▼

Site Wide FAQs

Show All Answers

1. Where do I get a business license?

Contact the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office or visit the Commissioner's Office in person, Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at: 212 N Main Street Bowling Green, VA 22427 Contact the

Commissioner of the Revenue.

2. Where do I buy a dog license?

All dog owners must purchase an annual license for all dogs4 months of age or older. Licenses may be purchased at the Treasurer's Office located at 212 N Main Street in Bowling Green. A certificate of vaccination must accompany license applications. The cost is $5 per individual dog. For more information, visit the Treasurer's Office page.

Treasurer's Office page.

3. When and where does the Board of Supervisors (BOS) meet?

On odd-number months such as January and March, etc., 2 meetings will be held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays. On even-numbered months such as February, April, etc., the BOS will hold only 1 meeting on the 2nd Tuesday. Work sessions are also scheduled throughout the year as required. All regular meetings are held at the Auditorium of the Community Services Center, 17202 Richmond Turnpike, Milford, VA 22514. For more information, contact the County Administrator's Office at 633-5380 or

visit their webpage.

4. How can I rent County facilities?

The main county park on Devils Three Jump Road and other recreational facilities (such as miniparks) may be rented by contacting the Recreation Department at 804-633-7277. The Community Services Center auditorium, conference rooms and gymnasium may be reserved by contacting the Recreation Department as well. Fees may apply.

Facilities

5. Where do I register to vote?

County citizens can register to vote at the Registrar's Office located at 212 North Main Street in Bowling Green. Voters must register at least 29 days prior to the election in which they wish to participate. For more information, call 804-633-9083 or visit the

Voting Registrar page.

6. Where do I get a 911 address?

The Department of Planning and Community Development is responsible for assigning 911 addresses. The office is located at 233 West Broaddus Avenue in Bowling Green (next to McDonald's). For more information, call the office at 804-633-4303 or

visit the Planning page.

7. Who do I contact about a County street sign being down?

Contact the Department of Public Works at 804-633-4386 or

visit their webpage for more information.

8. Who do I contact about senior citizens programs?

Contact the Department of Parks and Recreation at 804-633-7277 or the Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging at 540-371-3375. For more information, please

visit the Parks and Recreation page.

9. Where do I get a septic permit?

Septic permits may be obtained from the local office of the Virginia Department of Health located at 17722 Richmond Turnpike adjacent to Social Services. Please call 804-633-5465 for more information.

10. Who do I call about stray animals?

Contact Animal Control at 804-633-9041. If after normal business hours and deemed to be a non-emergency, your call will be returned the following day. For more information, visit the

animal control page of the Sheriff's website.

11. Who do I call to get my road fixed?

Roads in Caroline County are maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Contact VDOT at 540-899-4300 for more information or

visit their website.

12. How can I get on an RFP listing?

Contact the Finance Department at 804-633-5380 or visit the

Finance page.

13. How do I find out who my supervisor is for my district?

Contact the Registrar's Office at 804-633-9083 or

visit the Voting Registrar page.

14. Who do I call with a question about cable television?

Contact your service provider at the phone number listed on the bill. Caroline County serves as the franchise agent for all cable television service providers in Caroline. If you are unable to resolve a concern to your satisfaction, contact the County Administrator's Office at 804-633-5380.

15. Who do I call about tax relief for the elderly or disabled?

Contact the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office or visit the Commissioner's Office in person, Monday - Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at: 212 N Main Street Bowling Green, VA 22427 For more information,

contact the Commissioner's Office.

16. Where do I find information about tax rates?

Visit the

Commissioner of the Revenue's Office page.

17. Where do I take my trash?

The County operates 8 solid waste convenience sites located throughout the County. The majority of household solid waste can be disposed of at these facilities. For a site location near you and operating hours, visit the

Department of Public Works web page.

18. How can I contact the Caroline County Board of Supervisors?

Access contact information for the

Board of Supervisors.

19. How do I apply for a job with Caroline County?

Job openings are posted on the County website and advertised in The Caroline Progress. Many openings are also advertised in The Free Lance-Star. All applicants must complete a Caroline County employment application available online, or by contacting the County Administrator's Office at 804-633-5380 or

via their webpage.

20. What are the hours of operation for County government offices?

Most County offices are open from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Some offices, including constitutional officers, operate on a slightly different schedule. For specific office hours, refer to individual web pages or call the office in question.

21. Where should I go to research property records?

Property records can be researched at the Clerk of the Circuit Court located in the main County courthouse on the corner of Main Street and Courthouse Lane in Bowling Green. Contact the Clerk by telephone at 804-633-5800 or visit the

Circuit Court page.

22. What laws and regulations govern land use in Caroline County?

Land use in Caroline County is governed by 3 primary documents: - The Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Map - The zoning ordinance - The subdivision ordinance View the

Comprehensive Plan online.

23. What is a Comprehensive Plan?

State law requires every board of supervisors in the Commonwealth to adopt a comprehensive plan and to update the plan at least every five years. The plan is a set of documents that describes the County’s vision of future development. It typically includes maps, plats, charts and other descriptive data. The Comprehensive Plan assists localities in deciding if, when and where to stimulate growth and to prepare for its consequences. The current plan contains several sub-area plans that offer a vision for what future development in certain communities of the County should look like. Current sub-area plans include Ladysmith, Carmel Church, Port Royal, Cedon, Dawn, Chilesburg, Skinker's Neck and Bowling Green/Milford. Many sub-area plans were developed by a committee made up of local residents. Each component was reviewed and approved by the Board of Supervisors following public meetings and public hearings. Copies of the comprehensive plan may be obtained by contacting the Planning Department at 804-633-4303 or by visiting the

Comprehensive Plan page.

24. 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.

25. What is a subdivision ordinance?

The governing body of each Virginia locality must also adopt an ordinance to assure the orderly subdivision and development of land. Subdivision is the process of creating one or more new lots from an existing parcel. The subdivision ordinance includes regulations and development standards for matters such as: - The coordination of streets as to location, interconnections, widths, grades and drainage - The dedication of land for streets, public utility easements and other public improvements - Drainage and flood control - Minimum lot size - Other matters related to land subdivision, the filing of plats and the payment of future development costs - Street surfacing and the installation of water, storm and sanitary sewers, public utilities and other community facilities The purpose of all zoning and land use regulations is to promote and improve the public health, safety, convenience and welfare.

26. What is a Rezoning?

A rezoning is required when a property owner proposes to use land for purposes that are not permitted by the current zoning classification. Rezonings always require a public hearing before the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. Caroline County uses a conditional rezoning process. A conditional request proposes to change the existing zoning district classification to another classification, which permits the proposed use. Additionally, it allows the owner to voluntarily proffer (offer) conditions and/or cash payments which may enhance the proposal, address concerns of nearby property owners and mitigate the fiscal impact of the proposed use. Proffers are similar to covenants, in that they "run" with the land. Once the Board of Supervisors has accepted proffers, however, any changes require a proffer amendment request and public hearings before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. For more information,

visit the Planning Commission page.

27. What is a Special Exception/Use Permit?

The Special Exception/Use Permit (SEUP) procedure provides for certain uses which are permitted in a district, but may require conditions or restrictions that make them compatible with surrounding properties. For example, telecommunication towers require a SEUP. The main differences between a special exception/use permit and a rezoning request are that the SEUP is always for a specific use (such as a telecommunications tower or pool hall), and the County can set the conditions for approval of the permit. In a rezoning request, the applicant voluntarily proposes conditions (proffers) that the County can either accept or reject. Special Exceptions/Use Permits always require a public hearing before the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors.

28. What is a Subdivision?

Subdivision is the process of creating one or more new lots from an existing parcel. The Department of Planning and Community Development must review subdivision of land and a subdivision plat must be recorded whenever a single parcel is divided into lots. There are some exceptions, such as a family subdivision. The Planning Commission approves the preliminary and final subdivision plats. For more information,

visit the Planning page.

29. What is a Site Plan?

A site plan is a document prepared by an engineer or surveyor, licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia, which is drawn to scale showing the proposed improvements for a parcel of land. A site plan is required for all proposed land uses except single-family dwellings and non-intensive agricultural operations. All site plans must be submitted to the Department of Planning and Community Development to receive approval. An approved site plan is required before issuance of building or land disturbing permits.

30. When is a building/zoning permit required?

A building/zoning permit is required for all man-made improvements to real property. Man-made improvements include new homes, additions, renovations, remodeling, a change in use (for example, conversion from a home furnishings store to a restaurant) and accessory buildings/structures over 150 square feet. However, if the accessory building/structure is less than 150 square feet and will have electric/plumbing service or is used in conjunction with a home occupation, it will need to have a building/zoning permit.

31. When is a certified house location plat required?

A certified house location plat is required when you apply for a building/zoning permit for a new home, addition, or an accessory building over 150 square feet on lots less than 3 acres in size. Note: In Lake Land'Or, Lake Caroline, Bridlewood, Tanglewood, Belmont, Ladysmith Village, Pendleton and Caroline Pines, a certified house location plat is required.

32. What is a certified house location plat?

This is a survey that has been performed by a surveyor, engineer or architect who is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

33. May I have more than 1 house on my property?

No.

34. What is required on a (non-surveyed) plat plan for a building/zoning permit?

In order to get a building/zoning permit, you will need to use an existing plat of your property and draw to scale the proposed location of your house (principal dwelling) and/or the location of any proposed or existing accessory building/structure.

You will need to show the exact distance from each property line to the outside walls of the proposed structure(s). You will also need to show the distance between any proposed accessory building/structure and your proposed house location. The use of distances written as 100 feet or more does not meet the drawn to scale requirement and will result in a delay in processing your permit request.

35. What are setbacks?

A setback is the required yard(s) or open space that surrounds a building.

36. What is my setback (how to determine)?

Find out how you determine a setback.

37. What is an accessory building/structure?

An accessory building/structure may be any of the following:
- Barn
- Carport
- Detached garage
- In-ground or above ground pool, or similar structures not intended to provide living quarters
- Storage building/shed (metal, prefab, stick-built)

Note: The following cannot be used as an accessory building/structure:
- Camper
- Mobile/manufactured home
- Recreational vehicle
- Semi-trailer
- Shipping container
- Vehicle or portions of a vehicle

38. May I construct an accessory building/structure before I build my house?

No, the principal structure/use (house) must be established prior to the construction of an accessory building/structure.

39. Is there a height limit for my accessory building/structure?

Yes, it cannot exceed the height of the principal structure (house).

40. What is the maximum size for an accessory building/structure?

The lesser of 30% of the minimum lot size for the zoning district or an area equal to the size of the principal structure.

For example: R-1 zoning with a minimum lot size of 25,000 square feet (0.57 acres), the maximum size of the accessory building/structure is 7,500 square feet.

However, the principal structure is only 2,000 square feet. Therefore, the maximum size of all accessory buildings/structures is 2,000 square feet.

41. May I place an accessory building/structure in my front yard?

No, only in the rear or side yard.

42. What is the setback for an accessory building/structure?

Setback requirements are as follows:
- An accessory building/structure has to be at least 5 feet from the rear and side lot lines.
- An accessory building/structure has to be at least 10 feet from the principal structure (house).
- An accessory building/structure has to be 6 feet from all other accessory buildings/structures on the lot.
- Accessory buildings/structures have to be 40 feet from all public rights-of-way, easements and streets.

43. What is the setback for an accessory building/structure on a double frontage lot (a road frontage on the front and rear)?

The accessory structure must meet the front yard setback from the road frontage at the rear of the lot.

44. Do I need a building/zoning permit for an accessory structure, which is less than 150 square feet?

No, a building permit is not required unless you will be hooking up electrical or plumbing service to the structure.

45. Is a building/zoning permit required for a fence/wall?

No, a building permit is not required for a fence/wall. However, if you are constructing a privacy fence/wall it may not exceed 7 feet in height in the rear and side yards. The maximum height of a fence/wall in the front yard is 3 feet. Additionally, on corner lots, all types of fences/walls shall not obstruct sight distance at the intersection.

46. What is the setback for a fence/wall?

No, setback requirement for a fence/wall. The fence/wall can be placed on the property line.

47. Do I need a sign permit?

Yes, all signs erected in Caroline County require a building/zoning permit. Find these on the Planning Department page.

48. What is the maximum permitted size and height of a sign?

Rural Preservation (RP) and Agricultural Preservation (AP) Zoning District requirements depend on the zoning district as follows:
- Business Signs -the maximum sign height is 20 feet, the aggregate area of all signs is 50 square feet, and only 1 free standing sign per parcel.
- Temporary Event Signs- the maximum height is 20 feet, the aggregate area of all signs is 16 square feet, and only 2 signs is permitted on a parcel.
- Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, RR-2, RR-5)
- Home Occupation Signs- maximum height is 8 feet, maximum area is 4 square feet, and only 1 sign permitted on a parcel.
- Temporary Event Signs-maximum height is 8 feet, maximum area is 4 square feet, and only 1 sign permitted on a parcel.

Business (B-1) and Industrial (M-1) Zoning Districts-for these districts, refer questions to staff via e-mail, voice mail and/or written messages.