Environmental Rules in Frederick County, VA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Frederick County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Frederick County requires a stormwater permit before most land-disturbing projects break ground. Under §§ 143-125(B) and 143-165 of the County Code, the Public Works Department runs the Virginia Stormwater Management Program and will not issue a permit until it approves a stormwater management plan for the site.
Frederick County Stormwater Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsFrederick County Code §§ 143-125(B), 143-225(B)(1), (3)(a)
B. No person shall conduct a VSMP land-disturbing activity as defined in § 143-110 until a Frederick County land-disturbing permit as required in Subsection A and a VESMP authority permit have been obtained from the Administrator and maintains in good standing a permit entitling such person and any contractor or agent of such person to conduct such activity. No permit involving a VSMP land-dist...
Erosion Control
Frederick County requires an approved erosion and sediment control plan before any land-disturbing construction starts. Under § 143-125(A) of the County Code, no land-disturbing permit issues without that plan, and a violation can bring a Class I misdemeanor charge plus a civil penalty.
Frederick County Erosion and Sediment Control Permit
Significant RestrictionsFrederick County Code §§ 143-125(A), 143-160(C)(4), 143-225(A)(1), (2)
A. No person shall conduct a VESCP land-disturbing activity as defined in § 143-110 until the County land-disturbing permit has been obtained from the Administrator ... No permit involving land-disturbing activity will be issued without an approved erosion and sediment control plan by Frederick County and certification that the plan will be carried out by the designated responsible land disturb...
Flood Zones
In Frederick County outside Winchester, Stephens City and Middletown, any use, activity or development inside the Floodplain Overlay District needs a permit before work starts. New and substantially improved residential structures in mapped A, A1-30, AE and AH zones must have the lowest floor elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation.
Floodplain Development Rules in Frederick County
Significant RestrictionsFrederick County Code §§ 165-503.13, 165-503.15, 165-503.17
Permit requirement. ... All uses, activities, and development occurring within any floodplain district, including placement of manufactured homes, shall be undertaken only upon the issuance of a permit. ... Residential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) in Zones A1-30, AE, AH, and A with detailed BFEs shall have ...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In Frederick County outside Winchester, Stephens City and Middletown, new and substantially improved buildings inside a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area must sit at least one foot above the Base Flood Elevation. Section 165-503.15 of the Floodplain Overlay District sets that one-foot freeboard for both residential and nonresidential construction, with a floodproofing alternative for commercial and industrial buildings.
Frederick County VA Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsFrederick County Code § 165-503.15
§ 165-503.15. Elevation and construction standards. A. In all SFHAs where BFEs have been provided in the FIS or generated by a certified professional according to § 165-503.10C of this chapter, the following provisions shall apply: (1) Residential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) in Zones A1-30, AE, AH, and A w...
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