Environmental Rules in Albemarle County, VA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Albemarle County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Albemarle County outside Charlottesville and Scottsville bars land-disturbing activity until the owner has an approved stormwater management plan and land-disturbance permit under County Code § 17-104, and every property owner along a private storm drainage system or natural stream must keep it clear of refuse under § 17-802.
Albemarle County Stormwater Drainage Rules
Significant RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code §§ 17-104, 17-802
No owner may engage in land-disturbing activity subject to this chapter, or allow land-disturbing activity to occur, on its property, until: A.Soil erosion control and stormwater management plan approved. The owner has submitted to the administrator an ESM plan for the land-disturbing activity, the administrator has reviewed and approved the plan, and all other prerequisites to engaging in land...
Erosion Control
Before any land-disturbing activity in Albemarle County outside Charlottesville and Scottsville, owners must get an erosion and sediment control plan approved under County Code § 17-402, covering temporary and permanent controls, maintenance duties, and a certified responsible land disturber, or face a civil penalty of up to $32,500 per violation under § 17-904.
Albemarle County Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
Significant RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code §§ 17-402, 17-904
Any owner whose proposed land-disturbing activity is subject to this chapter must submit a soil erosion and sediment control plan for review that includes the following, in the form required by the administrator: ... an erosion and sediment control plan that contains all of the following elements:1.Temporary and permanent controls. The specifications for temporary and permanent controls of soil...
Flood Zones
In Albemarle County outside Charlottesville and Scottsville, the Flood Hazard Overlay District (FH) under § 18-30.3 covers every parcel within the special flood hazard areas on the Flood Insurance Rate Map. Since April 2, 2014, no land there may be developed and no structure built, moved, enlarged or altered without a floodplain development permit issued by the county's floodplain administrator.
Albemarle County Floodplain Development Rules
Significant RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code § 18-30.3.3
A.Territory. Section 30.3 shall apply to all privately and publicly owned lands within the county that are identified as being within a special flood hazard area according to the Flood Insurance Rate Map provided to the county by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. ... C.New uses and development. On and after April 2, 2014, no land shall be developed and no structure shall be located, relo...
Boat Dock Permits
Private boat docks on the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir may be built only under a permit from the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority. County Code § 11-304 also limits the reservoir to fishing, canoeing, and non-motorized boating by right, with motorized boating allowed only by RWSA permit, and it bans swimming, hunting, trapping, and camping outright.
Albemarle County Reservoir Boat Dock Permits
Some RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code § 11-304
C.Activities authorized only by permit. Boating with boats operated by internal combustion engines and the establishment of private boat docks are authorized within the boundaries of the reservoir only pursuant to a permit issued by the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority.D.Prohibited activities. Any activity not expressly permitted, including but not limited to, swimming, hunting, trapping or di...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In Albemarle County's flood hazard overlay district, any new or substantially improved residential building in a mapped special flood hazard area must have its lowest floor, basement included, raised to the freeboard elevation, one foot above the FEMA base flood elevation, while non-residential buildings can flood-proof to that same level instead of elevating.
Albemarle County Flood Freeboard Elevation Rule
Some RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code §§ 18-3.1, 18-30.3.15(B)(1)
Freeboard elevation. "Freeboard elevation" means the base flood elevation plus one foot. ... 1.Existing residential building. Any substantial improvement of any residential building, including any manufactured home, shall have the lowest floor, including the basement, elevated to or above the freeboard elevation.
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