Environmental Management

Inspections:

 Inspection Portal

Permitting:

Powhatan County requires that a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) be obtained prior to a Land Disturbing Activity impacting 10,000 square feet or more of land. "Land Disturbing Activity" means any manmade change to the land surface that may result in soil erosion from water or wind and the movement of sediments into state waters or onto lands in the Commonwealth, including, but not limited to, clearing, grading, excavating, transporting, and filling of land.

Land Disturbing Activities that exceed an Acre or more in size will require additional permitting from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Additionally, if streams, lakes or wetlands are present, DEQ will require mitigation credits be purchased prior to land disturbance. 

Depending upon the location and nature of the project, the Corp of Engineers, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Department of Forestry (DOF) and Powhatan County's Public Works, may require permits or impose development restrictions.

Exemptions:

Commercial – Maintenace on Existing Erosion & Stormwater Control Facilites

Maintenance on stormwater basins, outlets/inlets, conveyances channels, ditches, culverts, dikes, check dams, curb/gutters, etc... are all exempt from needing a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) so long as the maintenance of such facilities does not disturb over 10,000 square feet of land at once.

Residential – Single Family & Accessory Dwelling Construction

When obtaining a building permit for a dwelling, property owners may submit an “Agreement in Lieu of a Plan” this form grants an exemption from needing a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) so long as the property owner agrees in writing to meet the standards set forth by the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Law and that the area of land disturbance is less than 1 acre. 

Residential – Minor Land Disturbing Activities

Home gardens, landscaping, structural repairs, installation and maintenance of septic tanks, drainage fields, service connections, utility lines and poles, fences and signposts are all exempt from needing a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP).

Agricultural – Crop & Livestock Production

Tilling, planting, or harvesting of agricultural or horticultural crops and livestock feedlot operations are exempt from needing a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP).

Agricultural – Forestry Harvesting

Harvesting of forest crops is exempt from needing a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) so long as the area on which harvesting occurs is reforested artificially or naturally or is converted to a bona fide agricultural or livestock pasture. 

*Please contact the Virginia Department of Forestry for additional details and restrictions.

Agricultural – Engineered Structures

Terraces, terrace outlets, check dams, desilting basins, dikes, ponds, ditches, strip cropping, lister furrowing, contour cultivating, contour furrowing, land drainage, and land irrigation are all exempt from needing a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) so long as structures are constructed in conjunction with a bona fide agricultural operation.

Nonexempted:

Commercial – Construction & Development

All new or expansion of existing commercial development that exceeds 10,000 square feet in size must apply for a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) and be approved by Powhatan County prior to the beginning of any Land Disturbance Activities or construction.

Residential – Subdivision Construction & Development

All new or expansion of existing residential subdivision development that exceeds 10,000 square feet in size must apply for a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) and be approved by Powhatan County prior to the beginning of any Land Disturbance Activities or construction.