Although each development is different, a project may fit into various stages of: Legislative Review, Approved Legislative Action, Site Design Review, Approved Site Design, and Under Construction, before it is built. This Development Process Graphic shows the process in a simplified manner.

The Albemarle County Architectural Review Board (ARB) typically meets at 1:00 PM on the first and third Monday of each month, with the meeting day shifting to Tuesday when there is a Monday holiday. The ARB submittal deadline and meeting schedule can be found here. Note that applications must be received by 3:00 PM on the submittal deadline date. Associated fees are listed in the application form.

ARB applications are needed when a property that is being developed under a site plan or building permit is located within an Entrance Corridor Overlay Zoning District. Only complete applications will be scheduled for review. Complete applications include an application form (found here), a submittal checklist (found here) corresponding to the appropriate review type chosen on the application form, and the plans and other documents outlined in the submittal checklist.

If you have questions about the ARB process, contact Margaret Maliszewski at mmaliszewski@albemarle.org or Khris Taggart at ktaggart@albemarle.org.

Deadlines for submitting applications for the review of Site Development Plans, Subdivision Plats and Tier II Wireless Facilities can be found here. Note that applications must be received by 3:00 PM on the submittal deadline date. Associated fees are listed in the application form. Only complete applications will be scheduled for review. Ready to Apply? Get an application here.

If you have questions about the site development plan or subdivision review processes, contact Rebecca Ragsdale at rragsdale@albemarle.org or Cameron Langille at blangille@albemarle.org.

To efficiently manage and track Special Use Permit (SP) and Zoning Map Amendment (ZMA) applications, and assist in scheduling for Planning Commission and Board of Supervisor agendas, Albemarle County sets a schedule which defines the submittal and resubmittal dates for these type of applications for the year. Submittal dates for new applications are typically the third Monday of every month and resubmittal dates are the first and third Monday of every month unless it is necessary to alter the schedule due to a County Holiday. The current year’s SP and ZMA submittal deadlines can be found here. Note that applications must be received by 3:00 PM on the submittal deadline date. Associated fees are listed in the application form.

A Zoning Map Amendment (ZMA) application is needed when an applicant seeks to change the zoning district that applies to one or more parcels of land. A Special Use Permit (SP) application is required when the proposed use is defined as a special use in the Zoning Ordinance as opposed to a by-right use. Only complete applications will be scheduled for review. Additional information on these applications including the application forms can be found here.

If you have questions about the SP or ZMA process, contact Rebecca Ragsdale at rragsdale@albemarle.org.

The Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) typically meets at 2:00 pm on the first Tuesday of each month. The submittal deadline and meeting schedule for Variances can be found here. Note that applications must be received by 3:00 pm on the submittal deadline date. Associated fees are listed on the application form.

Please click here for more information and to download a Variance application.

Please click here for more information about the BZA.

If you have questions about the Variance process, contact the Zoning Administrator, Bart Svoboda, at bsvoboda@albemarle.org.

• Staff Analysis of ZMA and SP Applications