Hanover County, VA Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)

Hanover County treats docks as water-dependent facilities because, by their nature, they must sit on the shoreline. Under § 10-40(a), land development within a Resource Protection Area (RPA), the 100-foot vegetated buffer and tidal/wetland strip along perennial streams, is restricted: it is allowed only if it conforms to the general performance criteria of Chapter 10, Article II, is water-dependent (like a boat dock or marina), constitutes redevelopment, is a permitted encroachment, or is a qualifying road, driveway or stormwater facility crossing. Any land disturbance within an RPA first requires a water quality impact assessment (WQIA) under § 10-40(a)(1) and § 10-43, prepared by a qualified professional and reviewed by the Director of Public Works.

For a new or expanded dock or marina, § 10-40(a)(2) requires that the project not conflict with the county comprehensive plan, comply with the article's performance criteria, keep any non-water-dependent component such as parking or storage buildings outside the RPA, and minimize disturbance for access, using a single access point where practicable. The applicant must also show compliance with the RPA's 100-foot buffer requirements in § 10-40(b) and obtain any required federal or state wetlands permits under § 10-39(c) before grading begins. The director may grant an exception to these criteria only through the process in § 10-46, which for RPA development criteria goes to the Planning Commission after a public hearing under Va. 2-2204.