Current
Operations for Wetlands Public Hearings During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Wetlands Board Public Hearings will be held at 10:00 a.m. on the third
Mondays of the month at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, located at 1000
19th Street. There will be an informal Staff briefing before the hearings
at 9:00 a.m. However, in January the hearing will be held on the Tuesday
after the 3rd Monday of the month due to the Holiday.
There will be limited seating at the
Convention Center for citizens who wish to attend the meeting in person. 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 Wetlands Board/Waterfront
Ops., 2875 Sabre Street, Suite 500, Virginia Beach, VA 23452.
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. Carol Dozier, 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.