Environmental Rules in Hanover County, VA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Hanover County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Hanover County Code Section 10-7 bars land-disturbing activity until the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Program authority issues a land-disturbance permit, and Section 10-5 sets the size thresholds, generally 10,000 square feet outside Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas or 2,500 square feet inside them, that trigger the permit and technical review.
Hanover County Stormwater Management Permits
Some RestrictionsHanover County Code §§ 10-2(a), 10-7, 10-17(c)
(a)The purpose of this article is to (1) ensure the general health, safety, and welfare of the county's residents; (2) protect water quality, stream channels, other natural resources, and the quality and quantity of state waters from the potential harm of unmanaged stormwater and soil erosion, including protection from land-disturbing activity causing unreasonable degradation of properties; and...
Erosion Control
Hanover County requires an approved erosion and sediment control plan under Code § 10-11 before any regulated land-disturbing activity begins, in Hanover County outside the Town of Ashland. The plan must meet Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook and county drainage standards, and steep cut or fill slopes need engineered stabilization.
Erosion and Sediment Control in Hanover County
Some RestrictionsHanover County Code § 10-11
(a)An erosion and sediment control plan, which is a component of the ESM plan, shall be filed for a development and the buildings constructed within, regardless of the phasing of construction.(b)The erosion and sediment control plan shall detail those methods and techniques to be used in controlling erosion and sedimentation. At a minimum, the plan shall comply with the standards prescribed by ...
Flood Zones
Any use, activity or development inside Hanover County's Flood Hazard Overlay District, including placing a manufactured home, needs a permit before work starts, in Hanover County outside the Town of Ashland. Sections 26-235.1 and 26-235.17 tie the district to the National Flood Insurance Program and require strict compliance with the county's floodplain rules and the Uniform Statewide Building Code.
Hanover County Flood Hazard Overlay Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsHanover County Code §§ 26-235.1, 26-235.17
This division is adopted to satisfy the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). ... a.All uses, activities and development occurring within any Flood Hazard Overlay District, including placement of manufactured homes, shall be undertaken only upon the issuance of a permit.b.Such development shall be undertaken only in strict compliance with this division and with all other ...
Boat Dock Permits
Marinas and other boat docking structures are water-dependent facilities, so a new or expanded dock inside a Resource Protection Area needs approval from the Director of Public Works under § 10-40(a), a Water Quality Impact Assessment, and compliance with four listed conditions on plan consistency, performance criteria, location of non-water-dependent parts, and access.
Hanover County Boat Dock and Marina Rules in Bay RPAs
Significant RestrictionsHanover County Code §§ 10-33, 10-40
Water-dependent facility. A development of land that cannot exist outside of a resource protection area and must be located on the shoreline by reason of the intrinsic nature of its operation. These facilities include, but are not limited to: (1) Ports; (2) The intake and outfall structures of power plants, water treatment plants, sewage treatment plants, and storm sewers; (3) Marinas and other...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New construction and substantial improvements in Hanover County's AE and A flood zones must have the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated to at least one foot above the base flood elevation, in Hanover County outside the Town of Ashland. Section 26-235.19 applies the same one-foot freeboard to both residential and nonresidential buildings.
Hanover County Base Flood Elevation Freeboard
Some RestrictionsHanover County Code § 26-235.19
a.Residential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) in Zones AE and A with detailed base flood elevations shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood level plus one (1) foot. ... b.Nonresidential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any commercial, ind...
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