Environmental Rules in Prince William County, VA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Prince William County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Prince William County runs a stormwater management program under Code Chapter 23.2, funded by a monthly fee on every developed parcel. Discharging anything but stormwater into the storm sewer system is unlawful, and knowing violations are a Class 1 misdemeanor with civil penalties up to $1,000 per day.
Stormwater Rules in Prince William County, VA
Significant RestrictionsPWC Code § 23.2-4.1
It shall be a violation of this article for any person to discharge: (1)Any wastes, trash, garbage, or any matter causing or aiding pollution on any property in the County in any manner so as to allow such to be washed into any stormwater system by storm or floodwater. (2)Any grass clippings, mulch, or yard waste, animal carcasses and other wastes into the stormwater system, or do any injury to...
Erosion Control
Prince William County will not issue a grading, building or land disturbance permit until the developer has a consolidated stormwater and land disturbance permit backed by an approved erosion and sediment control plan under the county's Design and Construction Standards Manual. Once clearing stops for more than 14 days, exposed soil must be stabilized immediately. Violators face court-ordered civil penalties up to $32,500 per day, plus criminal charges.
Erosion and Sediment Control, Prince William County
Some RestrictionsPWC Code §§ 23.2-30, 23.2-31, 23.2-46
(a)No person shall engage in any land disturbing activity until a consolidated stormwater and land disturbance permit has been issued with the provisions of this article...(3)An erosion and sediment control plan approved in accordance with section 750.00 of the Prince William County design and construction standards manual and this article...(8)Stabilization of disturbed areas must, at a minimu...
Flood Zones
Any development inside Prince William County's Flood Hazard Overlay District, from grading to placing a manufactured home, needs a zoning permit issued by the Floodplain Administrator under Zoning Ordinance Part 501. Floodway construction is barred outright unless it fits a narrow low-impact use list; floodway fringe work still needs a permit meeting FEMA flood-map standards.
Floodplain Development Rules in Prince William County
Significant RestrictionsPWC Zoning Ordinance § 32-501.07
All uses, activities, and development occurring within any floodplain district, including placement of manufactured homes, shall be undertaken only upon the issuance of a zoning permit. Such development shall be undertaken only in strict compliance with this part and with all other applicable codes and ordinances, including, but not limited to, the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC...
Boat Dock Permits
Prince William County allows piers, boathouses and catwalks in tidal wetlands without a separate permit under Sec. 2-153, but only if built on pilings that preserve tidal flow. Any other wetlands development needs a Wetlands Board permit under Sec. 2-154, backed by a nonrefundable fee.
Boat Dock and Pier Permits in Wetlands, PWC
Some RestrictionsPWC Code Sec. 2-153(1); Sec. 2-154
The following uses of and activities in wetlands are authorized if otherwise permitted by law: (1)The construction and maintenance of catwalks, piers, boathouses, boat shelters, fences, duckblinds, wildlife management shelters, footbridges, observation decks, and shelters and other similar structures, provided that such structures are so constructed on pilings as to permit the reasonably unobst...
All Prince William County ordinances
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