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- Stormwater/Erosion and Sediment Control - County Code Chapter 143
- Property Owners’ Associations: § 144-32 and § 165-201.11
- County Code: http://ecode360.com/FR1364
Chapter 840 Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations: http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?000+reg+9VAC25-840
Chapter 870 Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) Regulations: http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?000+reg+9VAC25-870
Chapter 3.1 Article 2.3 Stormwater Management Act: http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title62.1/chapter3.1/article2.3/
Chapter 3.1 Article 2.4 Erosion and Sediment Control Law: http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title62.1/chapter3.1/article2.4/
- http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Portals/0/DEQ/ConnectwithDEQ/Training/ESC/RLD_FAQ.pdf
Please note that this program is administered by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and not through Frederick County. - The standard used by the State regulatory agency (The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation - Division of Dam Safety) to determine the volume of water that the spillway must be capable of handling was increased. In order to continue to operate the dam and maintain Lake Holiday, the spillway must be brought into compliance with the new standard.
- Funds had to be borrowed in order to pay for the required improvements to the dam’s spillway. Money collected from the tax being paid by Lake Holiday property owners will be used to repay the loan.
- The purpose of Pretrial Services is to assist Judicial Officers in discharging their duties. Such programs are intended to provide better information and services for use by Judicial Officers. The information helps in determining the risk to public safety and the assurance of appearance of persons age 18 or over or persons under the age of 18 who have been transferred for trial as adults held in custody and charged with an offense, other than an offense punishable by death, who are pending trial or hearing.
- At your intake, you will be asked to provide residence verification, employment verification and medical information. Please bring a recently received piece of mail with your name and address on it or your lease as your residence verification. If you are working, bring either a pay stub, employer's ID or a letter from your supervisor for employment verification. If you are taking any prescription medications, please bring all of them to your intake appointment.
- The goals are to assist Judicial Officers in making bail release decisions or in reviewing and amending the conditions of release on bail at subsequent hearings. In addition, Pretrial Services provide supervision of defendants placed in the custody of the program and assure compliance with the conditions of release imposed by Judicial Officers.
- If the Judicial Officer adds pretrial supervision to the bail, the Defendant must be supervised by ODCS Pretrial Services Agency. Supervision includes: assessment of risk, if not previously completed; the intake process; in-person office visits; if court ordered, drug and alcohol testings; and other ordered obligations. In addition, the Pretrial Officer attempts to connect the defendants with any needed resources, such as substance abuse treatment, mental health providers, job resources, etc. The Pretrial Officer may engage the defendant in structured conversations to increase court appearance and mitigate risk.
- Eligibility is in accordance with Virginia Code 19.2-303.3 and includes: Offenders 18 years old, or considered an adult at the time of conviction, of a misdemeanor or a non-violent felony for which the court may impose a jail sentence.
- Individuals are placed on local probation supervision and referred to ODCS by Judges in the General District, Juvenile Domestic Relations District, and Circuit Courts in the counties of Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah and Warren; and the City of Winchester as a sentencing option, and an alternative to incarceration.
- Good behavior, when ordered by the court, means that you will keep the peace and not violate municipal, county, state, or federal laws or ordinances.
- ODCS strives to do the right thing for our community and our clients. This means that we must sometimes strike a balance between convenience and safety. If Frederick County Government offices are closed, our offices are closed. However, some of our staff may have reported and may still be open for individual appointments. Please contact your officer directly for more information.
- Court ordered community service may include supervised probation, or it may not. It is important that if you signed a "Local Probation Referral" you have obligations to Old Dominion Court Services – Local Probation. You must report within 5 business days of your court date. Regardless if you are on supervised probation, if your community service is being facilitated by ODCS, you will complete an intake, be drug tested at your expense, and your criminal background will be reviewed. Failure to comply will result in the courts being notified.
- ODCS helps clients connect with the right level of services. If you are court ordered to undergo substance abuse screening or assessment, your probation officer will begin the process with you. Sometimes your officer can complete the process, and you will need no further services. Other times, (based on the assessment tools we use), you may need to meet with others. Regardless of the type or level of services you are involved in, you will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.
- ODCS welcomes volunteers and interns in our probation/pretrial departments. Your status and qualifications will guide us to what types of duties you might be eligible to participate in; keep in mind that any criminal history might preclude you from working with us. If interested, please contact the the Community Corrections Chief. (see our "Contact Us" ).
- Our Officers are Frederick County Employees. Any position vacancies (including administrative support positions) as well as minimum requirements can be found at the Frederick County Human Resources page.
Does Frederick County regulate discharges from sump pumps, downspouts, foundation drains, driveway culverts, etc.?
Private drainage systems (such as sump pumps, driveway culverts, downspouts, etc.), yard runoff and ground water are the property owner's responsibility. Drainage directed from gutters, downspouts or other private systems to neighboring properties is a civil matter between the property owners. Frederick County requires newly constructed homes to pass a final grading inspection upon completion of construction in order to insure that the new home drains properly and does not negatively impact adjoining properties. Frederick County is not responsible for ongoing maintenance of private drainage systems, however. Property owners who fail to maintain private drainage systems can be subject to legal action from neighboring property owners negatively affected by inadequate maintenance.- As defined in the Frederick County Code, “an easement established to maintain and protect a drainageway.” A drainage easement can also be created in an area traversed by a naturally occurring stream or other drainageway. Such an easement “shall substantially follow the line of such drainageway and shall be of sufficient width to preserve the natural drainage” as indicated in the Frederick County Code. Drainage easements are private property. They are typically intended to provide storm drainage for multiple lots. Nothing shall be placed or planted within the easement which will impede the flow of drainage.
- The property owners’ association is responsible for maintenance of all storm management facilities within a subdivision as indicated in the Frederick County Code. Enforcement of any covenants relating to drainage easements and maintenance of common areas within a subdivision are also the responsibility of the association. For properties not belonging to a property owners’ association, it is the individual property owners’ responsibility to maintain drainage in such a way as to not negatively impact neighboring properties or waterways. Property owners who fail to maintain drainage easements can be subject to legal action from neighboring property owners negatively affected by inadequate maintenance.
Disposition of wastewater from plumbing fixtures.
It shall be unlawful for any person to allow the wastewater from any sink, bathtub or any other plumbing fixtures of any nature to run or drain onto the surface of the ground. All such wastewater shall be discharged into a drain tile and stone ditch and pit, as directed by the Health Department.
Please note that the Lord Fairfax Health District regulates issues related to plumbing/sewage/septic discharges. The Frederick/Winchester Environmental Health Department may be reached at:
107 North Kent Street, Suite 201
Winchester, VA 22601
Phone: (540) 722-3480
Fax: (540) 722-34792012 Virginia Residential Code Chapter 4 – Foundations
https://codes.iccsafe.org/public/document/VRC2012/chapter-4-foundations
R401.3Drainage.
Surface drainage shall be diverted to a storm sewer conveyance or other approved point of collection that does not create a hazard to the dwelling unit. Lots shall be graded to drain surface water away from foundation walls. The grade shall fall a minimum of 6 inches (152 mm) within the first 10 feet (3048 mm).
Exception: Where lot lines, walls, slopes or other physical barriers prohibit 6 inches (152 mm) of fall within 10 feet (3048 mm), drains or swales shall be constructed to ensure drainage away from the structure. Impervious surfaces within 10 feet (3048 mm) of the building foundation shall be sloped a minimum of 2.0 percent away from the building.2012 Virginia Residential Code Chapter 33 - Storm Drainage
Information regarding subsoil drains and sump pumps:
https://codes.iccsafe.org/public/document/VRC2012/chapter-33-storm-drainage2012 VA Plumbing Code Plumbing Code Chapter 11 – Storm Drainage
Information regarding roof drainage and storm drainage materials:
https://codes.iccsafe.org/public/document/VPC2012/chapter-11-storm-drainageThe Parks and Recreation total FY 2015 budget request increased by $4,782,933 (93.6%). This increase includes the following capital requests:
- Replace field lights and poles on 8 park fields;
- Spray ground and slides for Clearbrook and Sherando Parks Pools;
- Trail at Rose Hill Park per lease agreement; and
- Sherando Park access road with parking and trails.
- Instructor: Kellee Walters
The following mini sessions will follow certain art periods and individuals who have left a mark on the art world. Participants will learn about the movement(s) and also mimic the work by creating their own piece. All supplies are included. Please bring water and smock.
For each session:
Fee: $33
Day(s): SU
Time: 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Location: GWMES - Always wanted to learn to play the guitar? Now is your chance! Let the skilled instructors from Blind Faith Guitar Shop set you on your road to creating music. This six-lesson course will cover the basics from strumming cords to playing songs to tuning you guitar. During the first class, students will be divided into groups based on experience. Students must provide their own guitar. Enrolled participants are eligible for a discount at Blind Faith Enterprises.
Fee: $45 per session
Activity #4002-B
Day(s): T
Date(s): 10/8-11/5
Time: 7-8 p.m.
Location: EVES - Instructor: Kellee Walters
In this class you will recreate objects from nature, including trees, flowers, and animals. Bring a smock.
Fee: $50, all supplies included
Activity #2211-J
Day(s): M
Date(s): 10/7-10/28
Time: 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Location: GWMES - Funds had to be borrowed in order to pay for the required improvements to the dam’s spillway. Money collected from the tax being paid by Lake Holiday property owners will be used to repay the loan.
- The standard used by the State regulatory agency (The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation - Division of Dam Safety) to determine the volume of water that the spillway must be capable of handling was increased. In order to continue to operate the dam and maintain Lake Holiday, the spillway must be brought into compliance with the new standard.
- The construction should be completed within 18 months of the start date. The project will not start before Labor Day of 2011.
- The Lake Holiday Board of Directors will determine what type of boat traffic will be permitted during the construction period.
- During the period of construction the lake level will be lowered 10 feet to enable work to be preformed on the spillway.
- The Lake Holiday Board of Directors will decide what to do with the Lake Holiday marina. Individual property owners will need to make appropriate arrangements to secure their private docks during the construction period.
- All registered Frederick County voters are eligible to vote absentee (Early Voting), either by mail or in-person.
Forty-five days before an Election, In-Person Early Voting starts. You must provide your ID to register and then will be given a ballot. After marking your ballot you will scan it into the voting machine. Voting will take place in the office of the General Registrar or in the Voting Center next to the Office of Elections, for county wide voting.
- The easiest way to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot is to go to the State's website: Elections.Virginia.gov. You may also request an Absentee Ballot Application by calling (540) 665-5660 or by email. After completing and signing the application (must have actual signature), you may mail it to the General Registrar at 343 Sunnyside Plaza Drive, Winchester, Va. 22603 or fax it to (540) 665-8976 or email it to fcvotes@co.frederick.va.us.
Your application must be received in the Registrar's office by 4;30 pm on the eleventh (11th) Day before the election, in order for a ballot to be mailed to you. Applications received after this deadline must be declined and ballots will not be mailed.
Be sure to complete all information on the form, the address where you want the ballot mailed, your full name, current residence address, and the last four digits of your social security number. The application must be signed.
After completing the application you may mail it to the General Registrar at 343 Sunnyside Plaza Drive, Winchester, Va. 22603 or fax it to us at (540) 665-8976 or email it to fcvotes@co.frederick.va.us.
Absentee Ballot Application - The Frederick County Registrar's office begins mailing ballots approximately 45 days before any election or as soon as possible after this deadline. Ballots are mailed within three business days after the completed absentee ballot applications are received. Please apply early enough to allow time to receive your ballot and return it by Election Day. Your application MUST be received in the Registrar's office by 4:30 p.m. on the eleventh (11th) day before the election, in order for a ballot to be mailed to you. Applications received after this deadline must be declined and ballots will not be mailed. Call or e-mail us if your ballot doesn't arrive within a reasonable time.
- All absentee ballots, both in-person or by mail, are tabulated either on Election Day or during Post-Processing in the Central Absentee Precinct (CAP). The County of Frederick uses optical scan paper ballots for all in-person or by mail absentee voting. Instructions will be included with your ballot. They must be followed carefully in order for your ballot to be counted on Election Day.
- Information for active duty members of the armed forces and U.S. citizens living overseas can be found here.
- In order to qualify to be an Officer of Election you must be a registered voter in the Commonwealth of Virginia. You can not hold any elected office or be the employee of an elected official. You must enjoy meeting and working with people and serving the public. You must be able to attend the mandatory training session prior to each election. You must be able to take directions, pay attention to detail and not easily be distracted. You must be able to work the entire day of Election Day.
- Yes. A mandatory training session is required and held before each election or primary.
- You will be assigned to work in your own precinct, which should be near your home, if at all possible.
- You must arrive at your assigned polling place by 5:00 a.m. on Election Day and remain until the polls close and all results are tabulated and called in. Set up voting equipment and prepare the polling place for voting. Process voters by checking names on the list of registered voters for your precinct. Distribute paper ballots to qualified voters. Observing voters inserting their voted paper ballots into the optical scan voting machine. Assisting voters who need to use the ballot marking voting machine. Tally results, secure voting machines, pack up all voting supplies and close the polling place, usually by 9:00 p.m. Making certain that the polling place is left exactly as you found it.
- You must be able to work at least three days. Pre-Preprocessing begins at least one week before the Election and could take more than one day. You must be able to work a full day on Election Day and remain until the polls close and all results are tabulated and reported. Post-Processing is done on the third day after the Election. You will check absentee voters' names with poll book. Process absentee ballots. Tally results, pack up all supplies and close the polling place.
- You may be called prior to Election Day to fill in for Officers of Election who can not serve.
- Officers of Election working a full day receive $200 and for attending a mandatory training session receive $25. For a total of $225.
- Complete the information requested on the form below and return to:
Frederick County Electoral Board
343 Sunnyside Plaza Drive
Winchester, VA 22603
(540) 665-5660
(540) 665-8976 (fax)
fcvotes@fcva.us - To learn about becoming a firefighter with the County or of any employment openings we currently have, click here.
- Yes, please fill out this form to request a smoke alarm. Also, the Virginia Department of Health has joined forces with Frederick County Fire and Rescue Department to install FREE smoke detectors into the homes of qualifying families
- To locate your first due station, click here.
- Frederick County has eleven (11) Volunteer stations throughout the County which are all staffed with a minimum of 2 to 5 career personnel (depending on the station), 24 - hours a day. Volunteer personnel also assist with staffing stations, when available, to ensure that all emergencies are responded to.
- The Department has a Public Education Specialist. Events and demonstrations can be scheduled by clicking here. Please give adequate time before the event for planning
- Incident reports fall under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. To request a copy of a report, please fill out the request form. Forward the completed form to 1080 Coverstone Drive, Winchester, VA 22602. You may also fax the request to (540) 678-4739. Requests must be submitted in writing and specify incident information (i.e., date, location, name, etc.). If you are requesting an EMS report, include a patient authorization form signed by the patient.
- Tents over 900 square feet require an inspection by the Fire Marshal. A permit is required through the Inspections Department (540-665-5650). Please call the Fire Marshal's Office when the tent is erected to schedule an inspection.
- Blasting of rock is the most cost-effective and time conserving method for rock excavation, mining, or quarrying operations. By improving the efficiency of the operation, the life of a construction project is shortened and the inconvenience to you is minimized
- Permits are required for construction/business-related burning. For a Burn Permit Application, click here. Agricultural, campfires, bonfires, and small, controlled residential brush burns are allowed without a permit. However, clearance of 500 feet from occupied dwellings, forests, and streets must be maintained and the burn must be attended to at all times.
- Burning may occur during the hours of 7 a.m. and midnight throughout most of the year. Frederick County enforces the Virginia Spring Fire Season, which takes place February 15 through April 30 of each year. During this time, burning is allowed during the hours of 4 p.m. and midnight only.
- Burning of brush, leaves, grass, trees and other naturally occurring material is permitted. Household trash and rubbish is not permitted. Rubber tires, asphaltic materials, used oil, or similar materials that produce dense smoke are also not permitted.
- Your responsibilities as a volunteer include adhering to standard operating procedures, participating in training, and maintaining professionalism.
- In order to qualify to become a volunteer, you must be at least 16 years of age and complete a criminal background check.
- • Administration
• Bookkeeping
• Computer Support
• Emergency Medical Technicians
• Firefighters
• Financial Management
• Fundraising
• Grant Writers
• Pageantry
• Public Education
• Training
• Vehicle & Building Maintenance - • Accident & Injury Coverage
• Amusement Park Tickets
• Apple Credit Union
• Columbia Southern University
• Fitness Equipment Offered through the Public Safety Building to all volunteers.
• Length of Service Program Maximum monthly benefit of $300.
• Life Insurance
• Personal Property Tax Reduction
• Photo Identification Card
• Protective Equipment
• Service Award Program
• Stress Support
• Training
• Vaccinations
• Vehicle Registration fee
• License Plate
• Vendor Discount Program
• Volunteer Appreciation Program
• Willing Service - No, you do not need to live in the County to volunteer.
- At this time, no direct compensation or pay is received by volunteer members. However, our community is very supportive and appreciative of the services that volunteers provide and offer many benefits to express their gratitude. Please see our benefits chart for more information
- Frederick County and all volunteer companies provide insurance coverage for volunteer members.
- All necessary protective clothing is provided by the volunteer companies at no cost to the volunteer.
- Most volunteer companies set up schedules based on your availability. Volunteer members can spend anywhere from ten to sixty hours per month depending on their level of participation within the Companies.
If I have current training certifications, will they count towards the County's training requirements?
Virginia has agreements for reciprocity with several states for the acceptance of both Fire and EMS certifications.- The required training for service as a volunteer is provided free of charge
- Classes are sponsored by the Fire and Rescue Department, as well as by the local fire and rescue departments. Classes are also held by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, the Virginia Office of EMS, and various additional local resources. In addition, Lord Fairfax Community College provides EMT-Enhanced and EMT-Intermediate programs.
- Training requirements vary. As a general rule, volunteers involved in firefighting will complete approximately 120 hours of basic firefighting training; volunteers involved in emergency medical services will complete a minimum of 110 hours. Specialized training such as vehicle extrication, hazardous materials response or advanced life support training will result in more hours.
- To join, one must be at least sixteen years of age. In addition, a Fire & Rescue Explorer Post is in the development stage and will allow for participation by those at least fourteen years of age. There is no maximum age limit.
As a volunteer, would I need to respond on incidents or are there other areas in which I can offer assistance?
Some people have no desire to fire structural fires, administer first aid to the sick or rescue accident victims. Some may have the desire, but might not be able to devote the time to training. There are many other positions within the fire and rescue system, which are administrative duties, bookkeeping, computer support, financial management, fundraising, grant writing, pageantry, public education, training, and vehicle and building maintenance and repairs. These opportunities may be seasonal or involve a regular time commitment. Regardless of your skill set, positions are available for you through the fire and rescue department.- The majority of responders within the Frederick County area are volunteers. The eleven volunteer fire and rescue stations own and operate their own equipment. Career staffing is provided to supplement the volunteer force.
- Political maps go here.
- Interactive map links go here.
- Administrative fees are fees assessed on a taxpayer when collection actions are taken. The fee is allowed per County code and is currently $30 per action. The County also collects a $20 fee the DMV charges to release a DMV renewal stop.
I am unable to renew my license plates at the DMV because of outstanding Frederick County taxes. Why?
Frederick County is allowed by the Virginia DMV to stop renewals of vehicle registrations of any taxpayer that owes Frederick County delinquent personal property taxes. The stop is on the taxpayer, so it applies to every vehicle the person is an owner or co-owner of. To have the stop removed, all of the delinquent taxes/fees for the taxpayer whom the stop is on, must be paid.- The penalty is assessed on the first day the tax is delinquent. It is 10% of the outstanding balance. The interest is assessed for one month on the first day of delinquency and on the first of each month after that on the outstanding balance. The interest rate is 10% per annum.
- Payment plans may be set up for those who qualify. No payment plans will be permitted for account balances less than $150. They are designed to pay off any outstanding tax balances by the next tax period, this may vary based on our guidelines for payment plans. This prevents the taxpayer from becoming delinquent again, since bills are due every 6 months. Payment plans do not eliminate penalty or interest from accruing. Failure to honor a payment plan results in immediate collection action.
- Any amount paid prior to the due date will minimize penalties and interest, so it is best to pay what you can before the due date. Only the remaining balance is subject to penalties and interest. Penalty and interest are assessed the day after the taxes are due. However, collection action does not begin until 30 days after taxes are due. This allows the taxpayer at least 30 days to pay without collection fees/action. If you are not able to pay the entire balance due at thirty days past the due date, you will need to see if you qualify for a payment plan to avoid collection action.
Taxes are considered delinquent the day after they were due (if unpaid). Penalty and interest are incurred that day as well. The penalty is 10 percent and the interest is 1 month (at 10% per annum). Penalty is assessed on the first day of the delinquency and interest is assessed on the outstanding balance on the 1st of each month. However, our office does not pursue collection actions until 30 days after the due date.
- Bidders List - Register with eVA to receive formal solicitation notices (see Bidder Registration).
Vendor Registration - Register with Frederick County when/if payment is necessary.
For more information, contact Missi Neal in the Finance Department.
Informal Procurement
- Purchases between $10,000 and $99,999 - The use of eVA shall be utilized for Request for Quotes (Quick Quotes), Unsealed Bids, and Unsealed Proposals. Merchants should make contact and establish relationship directly with department. Click here for county department directory.
Formal Procurement- Goods and Non-Professional Services - Purchases expected to be $100,000 or more - Invitation for Bid (IFB) or Request for Proposal (RFP) required.
- Professional Services - Purchases expected to be $80,000 or more - Request for Proposal (RFP) required.
All notices posted are on eVA at least 10 days prior to the due date (see Bidder Registration).
For more information, contact Missi Neal, Purchasing Manager in the Finance Department.
- There is extensive information available on-line, including step-by-step instructions for obtaining a license. For complete business license information click here.
- Owner(s) name(s)
- Trade name (Fictitious name filing may be required)
- Type of Business Entity
- Name and title of all member of the Business Entity (e.g., officers, partners etc.)
- Physical address
- Contact information including: mailing address, email address, phone no., etc.
- SSN or EIN
- Estimated gross receipts for the first year
- Category of Business
- Date business is starting
- Approved zoning review form
- Additional forms are required for contractors
For complete business license information click here.
- The legal name of a business is the name of the person or entity that owns a business. If a sole owner, its legal name is the person's name. If a partnership, its legal name is the name given in the partnership agreement or the last names of all of the partners. If an LLC or corporation, the legal name is the one that was registered with the State Corporation Commission.
A fictitious or assumed name is a name that a person (individual or business entity) uses instead of the person's legal name. Businesses must register or file their fictitious name to prevent customer confusion between two local businesses that use the same name and to provide the name and contact information of the owner. Per the Code of Virginia, no person, partnership, limited liability company or corporation can conduct or transact business under any assumed or fictitious name unless it signs and acknowledges a certificate setting forth the name under which the business is to be conducted or transaction, with the respective post office and residence addresses, and files the certificate with the Virginia State Corporation Commission. 1-866-722-2551
You will need to provide us with a copy if you are required to file a Certificate of Assumed or Fictitious Name with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (for more info, call 866-722-2551 or obtain an application form at www.scc.virginia.gov . - The State Corporation Commission (SCC) is an independent state agency established by the Constitution of Virginia which has regulatory authority over many businesses in Virginia. Its authority includes serving as the state's central filing office for corporations, limited partnerships, and limited liability companies in Virginia. Certain types of business entities are required to register with the SCC and make annual filings. For more information, go to www.scc.virginia.gov.
- An application is available on-line for completion and submission here.
- Printable forms can be downloaded from our website and faxed, mailed, or emailed.
- Come to the Commissioner of the Revenue's office at 107 North Kent St Winchester VA.
- A business license can be obtained in the same day, if all documents are presented fully completed and payment is made.
Gross receipts under $100,000 are assessed a flat rate.
- $4000 - $14,999 gross receipts: $30.00 fixed fee
- $15,000 - $99,999 gross receipts: $50.00 fixed fee
Gross Receipts of $100,000 or more:
- Retail: 20¢ per $100
- Contractor: 16¢ per $100
- Service: 36¢ per $100
- Professional Service: 58¢ per $100
- Wholesale: 5¢ per $100 (Based on gross purchases)
- Additional flat rates for specific categories
- We prefer that you file online at www.fcva.us/biztax. It's quick as a click! Business Licenses must be renewed by March 1 and paid for by April 1.
Do I need to renew my license if the business made less than $4,000 in the prior year or anticipates making less than $4,000 in the upcoming year?
Business licenses that are not subject to a flat tax rate are calculated on the prior year's gross receipts or estimated gross receipts if a new business. Businesses who gross under $4,000 in one calendar year may wish to obtain a business license for the minimum fee although not required to do so. However, we do ask that they file with the Commissioner's office. If a business is not renewing its license because it has or anticipates gross receipts of less than $4,000, it is important to notify the Commissioner's office so that your account record is updated accordingly and you are not sent a statutory assessment or Summons for failure to file. If the gross receipts are estimated to be under $4,000 and the business grosses more than $4,000, then all the requirements of a business license must be met and purchased within 30 days of reaching the $4,000 threshold.- The online filing should be available on the first business day after January 1. The existing business license is valid until the March 1 renewal deadline of the next year.
- Contact the Business Division at (540) 722-8328 and request that hard copies of the filing forms be mailed to you.
In reviewing the information I supplied to your office, I realized that I filed incorrectly or I need to change the physical or mailing address. How do I make necessary changes?
Corrections must be in writing and can be emailed to Kathy Corbit. Reference the items that need to be changed. Supply as much information as possible such as account number, trade name, etc.If my business involves meals/beverages or lodging/room rental, are there any additional filing or tax requirements?
In addition to the regular business license requirements, a person or entity who is responsible for payment of the imposed meals (food and beverage) or transient occupancy (lodging/room rental) tax must (a) register for collection of this "trust tax," (b) add the tax to the amount charged for the meal or lodging, (c) collect the tax from the purchaser at the time the charge for the meal or lodging becomes due, (d) make a report for each calendar month showing the amount of charges collected and the amount of tax required to be collected, and (e) deliver to the Commissioner a signed monthly report accompanied by a remittance of the amount of tax due payable to the Treasurer on or before the 20th day of the calendar month following the month being reported for the prior month's gross sales.- A "short-term rental property tax" is imposed on persons engaged in a short-term rental property business. All those engaged in the business of renting daily rental property are categorized as retail merchants for purposes of a business license tax in Frederick County. A "manufacturer / machinery and tools tax" is imposed on all tangible personal property owned, leased, rented, or borrowed, which was used or available for use in manufacturing which was located in Frederick County as of January 1 of any year. The deadline for filing an annual M&T tax return (Form 762M) is March 1st each year. A "processor tax" is imposed on all tangible personal property owned, leased, rented, or borrowed, which was used or available for use in processing which was located in Frederick County as of January 1 of any year. The deadline for filing an annual Processor tax return (Form 762P) is March 1st each year. See our website for more information regarding these taxes.
- Business tangible personal property are moveable goods that are real, material, and substantive. Examples are office furniture, signage, desktop and laptop computers, keyboards, monitors, printers, scanners, copiers, fax machines, credit/debit card payment devices, hand-held tools, power tools, desks, chairs, telephones, filing cabinets, bookshelves, pallet jacks, forklifts, skidders etc..
- Business tangible personal property ("business equipment") must be filed annually even if there has been no change since the previous year (Form 762B). This list represents the tangible personal property owned on January 1 of each year. The deadline for filing is March 1. If filed online, the following year the list will automatically appear as previously submitted for review and change or confirmation, then resubmission. Bills are sent two times a year with payment due June 5 and Dec 5.
- $4.86 per $100 of the assessed value. Assessed value is 30% of the reported cost.
- Yes. The penalty is 10% of the assessed tax.
In addition, any person (or entity) who fails to file or renew its business license, business equipment, or other required tax filings can be summonsed by the Sheriff's office to appear before the Commissioner to answer, under oath, question touching on the tax matters, and to produce books, documents and records relevant thereto for the current year and three prior years. Furthermore, any person who refuse to comply with a Summons is deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and each day's refusal constitutes a separate offense. - The Commissioner's office needs a detailed list of all contractors and subcontractors, as well as persons issued a Form 1099 used by a contractor for work performed in Frederick County to ensure that they are properly licensed, including a business license if required.
- Yes, all changes to your business must be reported to the Commissioner of the Revenue. Changes can be emailed to Kathy Corbit or provided online. Examples: location change, owner(s) change, contact information change, entity type change (e.g.,from a Partnership to a Sole Proprietor), change in "trading as" name, change of Federal Employer Identification Number, category change (e.g., was wholesaler, now retailer & wholesaler), etc.
In order to close your business, we must receive notification in writing signed by the owner or an officer listed with our office. Fax ((540) 667-6487), mail to: PO Box 552 Winchester, VA 22604 , or email Kathy Corbit and supply the following information:
- Name of the business owner
- Trade name of the business
- Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) associated with the accounts
- The account numbers
- The exact date the business closed
- Frederick County GIS has the standard gambit of land data: parcels, soils, wetlands, landmarks survey, historic districts, zoning, land use, etc. For more details, look in the FCGIS Data Section of the GIS web page.
- The data is maintained daily. Parcel information is downloaded from the Real Estate CAMRA file daily and new structure numbers and addressing are added practically every day. Therefore, ArcGIS information is current to the date it was produced in its deliverable form.
- A Historical Landmarks survey was completed by Maral Kalbian through the Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society in 1992. GIS mainrains a shape file that shows the location of each structure 50 years and older with the record number associated to the files in the Handley Library Archives.
Six of the 16 American Civil War battlefields in the Shenandoah Valley are in Frederick County. The National Park Service did an extensive survey of these battlefields. GIS has a shape file of the core study areas designated by the NPS as areas of preservation concern. - The current data is NAD 83 State Plane Virginia North.
- The majority of the County's data is provided as shapefiles or geodatabase - and therefore ArcView, ArcExplore, or ArcInfo...or a program that reads .shp files. A shareware. shp reader can be downloaded for free from the ESRI site.
- Frederick County Map data is currently provided in NAD 83 State Plane Virginia North and in primarily shapefiles or geodatabase.
- A street guide book for the county is not available at this time. The most comprehensive commercial book is available from the ADC company. The county has plans for a new street guide book, however, key components of the data are currently under revision.
- Individual tax maps at a scale of 1" = 600' can be purchased from the following agencies: GIS, Planning and Development, and Commissioner of Revenue/Real Estate. The County is divided into 94 of these tax maps. An index can be made available upon request. See the Products and Services Section of this web site for details.
- The County currently has five foot interval contour mapping of the entire county. This data is broken up into the same tile system as the digital orthophography, in 5000' by 5000' blocks. The data is available in .dwg, .dxf, and shape file. The contour data for the entire county at a twenty-five foor contour interval is available in shapefile format or geodatabase format.
- In 2010, the County contracted for and had flown a set of digital orthophotos for the entire County at a map scale of 1" = 200'. These digial orthos are available to the public in SID and ECW formats. See the Products and Services Section of the Frederick County GIS webpages for details.
- The Department of Planning and Development's archives contain; film positives of the whole County 1" = 3000' from 1970. produced by the Virginia Department of Highways; a set of 1" = 600' scale film positives for 1981; and a set of 1" = 600' scale film positives for 1988.
No. Frederick County eliminated motor vehicle decals on January 14, 2009. You do still need to file new vehicles with the Commissioner of the Revenue's office.
- The County Treasurer accepts these payments. Visit the Treasurer's webpage.
- Frederick County can stop your DMV registration renewals. To have it released, all accounts must be paid current.
- The Personal Property Tax Relief Act of 1998 provides tax relief for any passenger car, motorcycle, or pickup or panel truck having a registered gross weight of less than 7,501 pounds. The vehicle must be owned or leased by an individual and NOT used for business purposes. A vehicle would be considered to be used for business purposes if:
-More than 50% of the mileage for the year is used as a business expense for Federal Income Tax purposes or reimbursed by an employer.
-More than 50% of the depreciation associated with the vehicle is deducted as a business expense for Federal Income Tax,
-The Cost of the vehicle is expensed pursuant to Sections 179 of the IRS Code.
-The vehicle is leased by an individual and the leasing company pays the tax without reimbursement from the individual.
-Vehicles qualified for tax relief are noted on your tax bill and show a reduction for the portion of the tax applied to each vehicle. For qualified vehicles, your tax bill is reduced by the applicable tax relief percent for the tax year on the first $ 20,000 of value. If your qualifying vehicles' assessed value is $ 1,000 or less, your tax has been eliminated.
You are required to certify annually to the County of Frederick that your vehicle remains qualified to receive car tax relief. Therefore, it is important that you review the information sent to you by your locality to be sure that your vehicles are properly qualified. This information may be included on items such as personal property returns, decal applications or tax bills. If your vehicle is improperly qualified or you are uncertain whether your vehicle would be eligible for car tax relief because it is used part of the time for business purposes, contact the Commissioner of the Revenue at (540)665-5681. When you pay your taxes on qualified vehicles, you are certifying to County of Frederick that your vehicle has been qualified correctly. - Maps of various sizes with a maximum of 33" x 44" can be produced by the GIS Division on any information that is currently available. Any maps that require data generation fall under FOI (Freedom of Information) and require an additional production cost for staff time. See the Products and Services Section of this web site for details.
- A 33" x 44" wall-sized index map of Frederick County is avaliable for purchase through the GIS Division. This map provides an index of tax maps, major roads, zoning, agricultural districts, and the Urban Development Area. See the Products and Services Section of this web site for details.
- The only maps currently available for download from Frederick County's web site are in image, .pdf or .jpg format. The GIS Division is about to release an interactive mapping system to the public via ArcIMS on the County's website. This interactive mapping will allow users to access, query, and print maps produced from the County GIS data without having to purchase or load GIS software on their personal computer.
- Failure to receive your bills does not change the due date or exempt you from penalties and interest. If you do not receive your bills, please call our office to verify your address or you can look the bills up online
- The current tax rate is $4.23 per $100 of assessed value. To compute the tax on a $10,000 item, divide this value by 100 and multiply by the tax rate:
$10,000/100 x $4.23 = $423.00 - Personal property is filed with the Commissioner of the Revenue's office.
Click to file
Anyone who moves, changes an address, or buys or sells a vehicle must file a personal property proration form. Failure to file may result in a penalty. Owners of airplanes, mobile homes, business equipment, and machinery and tools must file annually - If the property is titled solely in the name of the service person, it is not subject to tax. A Certificate of Legal Residence must be filed with the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office.
To see if the State of Virginia is holding your forgotten funds go to the following link for unclaimed property search: www.trs.virginia.gov
PERSONAL
$4.23
FIRE AND RESCUE
$2.25 MOBILE HOMES
51 CENTS
BUSINESS EQUIPMENT
$4.86 MACHINERY AND TOOLS
$2.00 CONTRACT CARRIER
$2.00 All rates are per $100.00 of assessed valueState law requires the County holding unclaimed property to remit money with a report to the State of Virginia annually on November 1st. The report consists of monies unclaimed at June 30 immediately preceding that report year. VA Code Section 55-210-12(D).
The Finance Department and the Treasurer's Office exercises "due diligence" in attempting to locate the rightful owner of the property. A first-class letter is sent to the owner's last known address informing them of the dormant status of their property. If this attempt is unsuccessful, a report including the money is sent to the State of Virginia with the owners last known address.
- Yes- on motor vehicles, trailers, and mobile homes only.
- Frederick County levies this tax on automobiles, trucks, motor homes, motorcycles, trailers, campers, boats, outboard motors, airplanes, and business personal property.
Expenditures are funded with revenues derived from taxes, fees, user charges, reimbursed costs and state/federal allocations.
The general fund budget provides for the daily operations of the county government and is funded with local, state and federal revenue. Local revenue contributes to the majority of funding to general fund. Expenditures in the general fund budget include government administration, judicial administration, public safety, public works, health and welfare, parks and recreation, community development , transfers to the various school funds, and transfers to the airport and jail operating fund.
The Board of Supervisors adopts a total county budget that includes funding for school operating, school capital, school debt service, school food service, and school related regional programs. The budget resolution is adopted by the Board of Supervisors by fund totals and does not allocate funding at program level. The county elected School Board is responsible for funding levels by programs and services.
Frederick County Code is located at http://ecode360.com/8705303
Article II. Noise
ARTICLE II. Noise
§ 48-23. Unreasonable noise unlawful.§ 48-24. Enforcement.§ 48-25. Violations and penalties.
[Adopted 6-10-1992]
§ 48-23. Unreasonable noise unlawful.
It shall be unlawful, after written notice by the Sheriff to the owner, custodian or person in control or possession of a dog, for such person to suffer or allow such dog to yelp, whine or otherwise make unreasonably loud noises as are plainly audible to adjoining residents or property owners in a residential subdivision so as to unreasonably annoy, disturb, bother or vex such residents or property owners.
§ 48-24. Enforcement.
Enforcement of this article shall be by the Sheriff of Frederick County.
§ 48-25. Violations and penalties.
A violation of this article shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $25 for the first offense and a fine of not more than $100 for each subsequent offense. Each such occurrence shall constitute a separate offense.
ARTICLE I. Dog Licensing; Rabies Control
Top
ARTICLE III. Animals and Fowl Running at Large; Fences
Article III. ANIMALS AND FOWL RUNNING AT LARGE; FENCES
§ 48-26. Running at large unlawful; division fences.
[Adopted 12-9-1992; amended in its entirety 5-10-2006]
§ 48-26. Running at large unlawful; division fences.A. As provided in § 3.1-796.94:1, § 18.2-121.1, and Article 5, No-Fence Law, of Title 55 of the Code of Virginia, animals and fowl running at large shall be prohibited. Any person violating any provision of this section shall receive a warning from the Frederick County Sheriff's Department for the initial violation. Any subsequent violation shall be punishable by a Class 4 misdemeanor.
B. Division fences shall be established in the County as provided in County ordinances adopted 12-22-1888, 7-19-1919, 12-18-1922, 11-7-1924, 3-30-1930, and 5-10-1948, which ordinances are on file in the County offices. Responsibility for construction, maintenance, and repair of such division fences shall be as provided in Article 6 of Title 55 of the Code of Virginia.
- Trespass Notice
No Trespass instructions are outlined on the attached form. This document is also located on the Sheriff's Office site under FORMS.
- The Board of Supervisors establishes a tax rate for real estate every Spring when it adopts the following fiscal year's budget. The rate applied for 2024 is 51 cents per $100 of value.
To compute the real estate tax on a property assessed at $275,000, divide the assessed value by 100 and multiply
by the tax rate: $275,000/100=2750 * .51 = $1402.50 - Your mortgage company should request a copy of your bill. You may wish to send them your copy of the bill. Tax information is also available on this website. If you want to know if we have received payment from your mortgage company, you may check it online or call our office (540-665-5607). Mortgage Companies typically pay on the day taxes are due.
- Real estate taxes are due June 5th and December 5th.
- Eviction process
The eviction process is outlined in the attached document. This document is also located on the Sheriff's Office site under FORMS.
It is required by Code of Virginia § 58.1-3252:
There shall be a general reassessment of real estate every four years. Any county which, however, has a total population of 50,000 or less may elect by majority vote of its board of supervisors to conduct its general reassessments at either five-year or six-year intervals. Nothing in this section shall affect the power of any county to use the annual or biennial assessment method as authorized by law.
- Virginia State Code also requires reassessments be at 100% of fair market value. Fair market value is only a price paid by a willing buyer from a willing seller neither under constraint to buy or sell and unrelated by family or close association. (Foreclosures and forced auction sales prices cannot be included, nor can "family" sales or sales between related corporations).
- The last reassessment was completed January 1, 2025. The next reassessment values will take effect on January 1, 2027.
- Virginia State Code requires us to reassess at no greater than every 4 years based on our current population. However, Frederick County Board of Supervisors voted to make the the general reassessment process every 2 years.
- Assign the trained assessors of the Commissioner of the Revenue office to examine each property for all items that affect value such as size, land, additions, rooms, utilities, and other items affecting value.
- Yellow cards are left or taxpayers are interviewed.
- Yellow cards are left and data is entered and further examined. Then, all data is checked and rechecked for accuracy, clerical errors, and reasonableness.
- County data such as zoning, road access, location, and neighborhoods is verified.
- Sales data is verified and rechecked and then applied (see below).
Sales Price is the actual amount paid by a buyer for a property or group of properties
Appraisal is a detailed single-property valuation obtained anytime throughout the year to be used for a wide range of purposes such as a mortgage, plan to sell, home equity loan, or estate valuation.
Assessment is a mass appraisal of property as of January 1 of the year of reassessment and is for tax purposes. Assessments in Virginia must be at 100% of the fair market value but cannot exceed that. Assessments are based on large numbers of sales that are analyzed to determine values for large groups or similar properties.
- Properties are sorted by type: commercial, industrial, residential, agricultural, or other lands. Sales used are verified as to fair market value. Sales are grouped by property types. Large numbers of sales are grouped and applied to numbers of similar properties. This is mass appraisal or assessment and not fee appraisal. Each parcel has appropriate land and improvement values separately stated and adjusted to recent qualifying fair market sales values.
- When data has been verified thoroughly, notices are mailed to the last known address of the owner. No notices will be sent until all data is verified and all field work and checks are completed. No rumor or other casual information should be considered prior to the mailing of the official notices from the Commissioner of the Revenue office.
- Property owners, if dissatisfied, must prove the reassessment value to be wrong by clerical error or inequitable when compared to like properties.
- Any owner may appeal and attempt to prove the reassessment value to be wrong by clerical error or inequitable when compared to like properties. Dates, telephone numbers, or emails to schedule a hearing will be on every notice mailed. Hearings will be scheduled so no one has to wait long periods of time and to accommodate working owners.
- New values, when completed, will be on the website at www.fcva.us/ra. They may also be viewed in the Real Estate Division of the Commissioner of the Revenue Office at 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, VA 22601. Owners may also call (540) 722-8319 or Email Barbara
- Notify the Real Estate Division of the Commissioner of the Revenue Office immediately by phone at (540) 665-5680 or Email Barbara . If you are emailing or leaving a telephone message, please be certain you leave return contact information and a brief statement of what you believe needs to be corrected so we can serve you better.
The real estate tax rate is set annually by the Board of Supervisors depending on the County's budgetary needs. Click on the tax rates below to see all the current tax rates.
No, the Code of Virginia does not allow this. See https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title58.1/chapter39/section58.1-3965/
- 1. The sale of any parcel is subject to the approval and confirmation of the Circuit Court of Frederick County.
2. The Special Commissioner of Sale reserves the right to withdraw from sale any property listed and to reject any bid by declaring "NO SALE" after the last bid received on a parcel.
3. A Bidder's Deposit or ten percent (10%) of the purchase price, whichever is greater, by cash, cashier's or certified check is due when the Auctioneer declares the sale. Terms of the Auction will be posted by the Special Commissioner at the time of advertisement.
4. All successful bidders must certify that they are not the owner of any other property in Frederick County on which there are delinquent taxes, zoning or other violations.
5. Properties are offered "as is", with all faults and without warranties either expressed or implied.
6. The costs of any title search and all recording costs will be at the expense of the purchaser. Property will be conveyed by Special Warranty Deed.
7. Announcements made the day of sale take precedence over any prior verbal or written terms of sale.The Special Commissioner represents that information regarding the properties, including acreage, is only from the land records and is not guaranteed for either its completeness or accuracy. Bidders should make their own investigation to determine the suitability of each parcel and to bid accordingly. Any costs incurred by a bidder to inspect or investigate any property are the bidder’s responsibility and are not reimbursable.
No, the back taxes are paid out of the sale proceeds. The property is sold free and clear of any other liens or judgements. Property is conveyed by a Special Warranty deed.
The properties that have been submitted to the County Attorney for the judicial sale process are listed on the Frederick County VA website. The actual sales notices are published in the Winchester Star (local newspaper).
There are no set intervals or dates for the auctions. Parcels require differing amounts of time to complete the judicial sale process.
The property is sold at auction on the steps of the Joint Judicial Center/Courthouse located at 5 North Kent St, Winchester VA.
Yes, there are several exemptions from the vehicle license fee. Qualified volunteer fire/rescue personnel, qualified POW, and qualified disabled veterans may be exempt on qualified vehicles only. Qualified National Guard plated vehicles also may have a reduced fee. Please contact the Treasurer or Commissioner for more information.
No, under the current ordinance, license fees are not transferable. All vehicles, not otherwise exempted, are charged a license fee.
Legislative applications require an action (approval or denial) by the Board of Supervisors. These applications are processed by the Department of Planning and Development and require public hearings before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. Typically, these applications involve land use matters such as zoning changes, housing density increases, and applications for new or modified uses.
REZ – Rezoning Application; minor proffer amendments
CUP – Conditional Use Permit
Public comments may be provided to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors for legislative applications during their applicable public hearing.
Administrative applications such as site plans and subdivision design plans are processed internally by the Department of Planning and Development. These types of applications pertain to uses that are permitted by-right within a specific zoning district. Administrative applications do not require public hearings, adjoiner notifications, or action by the Board of Supervisors.
A comprehensive list of pending and recently approved legislative and administrative applications can be found here.
Yes, you need to purchase a decal from your town office. However, you still need to file your vehicle with Frederick County. You will not be charged a vehicle license fee by Frederick County.
Notification of a public hearing is sent to property owners who abut or are adjacent (including across roadways) to a property that is the subject of a legislative application (i.e., rezoning or a conditional use permit). Notification letters are sent to inform property owners that a change is being requested for a specific property and informing the recipient that they have the opportunity to comment on the application.
Two notification letters are sent out, the first prior to the Planning Commission public hearing and the second prior to the Board of Supervisors’ public hearing. The first notice is mailed at least 21 and no more than 30 calendar days before the hearing with the second notice being mailed at least 5 calendar days before the hearing.
In addition to written notification to adjoining/abutting property owners, yellow public hearing signs are posted on subject properties along major roadways with the project name, application (reference) number and contact information for the Department of Planning and Development. Finally, a public notice is published in the local newspaper 14 days before and again 7 days before a public hearing.
If you need assistance or have questions about why you received a notification letter or about advertisement for a public hearing you may also contact the department front counter at 540-665-5651.
Public files are maintained for all application types (legislative or administrative) by the Department of Planning and Development at the Frederick County Government Center in Winchester (2nd floor, 107 N. Kent Street). All applications are also maintained electronically in the county’s Current Planning Applications page. Fourteen (14) days prior to public meetings/hearings, agenda and application materials are available through the Meeting Portal tab on the County’s homepage. All application materials (i.e. submittal documents, review agency comments, maps, staff reports, etc.) are available online.
If you need assistance or have questions about accessing application materials, you may also contact the department front counter at 540-665-5651.
- Those wishing to provide public comment on legislative applications under consideration by the Planning Commission or Board of Supervisors may do so electronically, in writing, or verbally at a public hearing.
Electronic comments may be submitted using the e-Comment link under the Meeting Portal tab on the county’s homepage. All comments submitted online for a legislative application become part of the public record and are included in the public file and digitally archived within the county’s system. In addition, all comments submitted prior to a public hearing are available provided to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. Any comments received after a public hearing has been held will be provided to the appropriate decision-making body, dependent on where the application is in the process.
Citizens can also provide verbal and/or written comments at the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors public hearing. Written comments can be sent directly to the Department of Planning and Development, 107 N. Kent Street, Suite 202, Winchester, VA 22601.
Finally, citizens can attend a public hearing and deliver verbal comments on a particular application directly to the Planning Commission or Board of Supervisors. For more information about upcoming meeting agendas, please use the Meeting Portal tab on the county’s homepage.
Public comment and correspondence, whether e-mailed, written, or spoken, are made part of the public record and are subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
If you need assistance or have questions about submitting a public comment on an application, you may also contact the department front counter at 540-665-5651.
The Frederick County Zoning Ordinance outlines the by-right or allowed uses and the uses that require a conditional use permit (CUP) for each zoning district. The uses of a property will depend on the zoning designation adopted on the Official Zoning Map.
A zoning designation for a particular property may be changed through a process known as a rezoning. A rezoning may only be undertaken when the desired zoning district designation aligns with the future land use specified in the County’s 2035 Comprehensive Plan.
To look up the zoning classification for your property, you may use the County’s Interactive GIS Mapping System to determine your property’s zoning district. For an official (written) certification letter regarding the zoning of a particular property, or an official (written) determination letter regarding a desired use may be requested in writing through the Zoning Administrator.
For more information about zoning, permitted, conditional uses, future land uses, and zoning determination and certification letters please contact the Planning Department at (540) 665-5651.
“Granny flats” also known as “in-law suites” or accessory dwelling units are allowed in all residential districts. Requirements for accessory dwelling units are contained in §165-201.05 of the Frederick County Zoning Ordinance.
In the RP (Residential Performance), R4 (Residential Planned Community) and R5 (Residential Recreational Community), and MH1 (Mobile Home) Zoning Districts, accessory dwelling units are permitted if they are attached to the principal dwelling by a breezeway or other means. In the RP, R4, and R5 Zoning Districts a mobile home shall not be allowed as an accessory dwelling. In the RA Zoning District, accessory dwelling units are permitted as detached (standalone) structures pending they meet the required setbacks for accessory. In all zoning districts where accessory dwellings are permitted, the unit cannot exceed 25% of the gross square footage of the primary residence or a minimum of 500 square feet, whichever is greater. For example, if your home is 3,000 square feet (SF) then the maximum size your accessory dwelling could be is 750 SF.
Building permits are required for all accessory dwelling units and may be obtained through the Department of Building Inspections. If you need more information on this subject, please contact the Planning Department at (540) 665-5651.
The keeping of any non-domestic/agricultural animals is prohibited in the RP (Residential Performance) Zoning District. If you live in a subdivision that is zoned R4 (Residential Planned Community) or R5 (Residential Recreational Community), the only agricultural animals permitted are backyard chickens subject to the additional regulations in §165-204 that are listed below:
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Roosters and other species of fowl are prohibited.
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Chickens shall be permitted accessory to single-family detached residences only. A maximum of 6 chickens (hens only) shall be permitted with one single-family detached residence.
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Chicken coops and pens shall meet the setbacks for accessory structures in the RP (Residential Performance) Zoning District contained in §165-402.09(M) and shall not be placed in the front setback yard required for the primary use per §165-201.02(E).
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Chickens shall not run at large in accordance with §48-26 (Animals and Fowl Running at Large).
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Chicken waste shall be stored in an enclosed container and properly disposed of by composting or other means to not create a nuisance.
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Chicken feed shall be stored in an enclosed, vermin proof container.
In the R4 and R5 Zoning Districts, the Homeowner/community associations restrictions and private covenants may further the keeping of backyard chickens beyond regulations in the Zoning Ordinance.
The keeping of chickens, other fowl, and livestock such as goats, sheep, and horses are only permitted in the RA (Rural Areas) Zoning District. Private covenants restricting rural subdivisions may also apply, but are not enforced by the County.
If you need more information on this subject, please contact the Planning Department at (540) 665-5651.
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Use the County’s Interactive GIS Mapping System to determine your property’s zoning district. If your property is zoned as RP (Residential Performance), your property’s setback requirements will be listed in §165-402.09 of the Frederick County Zoning Ordinance. For convenience, the County has assembled a Setback Pattern Book which graphically displays and explains the setback requirements for each housing type. Example subdivisions of each housing type are listed in the Setback Pattern Book. Always refer to the Frederick County Zoning Ordinance for any zoning regulation; never rely solely on the Setback Pattern Book.
If your property is zoned RA (Rural Areas), your property’s setbacks are listed in §165-401.07 of the Zoning Ordinance. The front setback for any principal use or structure shall be 60 feet from the property line or right-of-way of the street (not centerline), road or ingress/egress easement. The minimum side or rear setback for any principal use or structure shall be determined by the primary use of the adjoining parcel as follows:
Adjoining Parcel Size
Setback (Side and Rear) (Feet)
6 acres or less
50
More than 6 acres
100
Agricultural and Forestal District, 6 acres or less
50
Agricultural and Forestal District, 6 acres or more
200
Orchard (regardless of parcel size)
200
Along with the Zoning Ordinance and Setback Pattern Book, it may be necessary to consult the recorded plat for your property, which could vest (or “grandfather”) setbacks for your property that supersede newer setbacks dictated by the Zoning Ordinance. Plats are recorded with the Clerk of Courts for Frederick County. For more information about obtaining the plat for your property visit the clerk’s website.
Please note that for any proposed structure that is 5-FT or closer to a setback line and/or occupies a space greater than 500 square feet (SF), a structural location survey will be required in conjunction with your building permit. The structural location survey is described in detail in § 165-201.02 of the Zoning Ordinance and in the Setback Pattern Book.
I am currently zoned commercial or industrial and I want to expand my business. What do I need to do?
Any development, revision, or addition to land zoned commercial or industrial (B1, B2, B3, M1, M2, OM, and EM) must be depicted on a site plan approved by Frederick County.
The first step would be to contact the Planning Department to discuss the desired expansion to see if it would be permitted.
If permitted the next step would be to contact an engineer or surveyor licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia to draft and submit plans to the Department of Planning and Development and other required County Departments or State agencies for review Requirements for site plan submissions are contained in §165-802 of the Frederick County Zoning Ordinance.If you need more information on this subject, please contact the Planning Department at (540) 665-5651.
First you need to determine how your property is zoned, which you can find on the County's Interactive GIS Mapping System. If your property is zoned RP (Residential Performance), R4 (Residential Planned Community) or R5 (Residential Recreational Community) your setbacks will be 35-FT from any roads or access easements and 5-FT from the side yard and 5-FT from the rear yard property lines. If your structure is over 256-SF in size you will need a building permit from the County’s Building Inspections Department which can be reached at (540) 665-5650.
If your property is zoned RA (Rural Areas) your setbacks will be 60-FT from any public roads or 45-FT from the edge of any private road or access easements (not centerline) and 15-FT from the side yard and 15-FT from the rear yard property lines. If your building is over 256-SF in size you will need a building permit from the County's Building Inspections Department which can be reached at (540) 665-5650.
Please note that for any proposed structure that is 5-FTft or closer to a setback line and/or occupies a space greater than 500 square feet (SF), two (2) sets of a structural location survey will be required in conjunction with your building permit. The structural location survey is described in detail in section § 165-201.02 of the Zoning Ordinance and in the Setback Pattern Book.
If you need more information on this subject, please contact the Planning Department at (540) 665-5651.
Before you start any project, please check your Homeowners Association Covenants.A daycare may be operated as a home occupation in a residence so long as there are no more than five (5) children and/or adults, not including persons who are related by blood, marriage or adoption to the people who maintain the facility, are received for care, protection, and guidance during only part of the twenty-four-hour day.
If more than five (5) children are requested than a conditional use permit (CUP) must be sought.
If you need more information on this subject, please contact the Planning Department at (540) 665-5651.
All food trucks shall have an approved Frederick County Business License and shall have the required permits from the Virginia Department of Health – Lord Fairfax Health District, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VADMV), and the Frederick County Fire Marshal’s Office. A business license and other permits shall be clearly displayed on the food truck at all times. Food trucks are only permitted to operate on private property with written consent of the property owner. Food trucks shall not stay in one (1) location for more than a 24-hour period.
Please call the Commissioner of the Revenue at (540) 665-5609 for information on obtaining a Frederick County Business License
- The Board of Supervisors generally meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Meetings begin at 7 p.m., unless otherwise specified. Meetings are held in the Board of Supervisors' Meeting Room of the County Administration Building, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia, or such other public place as the Board may designate.
- Yes, the Board of Supervisors sits with open door and all persons conducting themselves in an orderly manner may attend the meetings.
The Board may also hold closed meetings as permitted by law. Closed meetings may be placed on the agenda, or may be requested by any member of the Board. The placement of residential fences is not regulated by Frederick County.
A privacy fence may be erected on your property line, but you need to ensure that you have adequate room to maintain or repair you fence. Homeowners should start by obtaining a copy of the recorded plat for their property. Plats are recorded with the Clerk of Courts for Frederick County. For more information about obtaining the plat for your property visit the clerk’s website.
Please note that fences cannot be placed in easements (drainage, stormwater, utility), the plat of your property or deed may show if you have any recorded easements.
Fences along roads may need to be approved by the local VDOT office to ensure that they are not creating a visual hazard by blocking the line of site.If you need more information on this subject, please contact the Planning Department at (540) 665-5651.
Businesses or "Home Occupations" can be operated within a residence under certain conditions. In the RA (Rural Areas) zoning district, home occupations may be conducted in an accessory building or structure.
Home occupations allow for up to five (5) people, not residing on the premise, per day, including customers and/or employees.
The business must also be incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for residential purposes with no exterior display, no exterior storage of materials and no exterior indication of the home occupation or variation from the residential character of the principal building and neighborhood is permitted.
Please call the Commissioner of the Revenue at (540) 665-5609 for information on obtaining a Frederick County Business License.- Meetings of the Board of Supervisors shall not continue for more than four (4) consecutive hours or later than 11:00 p.m. without the consent of a majority of the members present. Any items not taken up by the Board prior to adjourning will be added to the agenda of the next meeting without further action of the Board.
The home business I want to operate does not meet the requirements of a Home Occupation. Do I have any other options?
Yes, depending on the scale of the business another option is to seek a conditional use permit (CUP) from the County for a cottage occupation.
Cottage occupations may be operated out of the home or an accessory building on the property, up to ten (10) persons, not residing on the premise, including customers and/or employees may be permitted and a sign may also be permitted.
Cottage occupations still need to be incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for residential purposes.
Please note that a conditional use permit is not guaranteed, they must be applied at the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors of Frederick County has the ultimate decision on whether the permit is granted or denied.If you need more information on this subject, please contact the Planning Department at (540) 665-5651.
- Copies of the agenda and supporting documentation are available for public view at the County Administration Office at 107 N. Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia. In addition the agenda and supporting documentation is available online at www.fcva.us/bos. The Handley Regional Library located at Braddock and Piccadilly Streets, Winchester, Virginia, and the Bowman Library located at 871 Tasker Road, Stephens City, Virginia, provide internet access and assistance to those wishing to download or print the agenda materials.
- Two citizen comment periods are furnished during every regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors. The first period occurs at the beginning of the meeting and is a time for citizens to address agenda items that are not scheduled for public hearing. Anyone wishing to address the Board during this period must register prior to the beginning of the meeting. Citizens should provide their name, issue they wish to address, and place of residence on the register.
The second citizen comment period occurs at the end of the meeting and is a time for citizens to address the Board on issues that are not part of the regular meeting agenda. Prior registration is not required; however, each speaker shall state their name and place of residence prior to their comments.
Any speaker wishing to address the Board during the citizen comment period is subject to a three minute time limit. If you notice that there is land being cleared or graded, it is possible that the land is being prepped for development.
Administrative applications (i.e. site plans, master development plans, and subdivision design plans) under review or recently approved by the Department of Planning and Development can be reviewed online using the Current Planning Applications page on the department website.If you need more information on this subject, please contact the Planning Department at (540) 665-5651.
In most cases, investigation of a zoning and subdivision violation and enforcement action happens when a citizen reports a potential violation. Types of violations that are typically reported include:
- Inoperable vehicles
- Inoperable or abandoned vehicles parked on private property.
- Commercial vehicles (such as tractor trailers, dump trucks, tow trucks, etc.) parked on private property in residential zone.
- Vehicles parked on commercial properties without screening/landscaping.
- Illegal residential & commercial business activities
- Overgrown grass
- Grass/weeds over 18" tall in the residential districts (Note: tall grass is not regulated in the RA district)
- Site Plan Violation (ex. Dead landscaping, improper screening, etc.)
- Excessive noise
- Excessive noise in an industrial or commercial district
All other noise complaints (i.e. residential related noise) should be directed to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (non-emergency phone 540-662-6162). To submit a violation, please visit the Frederick County at Your Service page. Your contact information is required in order to investigate the complaint. Please note that complainant information is strictly confidential and will not be provided to the public. If you would like to submit a violation complaint on a topic not found below, please call the Department of Planning & Development at (540) 665-5651.
- Inoperable vehicles
I live in a homeowners/community association and/or there are private convenants on my property - what does that mean?
Homeowner/community associations restrictions and private covenants are not regulated by Frederick County. Private covenants may further restrict the use of private property beyond those regulations in the Frederick County Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance.
Questions regarding the use of private covenants/restrictions should be directed to your homeowner’s association. If a homeowner’s association has not yet been established for your community, you should contact the developer of your property directly.
A subdivision plat must be submitted for review and approval by the County, prior to recordation of any land division, in all zoning districts.
The minimum lot size in Frederick County for property in the RA (Rural Areas) zoning district is a tradition 5-acre lot. On any parcel which contained seven (7) acres or more prior to December 11, 1991, lots as small as two acres may be created, provided that the following conditions are met:
- Lots are conveyed to members of the immediate family of the owner of record of the parent tract. The conveyed lot(s) shall remain with the family member for a period of five years from the date of the creation of the family lot.
- Only one such lot shall be permitted per immediate family member.
- One parcel of at least five acres in size shall remain intact following the division.
- The creation of all such lots shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Frederick County Subdivision Ordinance and § 15.2-2244 of the Code of Virginia.
If you need more information on this subject, please contact the Planning Department at (540) 665-5651.
- No; there is no formal process. However, any contractual dispute concerning a question of fact as a result of a contract with the County which is not disposed of by agreement shall be decided by the County Administrator, who shall reduce a decision to writing and mail or otherwise forward a copy to the Contractor within ninety (90) days. The decision of the County Administrator shall be final and conclusive unless the Contractor appeals within six (6) months of the date of the final written decision by instituting legal action as provided in the Code of Virginia. A Contractor may not institute legal action, prior to receipt of the County Administrator’s decision on the claim, unless the County fails to render such decision within the time specified.
When competitive negotiation is the method of procurement, the following factors may be considered in determining the most qualified firm or individual:
- Any special qualifications or requirements set forth in the proposal documents.
- Qualifications of the project manager and project teams.
- Overall qualifications and experience of the firm and any subcontractors.
- Quality of the proposal and its responsiveness to the request.
- The sufficiency of financial resources and ability of the bidder to perform the contract to provide the services.
- Financial ability of the firm to perform future maintenance and service.
- Cost estimates (which may or may not be required at the time of submission of the proposal, depending upon the circumstances).
The following factors may be considered, in addition to price, when determining the lowest responsible bidder and the responsiveness of the bid:
- The ability, capacity, and skill of the bidder to perform the contract.
- Whether the bidder can perform the contract or provide the service promptly, or within the time specified.
- The character, integrity, reputation, judgment, experience, and efficiency of the bidder.
- The quality of performance of previous contracts or services.
- The previous and existing compliance by the bidder with laws and ordinances relating to the contract or service.
- The sufficiency of financial resources and ability of the bidder to perform the contract or provide the service.
- The quality, availability and adaptability of the goods or services to the particular use required.
- The ability of the bidder to perform future maintenance and service for use of the subject of the contract.
- The number and scope of conditions attached to the bid.
- Any other condition or criteria included in the request for bids or instructions for bidders.
$0 up to $4,999.99 Competition is not required, although it is strongly encouraged. $5,000 - $9,999.99 ONE (1) written quote required.
$10,000 - $99,999.99
Goods & Non-Professional Services
$10,000 - $79,999.99
Professional Services
(Purchase Order Required)
The use of eVA is required to publicly post Requests for Quotes, Unsealed Bids, Unsealed Proposals., etc.
In lieu of eVA, a rideable or cooperative contract is permitted.$100,000+
Goods & Non-Professional Services
IFB - Invitation for Bids
$80,000+
Professional Services
RFP - Request for Proposals
(Purchase Order Required)
Formally advertised solicitation procedures required (IFB/RFP). Contact Missi Neal, Purchasing Manager for further guidance. - FCVA identifies Small purchases as those purchases that are under $10,000 where vendors are easy to identify and Departments are able to manage the procurement process internally. Quotes, Purchase Orders and/or Single Term Contracts may be required.
- FCVA requires purchases between $10,000 and $99,999 (Goods and Non-Professional Services) or $79,999 (Professional Services) to be competitively solicited through the use of Requests for Quotes, Quick Quotes, Unsealed Bids, or Unsealed Proposals.
- Purchases expected to exceed $100,000 (Goods & Non-Professional Services) or $80,000 (Professional Services) are formally solicited through either an Invitation for Bid or a Request for Proposal, which shall be posted on eVA a minimum of 10-days. Per the Virginia Public Procurement Act, Professional Services are: accounting, actuarial services, architecture, dentistry, land surveying, landscape architecture, law, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, or professional engineering.