General Questions
Q. What is a 100- year flood?
A. The term "100-year flood" does not pertain to a flood that occurs once every 100 years. Rather, it is the flood elevation that has a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded each year. Thus, a 100-year flood could occur more than once in a relatively short period of time.
Q. How can I find out what flood zone is assigned to my property?
A. Homeowners can find out which flood zone applies to their property by calling the Public Works Engineering Department at (757) 385-4131, or checking the flood insurance rate map. Maps can be viewed at the Central Library, and in the Public Works Engineering Office, Room 340, Building 2 at the Municipal Center. In addition, you can request a flood zone determination by completing an online form, which can be accessed from this page.
Additional information regarding the Flood Insurance Program, can be found here.
Q. What items are accepted for e-cycling?
A.
Commonly Recycled Electronics include:
Computers, servers, monitors, printers, cables, modems, speakers, scanners, networking hardware, power tools, televisions, VCRS, CD players, computer game items, fax and answering machines, audio and visual equipment, microwaves and other small kitchen appliances, non alkaline batteries, and miscellaneous electronic equipment.
Battery Recycling Locations
Click here for battery recycling locations.
Recycling Drop-off Sites
Click here to access the recycling drop-off sites.
E-cycling Drop-off Sites
Click here to access the local e-cycling locations.
Q. How can I properly dispose of old paint, lawn and garden pesticides/herbicides, and household or automotive chemicals and cleaners?
Location, Hours of Operation:
1989 Jake Sears Road (near Regent University off Centerville Turnpike)
Monday - Saturday, 7a.m - 4:30 p.m.
(757) 385-1980 (TTY 711)
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Q. What is the proper time of the year, and way, to plant a tree or a shrub?
A.Tree planting should be done during dormant winter months, most often after December 15th but before March 31st. However, planting can begin a little earlier or a little later in warmer or colder climates. Your nursery can help you decide.
Q. How do I plant a tree?
A.Planting a tree can enhance our quality of life and improve our health. Learn more...
Q. What do I need to know before I remove a tree?
A.Trees located in the Resource Protection Are(RPA) of the CBPA area may require mitigation. Please contact the Development Services Center at (757) 385-8277 with questions regarding submissions of a PPR request.
Q. Where do I obtain a septic tank permit?
Q. How do I maintain my existing septic system?
A. Maintaining your septic system properly is vital. Therefore, in order to avoid system failure, Virginia Department of Health recommends that the system be checked at least once a year if pumping-out is needed. To learn more, click here.
Q. Why do I need to save oyster shells?
A. Lynnhaven River Now, in collaboration with the City, has been running the Save the Oyster Shell program for five years. Saving our oyster and clam shells to be used for reef restoration is a great way that you can help to rebuild the oyster population in the Lynnhaven River. Learn more...
Q. How do I report beach vitex or other invasive plants?
“Lynnhaven River, Photo courtesy of Lynnhaven River NOW”
Q. What are the requirements for developing a property located along a tributary to the Chesapeake Bay?
A. Please visit the CBPA performance standards in Appendix F of the City Code. Contact Development Services Center with questions pertaining to CBPA applications, and site-plan development.
Q. What are the requirements for developing a property located along a tributary to the Southern Watersheds?
A. Please visit the CBPA performance standards in Appendix G of the City Code. Contact
Rick Scarper at (757) 385-4621 with questions specifically to the Southern Watersheds. Contact Development Services Center at (757) 385-8277 with general questions pertaining to site-plan development.
Q. How do I apply for a tidal wetlands permit?
A. The Wetlands Board is responsible for the review of requests for permits for the use, alteration, or development of wetlands. Application for wetlands projects must be submitted using a joint permit application.
Q. How do I obtain a joint permit application?
A. To obtain a joint permit application, please complete the Tidewater JPA unless your project involves dredging. The Standard JPA is required to review projects involving dredging.
Q. Do I need a permit to build a pier, bulkhead, or other structure along the shoreline of my property?
A. Waterfront construction projects require a permit issued by the Environment and Sustainability Office/Waterfront Operations Bureau.
Q. How do I apply for a coastal primary sand dune permit?
A. The Wetlands Board has jurisdiction over coastal primary sand dunes and beaches. Applications for Wetlands and Coastal Primary Sand Dune Projects can be obtained from the Army Corps of Engineers website.
Q. How do I apply for a waterfront construction permit?
A. All waterfront construction requests must be submitted on a
joint permit application. To access the Specific Guidelines for Waterfront Construction Submittals, follow this
link.
Q. Living shorelines: Why a living shoreline?
A. Living Shoreline Treatments
address erosion in lower energy situations by providing long-term protection, restoration or enhancement of vegetated shoreline habitats through strategic placement of plants, stone, sand fill and other structural or organic materials. Living Shoreline Treatments do not include structures that sever the natural processes and connections between uplands and aquatic areas. Read more...
Q. Do I have a shoreline erosion problem?
A. Erosion is a natural process occurring along most Chesapeake Bay shorelines. Bare soil areas without vegetation, numerous fallen trees, collapsing banks, and gradual shoreline retreat are all signs of erosion. Not all erosion is a problem that needs to be corrected.