Zoning Permits FAQ

1. Where can I get a town zoning permit application?
2. How much does a town zoning permit cost?
3. Do I need a permit for a fence?
4. Do I need a permit for a shed?
5. Do I need a permit for a swimming pool?
6. How much does a building permit from Isle of Wight County cost?

Our GIS data is available to purchase in either paper or digital form. Please review our GIS Fee Structure. Please note that some of the town's GIS data is maintained and owned by Isle of Wight County, such as parcels, therefore, the town cannot sell the County's GIS data. To purchase GIS data that is maintained by Isle of Wight County, please call the Information Technology Department at Isle of Wight County (357-3191). At the present time, our GIS System is NOT available to access through the internet.

On September 5, 2000, Town Council adopted the Entrance Corridor Master Plan and Overlay District. The purpose of the Entrance Corridor Master Plan and Overlay District is to protect the aesthetic and visual character of the 6 major corridors leading into Smithfield's Historic District while maintaining the natural beauty and scenic, cultural, and historical character of these corridors, particularly distinctive views, vistas, and visual continuity. The Planning Commission shall review all proposed development activities within the Entrance Corridor Overlay District, which will include a review of the location, character and appearance of new development in the District. To download Article 3.R, Entrance Corridor Overlay District, of the Zoning Ordinance, click HERE.

The 6 corridors are:

Corridor 1 - North Church Street/Business Route 10, from the Pagan River Bridge to the town limits
Corridor 2 - West Main Street/Route 258, from the town limits to the intersection of Route 258/Route 10 Bypass
Corridor 3 - South Church Street from Battery Park Road to the Cypress Creek Bridge
Corridor 4 - South Church Street from the Route 10 Bypass to Battery Park Road
Corridor 5 - Benns Church Boulvard/Route 10 Bypass, extending the entire distance between the town corporate boundaries
Corridor 6 - Battery Park Road from South Church Street to the corporate town limit

Examples of new development in the Town's Entrance Corridor Overlay District

The Master Plan and Overlay District was prepared by:

Higgins Associates, Inc. (Richmond, VA)
The Virginia Department of Historic Resources

The Entrance Corridor Committee:

M. Keith Kearn, Chairman (Town Council member)
Peter M. Stephenson, AICP, ICMA-CM (Town Manager)
David Plante (former Planning Commission and BHAR member)
Ricks Wilson (BHAR member)
Mark Hall (local businessman)
Ron Pack (local businessman)

The Entrance Corridor Downloadable Documents:
Entrance Corridor Design Guidlines (1.27 MB)
Entrance Corridor Aerial Photograph Layouts (3.29 MB)
Entrance Corridor Map Layouts (3.99 MB)
Entrance Corridor Streetscape Guidelines (1.55 MB)
Entrance Corridor Site Guidelines (2.84 MB)
Entrance Corridor Building Guidelines (3.04 MB)
Entrance Corridor Individual Corridors (2.30 MB)
Entrance Corridor Site Checklist (32 K)

The Smithfield Historic District Design Guidelines is available for Download. due to its size it is available in Chapters or you may download the entire document below

Complete Smithfield Historical District Design Guidline (10.8 MB)

Appendices (152 K)
Table of Contents, Chapter I Background (876 K)
Chapter II Understanding District Character (3.34 MB)
Chapter III Before You Begin (72 K)
Chapter IV Planning a Project in the Historical District (160 K)
Chapter V Site (1.47 MB)
Chapter VI Building Mass (464 K)
Chapter VII Building Elements (1.89 MB)
Chapter VIII Building Materials (460 K)
Chapter IX Decorative features (824 K)
Chapter X Additions (340 K)
Chapter XI Streetscape (1.37 MB)
Chapter XII Moving & Demolition of Historical Buildings (40 K)

Publications (subject to change)

$2.50 - Town Street Maps
$5.00 - Town Zoning Maps
$5.00 - Historical District Design Guidelines
$8.00 - Comprehensive Plan Executive Summary & Future Land Use Map
$25.00 - Subdivision Ordinance (available to download for free.)
$25.00 - Design & Construction Standards Manual (available to download for free.)
$35.00 - Comprehensive Plan (available to download for free.)
$35.00 - Zoning Ordinance (available to download for free.)
$35.00 - Master Utility Plan (water)
$35.00 - Master Utility Plan (sewer)