Current
Operations for Wetlands Public Hearings During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Virtual Wetlands Board Public Hearing The Virginia Beach Wetlands Board meeting on April 19, 2021 will be held virtually with Wetlands Board Members, Staff and citizens participating via video/audio conference.
For those citizens who desire to attend this meeting virtually, registration is required. Please visit www.vbgov.com/wetlands or enter the following URL into your web browser to register:
https://vbgov.webex.com/vbgov/onstage/g.php?MTID=ef264b0b408ae2b054af429c97c8e52f0.
If you desire to speak at the virtual public hearing you must notify Staff prior to 5:00 pm, Friday, April 16, 2021 at (757) 385-4621. Citizens are encouraged to submit comments to the Wetlands Board prior to the public hearing via email to waterfront@vbgov.com or via United States Mail to Waterfront Operations, 2875 Sabre Street, Suite 500, Virginia Beach, VA 23452.
Copies of the proposed plans, ordinances, amendments and/or resolutions are on file and may be examined by appointment in the Planning Department at 2875 Sabre St, Suite 500, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 or online at www.vbgov.com/wetlands. For information call 757-385-4621. Staff Reports will be available on the webpage 5 days prior to the meeting.
Staff will attempt to facilitate real-time citizen participation/comments in the public hearing for those citizens who registered, which includes speaker's name, physical address, email address, and phone number. For more information on this process, please review the Wetlands Board website at www.vbgov.com/wetlands or contact Staff at (757) 385-4621.
Current
Operations for Office Visits During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The City of Virginia
Beach continues to operate under modified conditions and the Planning &
Community Development office is currently closed to the public. Most of our
employees are still working remotely, but our Staff is available via phone,
voice mail, or email. Additional information on the re-opening of
offices should be forthcoming soon.
Staff continues to
encourage future applicants to continue to complete their Joint Permit Applications
(JPA) online, and submit their JPA to the Virginia Marine Resource Commission
(VMRC) at jpa.permits@mrc.virginia.gov.
Those without access to the internet may drop off Joint Permit Applications at
2875 Sabre Street, Suite 500, and our staff will forward your application to
the Marine Resource Commission for you. Place the entire submittal
package including application, plans, disclosure statement and processing fees
(fees in a sealed envelope, checks payable to Treasurer, City of Virginia
Beach) in the City Treasurer’s Drop Box located outside of the building in
front of the lobby. Address the envelope to Ms. Shannon Heederik, Department
of Planning & Community Development. Links to the Joint Permit
Applications and a schedule of processing fees are noted on the Wetlands Board
web-page at https://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/planning/boards-commissions-committees/Pages/Wetlands-Board.aspx.
Applicants will be notified by phone or email if additional information is
necessary to continue processing of all applications, regardless of submittal
method.
For more information, please contact the
Waterfront Operations Staff at (757) 385-8246
, or waterfront@vbgov.com
Wetlands Board General Information
The Wetlands Board is composed of seven members, appointed by the City Council, who are responsible for reviewing requests for permits for the use, alteration, or development of Tidal-Wetlands, Coastal Primary Sand Dunes, and beaches.
The Board's wetlands jurisdiction for non-vegetated wetlands (sand flat, mud flat, etc.) lies between mean low water and mean high water. Vegetated wetlands jurisdiction is from mean low water to an elevation one and one-half times the mean tide range. The mean tide range is approximately two feet for rivers and bay areas and three and one-half feet for ocean areas. Upland of that elevation, the Board does not have jurisdiction. However, a waterfront construction permit from the Waterfront Operations Bureau may still be required. If you have questions, contact a Waterfront Inspector at 757-385-8246.
The Board also reviews violations of the regulations and has the option to assess civil charges and/or order restoration of the site.