This is a required meeting to review a concept plan for a proposed development. It must occur prior to the submission of a major site plan or major subdivision plat and in advance of any public hearings for rezoning or special use permit applications.

Attendees of this meeting include staff from Community Development (Planning and Environmental) and, where applicable, representatives from the Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Health, Bedford Regional Water Authority, Sheriff’s Office, and Fire & Rescue.

• Complete the application online through the Citizen's Self Service portal.
• Upload concept plan and any available supporting documentation (traffic narrative, wastewater characterization study, etc.)
• Fee: No fee
• View the Technical Review Committee (TRC) Schedule

Family Subdivision 

Development review process for creating a single division of a lot or parcel for the purpose of sale or gift to a member of the immediate family of the property owner. Only one (1) such division is allowed per family member. To qualify, the immediate family member must be any person, at least 18 years of age, who is a naturally or legally defined offspring, spouse, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew of the property owner. Lots created under the family subdivision shall be titled in the name of the recipient for a period of not less than five (5) years.

• Complete the application online through Citizen's Self Service.
• Upload required files, at a minimum the plat prepared by a professional engineer, or land surveyor.
• If served by private septic, also complete and upload Application for Subdivision Review – VDH
• If served by private well and/or septic, mail or deliver one (1) hard copy of the subdivision plat to the Department of Community Development, 122 East Main Street, Suite 106, Bedford, VA 24523 ATTN: Andrea Maddox.
• A Family Affidavit signed by the grantor(s) and grantee(s) identifying the receiving family member and their relationship to the grantor.
• Fee:$150 + $10 per new lot (including residual parcels).

Agricultural Subdivision

Development review process for creating new lots or boundary line adjustments (BLA) in agricultural zones (AP, AR, and AV) where lots are at least twenty (20) acres in size, no new streets are proposed and have direct access to a public road over a road of record existing October 1, 1989. These lots must be undeveloped (no structures and not being served by public water/sewer, or private utilities such as septic systems or wells).

• Complete the application online through Citizen's Self Service.
• Upload required files, at a minimum the plat prepared by a professional engineer, or land surveyor.
• Fee:$150 + $10 per new lot (including residual parcels).

Minor Subdivision

Development review process for creating five (5) or fewer new lots or adjusting boundary lines (BLA) where no new lots or streets are being proposed.

• Complete the application online through Citizen's Self Service.
• Upload required files, at a minimum the plat prepared by a professional engineer, or land surveyor.
• If served by private septic, also complete and upload Application for Subdivision Review – VDH
• If served by private well and/or septic, mail or deliver one (1) hard copy of the subdivision plat to the Department of Community Development, 122 East Main Street, Suite 106, Bedford, VA 24523 ATTN: Andrea Maddox.
• Fee: $150 + $10 per new lot (including residual parcels).

Major Subdivision

Development review process for creating 6 or more lots (cumulative or individually) and/or one or more new public street(s) are being proposed.

• Submit a TRC application before a major subdivision application through Citizens Self Service.
• Complete the application online through Citizens Self Service.
• Upload required files, at a minimum the plat prepared by a professional engineer, or land surveyor.
• If served by private well and/or septic, also complete and upload Application for Subdivision Review – VDH.
• If served by private septic, mail or deliver one (1) hard copy of the subdivision plat to the Department of Community Development, 122 East Main Street, Suite 106, Bedford, VA 24523 ATTN: Andrea Maddox.
• Fee: $150 + $10 per new lot (including residual parcels).

Preliminary Plan

Development review process required for subdivisions with 50 or more lots. Preliminary plans are optional for subdivisions with fewer than 50 lots.

• Contact the Department of Community Development to set up a pre-submission conference.
• Complete the application online through Citizen's Self Service.
• If served by private well and/or septic, also complete and upload Application for Subdivision Review – VDH
• If served by private well and/or septic, mail or deliver one (1) hard copy of the subdivision plat to the Department of Community Development, 122 East Main Street, Suite 106, Bedford, VA 24523 ATTN: Andrea Maddox.
• Fee: $150
• Please note that the first review comments for a Preliminary Plan will be reviewed at a TRC meeting that occurs at least 30 days after submittal.

Minor Site Development Plan

Required for any use or structures not requiring a major site plan (as determined from Sec. 30-90 of the Zoning Ordinance), and additions or modifications to structures or uses limited to less than 1,500 square feet increase in the area (one time or cumulative).

• Complete the application online through Citizens Self Service.
• Upload required files.
  • A sketch, at a minimum, showing proposed improvements, and all other requirements as determined by outside agencies and planning staff. View our site plan checklist.
• Fee: No fee

Major Site Development Plan

Required for all new development in every zoning district, (except for single-family and two-family dwelling units on individual lots, and agricultural uses that are not “Sawmill” and “Livestock Market” uses); all uses approved as special use permits; the conversion of any single-family or two-family dwelling unit to any other use or a higher-intensity residential use, or the conversion of any existing building or property to a different use category (e.g., commercial to industrial or commercial to offices); additions or modification resulting in an increase of 1,500 square feet or greater in the area of the site (one time or cumulative).

• Submit a TRC application online before a major site plan application through Citizen's Self Service
• Complete the application online through Citizen's Self Service.
• Upload required files/drawings prepared by a professional engineer, architect or land surveyor, as well as any additional items requested from agencies as directed at TRC.

• If served by private well and/or septic, mail or deliver one (1) hard copy of the full site plan set to the Department of Community Development, 122 East Main Street, Suite 106, Bedford, VA 24523 ATTN: Andrea Maddox.
• Fee: $300 + $10 per acre disturbed
• $25 re-review fee as applicable.

A request to change the zoning classification of a property from an existing district(s) to a different district(s) is requested to develop or use the land for purposes other than what is permitted by the current zoning classification (e.g., AP to R-1, R-2 to AR, etc.)

• Contact the Department of Community Development to set up a pre-submission conference.
• Complete the application online through Citizen's Self Service.
• Upload required files, at a minimum the application shall include the following:

  o     Concept Plan

  o     Rezoning Justification

  o     Proffered conditions in writing, signed by the applicant if proposed.

  o     Owner’s authority letter (if the developer is not the owner)

  o     Traffic Impact Analysis

• Fee:$300 + $5/acre + cost of required public hearing notifications & legal ads
• Submit a TRC application request through Citizens Self Service.

To view a map with parcels that have been rezoned (with or without voluntary proffers), go to the County Rezoning Viewer

A request to establish certain uses in a district, per the permitted use table in Sec. 30-79 of the Zoning Ordinance, which may be approved with conditions to make use compatible with surrounding properties and land uses.

• Contact the Department of Community Development to set up a pre-submission conference.
• Complete the application online through Citizen's Self Service.
• Upload required files; at a minimum the application shall include the following:
  • Concept Plan
  • Special Use Justification
• Fee: $300 + cost of required public hearing notifications & legal ads
• Submit a TRC application through Citizen's Self Service.

Zoning Permits

Required permit for structures or uses not needing a building permit (less than 256 sqft). Not required for patios at grade, driveways, sidewalks, and fences.

• Complete the application online through Citizen's Self Service.
• Upload required files, at a minimum a sketch showing proposed improvements with setbacks from all property lines and the height of proposed structure (if applicable).

Short-Term Rental Registry (License)

Short-term rental operators that offer or provide a residential dwelling unit, or portion thereof, to guests for a period less than thirty (30) days in the AP, AR, AV, R-1, R-2, C1, C2, PCD, and PRD zoning districts (e.g., vacation rentals, Airbnb, VRBO) are required to register yearly with the County. Registration is not required for persons who are (i) licensed by the Real Estate Board or is a property owner who is represented by a real estate licensee; (ii) registered pursuant to the Virginia Real Estate Time-Share Act (§ 55.1-2200); (iii) licensed or registered with the Department of Health, related to the provision of room or space for lodging; or (iv) licensed or registered with the locality, related to the rental or management of real property, including licensed real estate professionals, hotels, motels, campgrounds, and bed and breakfast establishments. All Short-term rental operators must comply with Article V, Sec. 30-100-18 of the Zoning Ordinance.

For operators that are required to register:

• Complete the registration online through Citizen's Self Service. 
• Upload required files.
  • Management Plan that includes the floor plan of dwelling, a local point(s) of contact available to respond immediately to complaints (within 50 miles of property), garbage disposal, management of unruly tenants, number of permitted guests, parking information, location of fire extinguisher(s) and smoke detectors, utility contact information, and an advertisement plan (where you intend to advertise rental). 
• Registration Fee: $50
• Failure to Register fee: $500 
• The operator shall only offer the dwelling unit for rental once registration is approved.

Short-Term Rental Management Plan Review (Starting November 1, 2023)

All Short-term rental operators must comply with Article V, Sec. 30-100-18 of the Zoning Ordinance, including those not required to register through exemption. To verify compliance for non-registrants, the operator will need to file a short-term rental management plan for review and approval by:

• Submitting a management plan online through Citizen's Self Service. 
• Upload required files.
  • Management Plan that includes the floor plan of dwelling, local points of contact available to respond immediately to complaints (within 50 miles of property), garbage disposal, management of unruly tenants, number of permitted guests, parking information, location of fire extinguisher(s) and smoke detectors, utility contact information, and an advertisement plan (where you intend to advertise rental)
• No review fee 

Home Occupations Permits

Required permit for businesses operating out of a dwelling unit and/or an accessory building by the resident of the dwelling that does not utilize more than 50% of the finished floor area of the main dwelling for their business. Home occupations must be conducted in accordance with Article IV, Sec. 30-82-3 of the Zoning Ordinance.

• Complete the application online through Citizens Self Service.
• Upload applicable files. An owner’s authority letter is required if the applicant is not the homeowner.
• Fee: $50

 Domestic Chickens Permits

• Required permit in R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and PRD zoning districts for the keeping of chicken hens (no roosters allowed) for the opportunity to collect fresh eggs for personal household consumption. Domestic chickens must be conducted in accordance with Article IV Sec. 30-82-1.6 of the Zoning Ordinance.
• Complete the application online through Citizen's Self Service.
• Upload required files, at a minimum a sketch showing the proposed location and area. An owner's authority letter is required if the applicant is not the homeowner.
• Fee: No fee.

• Bedford County Zoning Ordinance
• Bedford County Subdivision Ordinance
• Bedford County Code of Ordinances - Chapter 7 - Environmental (Erosion and Stormwater Management Ordinance of Bedford County)
• Bedford County Code of Ordinances - Chapter 9 - Floodplain
• Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Program Regulations