Land disturbing permits
A land disturbing permit is required when disturbing more than 10,000 square feet of land. This includes clearing, grading, excavation, transporting and filling of land. In order to obtain a land disturbing permit, an erosion and sediment control plan must be submitted to the Director of Engineering and Regulatory Compliance for review and approval, plan review fees paid, and surety provided.
Land disturbing activities involving the construction of a single family residence may sign an agreement in lieu of submitting an erosion and sediment control plan.
To help you determine whether you need a land disturbing permit, please
email the following information:
- Contact details
- Area to be disturbed in square feet or acres
- Purpose of land disturbing activity, such as building a house, clearing land for a farm, etc.
- Location of the land disturbing activity (street address, if available)
- Indicate whether the land disturbing activity is in a subdivision
How do I obtain a land disturbing permit?
An erosion and sediment control plan for the proposed project may be submitted for review and approval by the Director of Engineering and Regulatory Compliance. Plans may be submitted as attachments to
email, mailed or brought to the Engineering and Regulatory Compliance office at the County Government Center, 755 Roanoke St., Suite 1C Christiansburg, VA 24073.
The Director of Engineering and Regulatory Compliance will review your plans and send a review letter listing areas needing clarification or approval of the plans. If the plans are approved, the permit fees will be calculated by the disturbed area shown on the approved plans. An estimation of erosion and sediment costs will also be provided, which determines the bond, letter of credit or cash required for surety.
The plan review fee and bond, cash escrow or irrevocable letter of credit to cover the completion of the approved plan must be sent, along with a signed certification that the approved erosion and sediment control plan will be followed.
List of exceptions