What is a zoning ordinance?

Zoning allows the County to regulate land use according to the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan and prevent incompatible land uses within designated areas. The Zoning Ordinance contains text and maps dividing the County into districts, showing the regulations that apply in each district and providing for enforcement, variances, conditional zoning, special exceptions, appeals and penalties. It enables the County to regulate, restrict, permit and prohibit the following in each district: - Areas and dimensions of land, water and air to be occupied by buildings, structures, and uses and courts, yards, and other open spaces to be left unoccupied by uses and structures, including variations in the sizes of lots based on whether public water/sewer systems are available or used - Determine the use of land, buildings & structures and other premises for agricultural, business, industrial, residential, flood plain, and other specific uses - Excavation or mining of soil or other natural resources - Size, height, area, bulk, location, erecting, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, maintenance, razing and removal of structures For additional information on the Zoning Ordinance, contact the Planning Department at 804-633-4303 or

visit their webpage.

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3. When and where does the Board of Supervisors (BOS) meet?
4. How can I rent County facilities?
5. Where do I register to vote?
6. Where do I get a 911 address?
7. Who do I contact about a County street sign being down?
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9. Where do I get a septic permit?
10. Who do I call about stray animals?
11. Who do I call to get my road fixed?
12. How can I get on an RFP listing?
13. How do I find out who my supervisor is for my district?
14. Who do I call with a question about cable television?
15. Who do I call about tax relief for the elderly or disabled?
16. Where do I find information about tax rates?
17. Where do I take my trash?
18. How can I contact the Caroline County Board of Supervisors?
19. How do I apply for a job with Caroline County?
20. What are the hours of operation for County government offices?
21. Where should I go to research property records?
22. What laws and regulations govern land use in Caroline County?
23. What is a Comprehensive Plan?
24. What is a zoning ordinance?
25. What is a subdivision ordinance?
26. What is a Rezoning?
27. What is a Special Exception/Use Permit?
28. What is a Subdivision?
29. What is a Site Plan?
30. When is a building/zoning permit required?
31. When is a certified house location plat required?
32. What is a certified house location plat?
33. May I have more than 1 house on my property?
34. What is required on a (non-surveyed) plat plan for a building/zoning permit?
35. What are setbacks?
36. What is my setback (how to determine)?
37. What is an accessory building/structure?
38. May I construct an accessory building/structure before I build my house?
39. Is there a height limit for my accessory building/structure?
40. What is the maximum size for an accessory building/structure?
41. May I place an accessory building/structure in my front yard?
42. What is the setback for an accessory building/structure?
43. What is the setback for an accessory building/structure on a double frontage lot (a road frontage on the front and rear)?
44. Do I need a building/zoning permit for an accessory structure, which is less than 150 square feet?
45. Is a building/zoning permit required for a fence/wall?
46. What is the setback for a fence/wall?
47. Do I need a sign permit?
48. What is the maximum permitted size and height of a sign?