Va. Code 15.2-2317) not administered; special-district fees not administered | 2026-07-03 |
| City of Alexandria | Independent City | Northern Virginia / Inner Beltway (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria MSA) | Department of Planning and Zoning FY2026 Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2025 (SUP, DSUP/DSP, Rezoning, Subdivision, BZA, BAR, CDD Concept Plan). Va. Code 15.2-2317 road impact fees and Va. Code 15.2-2303.4 per-unit cash proffers do not apply (independent-city / inner-Beltway doctrine). Water tap and wastewater connection fees administered by Virginia American Water Company and Alexandria Renew Enterprises (separately) | 2026-05-09 |
| Arlington County | County | Northern Virginia / Inner Beltway (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria MSA) | FY2026 CPHD Planning and Zoning Fee Schedule effective July 19, 2025 (Rezoning by district, Site Plan, Use Permit Type I/II/III, BZA, GLUP Amendment, Subdivision, building permit zoning review); FY2026 DES Consolidated Development-Related Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2025 (water/sewer Service Connection by service size, Infrastructure Availability per DFU, drainage fixture inspections); 10% Automation Enhancement Fee applies. Va. Code 15.2-2317 road impact fees and Va. Code 15.2-2303.4 per-unit cash proffers do not apply | 2026-05-09 |
| City of Richmond | Independent City | Richmond MSA (central Virginia) | DPU Connection Charges schedule (rev 07-01-2024) effective July 1, 2024 (Combined Water+Wastewater, Water-Only, Wastewater-Only, Fireline-Only by meter size 5/8 inch through 8 inch; City Code Sec. 28-394 + Sec. 28-592); PDR Permits Fee Schedule (rev 07-01-2024) covering building permit by construction value, demolition, BZA appeal, Code Modification, Certificate of Occupancy, re-inspection; SUP continuance $250. Va. Code 15.2-2317 road impact fees and Va. Code 15.2-2303.4 per-unit cash proffers do not apply. Rezoning, SUP base, CUP base, Subdivision base fees codified in City Code Chapter 30 (Municode AngularJS; unavailable via published sources at last verification) | 2026-05-13 |
| Albemarle County | County | Charlottesville MSA / Central VA Piedmont (surrounds independent City of Charlottesville) | Community Development Fees current operative schedule (CMS last-published May 6, 2026): building (SF tiered by floor area $500-$4,000; commercial $0.24/sf to 5,000 sf then $0.17/sf); subdivision (3+ lots $1,300; family/2-lot $815); site development plan ($1,775 initial/final/major); SUP all-other $2,365; ZMA full $2,960 + Proffer Amendment $505 base (VA Code 15.2-2303); BZA Variance/SUP $590; VESMP tiered by disturbed area $240-$7,835; ARB Major Board $1,185; floodplain/LOMA $355; 4% Technology Surcharge. ACSA administers W/S tap fees separately | 2026-05-14 |
| James City County | County | Hampton Roads / Williamsburg metro (Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News VA-NC MSA) | Code of the County Appendix A Fee Schedule for Development Related Permits (Municode supplement Mar. 19, 2026): building permit $52.50 min + $0.1365/sf; electrical/mechanical/plumbing trade schedule; plan review $21/1,000 sf; erosion and stormwater management fees by acreage and class; subdivision and site plan tiers; rezoning $1,260 + $78.75/acre; Special Use Permit, BZA, variance, wetlands, Chesapeake Bay fees. JCSA water/sewer System Facilities Fees ($3,219 water + $3,583 sewer at 5/8" through $370,185/$412,045 at 10") + Local Facilities Fee $1,436/$1,818 per ERC. Impact fees not administered (not a CTB high-growth locality); proffers unavailable via published sources; special-district fees not administered | 2026-05-30 |
| Hanover County | County | Richmond metro northern fringe (Richmond VA MSA) | Building Inspector's Permit and Inspection Fee Schedule (Board Resolution eff. Sep. 12, 2025): new 1-2 family dwelling $525; all-other $99.75 + $5.25/$1,000 over $15,000; electrical/mechanical/plumbing trade schedule. Zoning and Subdivision Fee Schedule (rev. Aug. 2024): rezoning $1,500 + $75/acre; CUP $1,500 + $75/acre; site plan $1,000-$1,100 base; subdivision and variance fees. Department of Public Utilities Capacity Fees FY26 (eff. Jul. 1, 2025): $16,250 combined at 5/8"-3/4" through $245,263 combined at 3". Impact fees not administered (not a CTB high-growth locality); proffers unavailable via published sources; special-district fees not administered | 2026-05-30 |
| Chesapeake | City | Hampton Roads (independent city); Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News VA-NC MSA | Planning, plan review, and building permit fees (eff. 2026-02-18): rezoning $930 + $100/acre; CUP application $850; preliminary site plan $930 + $100/acre; preliminary subdivision $930 + $100/acre; subdivision ordinance variance $580; ESA Phase I $1,600 / Phase II $2,300; plan review residential new $100; commercial new $25 per 1,000 sq ft (max $500); building permit $50 admin + $10 per 100 sq ft; 2% state levy. Water and sewer connection fees (Municode Ch 78, eff. 2022-07-01): water city-funded 5/8-inch $3,697; sewer city-funded 5/8-inch $3,519 (combined $7,216 per connection), scaling by meter size with developer-funded tiers; meter installation $150-$500. Impact fees not administered; cash proffers no mandatory schedule published; special-district no independent developer fee. | 2026-06-25 |
| Norfolk | City | Hampton Roads (independent city); Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News VA-NC MSA | Zoning and building fees (eff. 2024-07-01): rezoning / conditional rezoning $1,375; zoning text amendment $915; CUP $1,080; BZA variance or appeal $270; site plan major $785 / minor $95; building permit residential $0.15/sq ft, commercial $0.16/sq ft; 2% state surcharge. Water and sewer connection (eff. 2025-07-01): water connection 5/8-inch $525 scaling to 10-inch $10,000; meter charges; sewer to existing lateral $250; HRSD regional facility charge 5/8-inch $2,540 scaling up. Proffers voluntary under VA Code 15.2-2303 (no fixed schedule; references the $1,375 conditional rezoning fee). Impact fees not administered (not a high-growth locality); special-district not administered. | 2026-06-25 |
| Newport News | City | Hampton Roads / Virginia Peninsula (independent city); Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News VA-NC MSA | Zoning and building fees (current through Ord. No. 8154-26, March 24, 2026): building permit minimum $55; rezoning / PD $650 base + $150/acre (total max $15,650); CUP $800; tiered plan review. Water and sewer charges: water System Development Fee 5/8-inch $2,520 scaling by meter size; service installation $1,700-$1,900; sewer connection $4,319 + $1,725; sewer SDF $429-$864 per unit. Proffers voluntary (VA Code 15.2-2303). Impact fees not administered (high-growth threshold not met); special-district not administered. | 2026-06-25 |
| York County | County | Hampton Roads / Virginia Peninsula; Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News VA-NC MSA | Building permit fees (eff. 2025-07-01, Ord. 25-9(R)): new residential $0.17/sq ft (min $90); new commercial $0.15/sq ft (first 30,000) / $0.13 above; rezoning / PD $750 + $20/acre over 5 (max $5,000); SUP $500-$750; tiered plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits. Sewer connection fees (eff. 2023-10-17, Ord. No. 23-14): 5/8-inch $3,700 / $8,625 scaling to 2-inch; vacuum and grinder lot surcharge $2,500/lot. Water administered by Newport News Waterworks (separate regional authority). Impact fees not administered; proffers unavailable via official sources; special-district not administered (Marquis CDA is bond-issuing only). | 2026-06-25 |
| Virginia Beach | Independent city | Hampton Roads (Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News VA-NC MSA); largest city in Virginia | Permits and Inspections Commercial + Residential Building Permit Fees (rev. Jul-2025, eff. Jul. 1, 2025): commercial $50 + $8/100 sf, residential $50 + $7/100 sf heated, alterations $50 + $5/$1,000; plan review $25-$200; CofO $75. Development Services Center schedule (rev. Aug-2025): site plan review $1,000-$7,560 by land-disturbing area; subdivision plat $336-$1,188+; minor site plan $84; land-disturbing/stormwater $75. Conditional Use Permit $1,090. Department of Public Utilities codified Water Capital Recovery Fee (Sec. 37-7.1) $2,900 at 5/8" through $333,543 at 10" + Sewer Capital Recovery Fee (Sec. 28-4.1) $2,521 through $289,872; multiple-family 70%/unit; Ord. No. 3737 eff. Jul. 1, 2023. Impact fees not administered (eligible but no ordinance adopted); proffers unavailable via published sources; special-district fees not administered | 2026-06-01 |
| Frederick County | County | Northern Shenandoah Valley / Winchester metro (Winchester VA-WV MSA) | Development Review Fees schedule (Revised 03/08/2023): rezoning $5,000-$10,000 base + $100/acre; residential site plan $3,500 base + $300/unit; non-residential site plan $2,500 base + $200/acre; minor site plan $500; subdivision design plans and plats; master development plan $3,000 base; CUP $750; variance $400; BZA appeal $250; TDR program; Chapter 161 septic; administrative tower and short-term-lodging fees. Impact fees not administered (not a CTB high-growth locality); utility tap fees administered by Frederick Water (separate authority); proffers unavailable via published sources (Development Impact Model, negotiated case by case); special-district fees not administered (Shawneeland and Lake Holiday are tax-levy sanitary districts) | 2026-06-01 |
| Spotsylvania County | County | Central Virginia / Fredericksburg metro (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria MSA; I-95 corridor south of Fredericksburg) | Fee Schedule (Land Use & Building), eff. Jul. 1, 2025: rezoning $14,000 + $75/disturbed acre over 10 AC; SUP (new development) $7,125; SUP (no new development / with rezoning) $4,500; minor site plan $2,000; infrastructure plan $2,000 + $60/acre over 5 AC; preliminary plat $1,905 (50 lots or less) / $3,310 (51+); record/final plat $2,115-$4,130; building $0.57/sq ft GBA ($285 min). Water availability fee (Ord. 22-39, Sec. 22-67) $5,700 (5/8"x3/4") to $337,400 (6") eff. Jul. 1, 2025; water connection fee (Sec. 22-68) $2,950-$3,970. Impact fees not administered (not a CTB-designated locality under VA Code 15.2-2317); proffers negotiated per rezoning under VA Code 15.2-2303 (no standing schedule); special-district fees not administered (no CDA/SSD/BID schedule) | 2026-06-08 |
| Stafford County | County | Northern Virginia / I-95 corridor (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV MSA) | Road impact fees under VA Code 15.2-2317 (Ch. 13.5, eff. Jul. 1, 2025; residential $5,137.80/DU North Service Area, $4,055.10/DU South; retail up to $10,854 per 1,000 SF); Development Services Fee Schedule (eff. Nov. 1, 2024) major site plan base $5,600 + reviews, minor site plan $2,080, special exception $600 (res) / $1,375 (comm), 2.75% technology surcharge; water availability $6,900/EDU and wastewater availability $3,500/EDU; voluntary cash proffers negotiated per rezoning (VA Code 15.2-2303, no fixed schedule). Special-district fees not administered; rezoning/CUP per-application amounts a documented capture gap | 2026-06-25 |
| Suffolk | Independent city | Hampton Roads / Western Tidewater (Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA); borders Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Franklin, Isle of Wight and Southampton counties, and Gates County NC | Zoning and land development fees (City Fee Schedule FY2025-2026, eff. Jul. 1, 2025): standard rezoning $840 + $42/acre, conditional rezoning $1,050 + $42/acre, conditional use permit $840 + $21/acre, site plan review $630 + $63/acre, preliminary subdivision $100/lot ($500 min), comprehensive plan amendment $150. City-operated water and sewer connection fees: city-installed water connection $2,000 (5/8"-3/4") to $3,000 (2"), developer-installed water/sewer $50 each, commercial water availability $5,520 to $269,500 (6"). Voluntary conditional-rezoning proffers (VA Code 15.2-2298 / 15.2-2303.4, no fixed per-unit schedule). Impact fees not administered (no VA Code 15.2-2317 program); special-district fees not administered (Stormwater Utility Fee is recurring) | 2026-06-27 |
| Fauquier County | County | Northern Virginia outer Piedmont (Rappahannock-Rapidan / PD 9), Warrenton county seat; outer suburban fringe of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV MSA | Zoning and land development fees (Land Development Fee Schedule, eff. Jul. 1, 2025): zoning permit $100, rezoning to RA/RC $550, rezoning to standard districts $3,000 + $150/acre, planned districts $5,000 + $150/acre, special exception $3,000 base, major site plan $5,000 + $400/disturbed acre, preliminary plat $2,500-$2,900 + per lot. Building permit fees (eff. Jul. 1, 2025): residential new construction $0.18/sq ft ($200 min), commercial $0.22/sq ft first 5,000 sq ft, CO $50. Voluntary cash-and-in-kind proffers (VA Code 15.2-2298 / 15.2-2303.4, sworn affidavit required, no fixed schedule). 10% technology surcharge + 2% state levy on all transactions. Impact fees not administered (no VA Code 15.2-2317 program); water/sewer tap fees set by the separate Fauquier County Water and Sanitation Authority (FCWSA); Marshall special district is an annual tax levy, not a development fee | 2026-06-26 |
| Charlottesville | Independent city | Central Virginia / Blue Ridge (US-29 and I-64 corridor; University of Virginia); fully surrounded by Albemarle County | Zoning, site plan, subdivision, and building fees (combined NDS/Public Works Fee Schedule, updated Mar. 23, 2026): zoning map amendment (rezoning) $2,000/hearing + notice, special use permit $1,800, special exception $1,800, zoning text/comp plan amendment $840, development plan review $400, final site plan major $1,800 + $20/unit + $20/100 SF commercial / minor $800, subdivision plat preliminary $500 + $20/lot / final $1,330 + $20/lot, BZA appeal/variance $100/$250, E&S plan $500 + $125/acre, building permit $75 min + Base Rate + 2% state levy. City-operated water and sewer connection fees: Water Facility Fee $3,100 (5/8") to $248,000 (6") + Meter Set $325+, Sewer Facility Fee $5,350 to $428,000 per ERC, reduced 25% for affordable/low-income housing. Impact fees not administered (no VA Code 15.2-2317 program; facility fees are utility capacity charges); proffers voluntary written conditions (VA Code 15.2-2303, no fixed schedule); special-district fees not administered | 2026-07-09 |
| Roanoke | Independent city | Roanoke Valley / Southwest Virginia (Blue Ridge, I-81 / US-220 corridor); core of the Roanoke, VA MSA; borders Roanoke County, Salem, and Vinton | Zoning, subdivision, site plan, and building fees (City Planning/Building/Development consolidated Fees page, verified Jul. 8, 2026): zoning amendment/rezoning $1,000 + $500 advertisement, special exception $100 + $250, variance $190 + $250, appeal $250 + $250, zoning verification $150, subdivision plat minor $150 / major $220 + $50/lot, subdivision site plan $500 + $50/disturbed acre, building permit $50 + $6.57 per additional $1,000 valuation, certificate of occupancy $50 permanent / $150 temporary. Water and sewer connection fees administered by the separate Western Virginia Water Authority (WVWA), not the City. Impact fees not administered (no VA Code 15.2-2317 program); proffers negotiated per rezoning (VA Code 15.2-2303, no fixed schedule); special-district fees not administered | 2026-07-08 |
What This Coverage Includes
ZoneFee currently has 13 Virginia jurisdictions live: Loudoun County, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Chesterfield County, the City of Alexandria, the City of Richmond, Albemarle County, James City County (Hampton Roads / Williamsburg metro), Hanover County (Richmond metro northern fringe), the City of Virginia Beach (Hampton Roads; largest city in Virginia), Frederick County (Northern Shenandoah Valley / Winchester metro), and Spotsylvania County (Fredericksburg metro, on the I-95 corridor). Each record is published under ZoneFee's Partial-Verified Publication Standard with at least one development-fee family confirmed verbatim from an official primary source. Loudoun County covers zoning application fees from the Loudoun Zoning Ordinance Appendix B (rezoning ZMAP/ZRES, special exception SPEX/SPMI, ZCPA/ZRAM, ZMOD/ZRMD, ZCOR, variance ZVAR) and Loudoun Water availability charges effective January 1, 2026. Arlington County covers the FY2026 CPHD Planning and Zoning Fee Schedule (Site Plan, Rezoning, Use Permit, BZA) and the FY2026 DES Consolidated Development-Related Fee Schedule (water/sewer Service Connection, Infrastructure Availability). Fairfax County covers the LDS Appendix Q Phase 2 (effective 2025-07-01) zoning + building permit base + per-square-foot rates, plus the Va. Code 15.2-2303 voluntary proffer framework. Prince William County covers the Planning Office FY2026 Rezoning / Proffer Amendment Fee Schedule (effective 2025-07-01) with verbatim Base Rate plus per-acre rate by zoning district. Chesterfield County covers rezoning, conditional use, zoning permits, and utility tap fees from chesterfield.gov resources. The City of Alexandria covers zoning application fees including SUP and variance amounts. Albemarle County (Charlottesville Metro) covers the Community Development Fees current operative schedule including SF Residential building tiered by floor area, subdivision, site development plans, VESMP tiered by disturbed area, Architectural Review Board, Special Use Permits, Zoning Map Amendment including ZMA proffer amendments under VA Code 15.2-2303, and a 4% Technology Surcharge. Each jurisdiction page documents that Virginia counties and cities operate under the voluntary proffer system rather than under TLGC Chapter 395-style statutory impact fees.
Researching Virginia Fees: What to Expect
Looking up Virginia development fees works differently than in impact-fee states. For each Virginia jurisdiction, expect to consult three separate document types: the locality's zoning ordinance appendix or Board of Supervisors fee resolution (for application and permit fees), the cash proffer policy or recent rezoning cases (for proffer expectations - which require examining individual approved rezonings rather than a posted schedule), and the water/wastewater authority's rate schedule (for availability charges and utility connection costs). ZoneFee jurisdiction pages bring these together into one record for each covered jurisdiction, with verbatim source quotes and direct links to the underlying .gov documents.
Virginia Development Fees - Frequently Asked Questions
Does Virginia allow impact fees?
Most Virginia localities cannot levy general statutory impact fees. Virginia is one of the few states that does not authorize broad municipal or county impact fee authority comparable to Texas Local Government Code Chapter 395. The legislature has granted limited road-impact-fee authority that applies only to localities meeting population and growth thresholds under Va. Code Section 15.2-2317 (Article 8, Road Impact Fees - Applicability), but the more common mechanism is the voluntary proffer system under Va. Code Section 15.2-2303.
What is a Virginia proffer?
A proffer is a written, voluntary commitment made by a developer to a Virginia locality during a rezoning or other discretionary land use approval. Proffers can be cash payments, dedications of land, or specific design or use commitments. Because they are tied to a specific rezoning case rather than a published schedule, proffer amounts vary materially by jurisdiction, project type, and timing. Virginia proffers are governed by Va. Code Section 15.2-2303 and related sections.
What development fees do Virginia counties typically charge directly?
Virginia counties typically charge fees for rezoning applications, special exceptions, special use permits, zoning modifications, variances, site plans, subdivisions, plat reviews, and zoning permits. These are administrative review fees authorized under Virginia's planning and zoning enabling statutes, not impact fees. Counties also charge plan review and inspection fees through their building departments. Water and wastewater authorities (often separate public utilities) charge availability charges for new connections that function similarly to one-time tap fees in other states.
Are Virginia development fees published in a single statewide schedule?
No. Virginia does not publish a statewide development fee schedule. Each county, city, and town maintains its own fee schedule, typically within its zoning ordinance Appendix or a separately adopted Board of Supervisors fee resolution. Water and wastewater availability charges are published by the utility serving each jurisdiction, which may be a county department, an independent authority such as Loudoun Water, or a regional system.
How do Virginia development fees differ from Maryland or DC?
Maryland authorizes broader impact fee programs at the county level under state enabling acts (e.g., Charles County, Anne Arundel County). The District of Columbia uses Planned Unit Development negotiated proffers similar in spirit to Virginia proffers, but applies them within a single municipal jurisdiction rather than across counties. Virginia's reliance on case-by-case proffers means cross-jurisdiction fee comparisons in Virginia require examining individual rezoning cases rather than reading a posted schedule.
Where does ZoneFee source Virginia fee data?
ZoneFee sources Virginia fee data from official county and city websites (loudoun.gov and equivalent), zoning ordinance appendices retrieved as PDFs, water and wastewater authority rate schedules (e.g., loudounwater.org), and the Virginia Code via the Virginia Legislative Information System at law.lis.virginia.gov. We do not source fee data from third-party aggregators, news articles, or AI summaries. See the methodology page for the full source hierarchy.
What Virginia Coverage Is Not Yet on ZoneFee
Virginia coverage is expanding. The 11 jurisdictions named above are currently live; additional Northern Virginia, Greater Richmond, Charlottesville Metro, and Hampton Roads jurisdictions are queued in our expansion plan but have not yet reached ZoneFee's verification standard. We do not list pending jurisdiction names on this page; transparency on what is and is not yet covered lives on the ZoneFee coverage page. If your project is in a Virginia jurisdiction we have not yet covered, the locality's own zoning office, planning department, or water authority remains the binding source for current fees.
Virginia Sources Used on This Page
- Virginia Code Title 15.2 Chapter 22 - Planning, Subdivision of Land and Zoning. Accessed 2026-04-27.
- Va. Code Section 15.2-2303 - Conditional zoning; voluntary proffers. Accessed 2026-04-27.
- Va. Code Section 15.2-2317 - Road Impact Fees, Applicability (Article 8). Accessed 2026-05-09.
- Va. Code Section 15.2-2303.2 - Proffered cash payments and expenditures. Accessed 2026-05-09.
State-level framework last reviewed: 2026-04-27. Live jurisdiction records last verified: Loudoun County 2026-04-27; Arlington County 2026-05-09; Fairfax County 2026-05-06; Prince William County 2026-05-06; Chesterfield County 2026-05-09; City of Alexandria 2026-05-09. For the full ZoneFee coverage list, see the ZoneFee coverage page.