Applications

The Community Development & Planning Department is responsible for processing, reviewing, deciding, and/or acting on certain Town forms, especially those related to planning, zoning, land use, and development-related matters.  Some applications require review or decision from an appointed Board or Commission (i.e. the Board of Historic & Architectural Review (BHAR), the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), the Planning Commission, and/or the Town Council).  These applications (found below) and their purposes include the following:​

Affidavit Application: utilized for any reason requested by the Town.  This application is free of charge.

Agreement In-Lieu of an Erosion & Sediment Control Plan Application: utilized for land-disturbing activities related to single-family residential development in which up to and in excess of 2,500 square feet of land is to be disturbed (i.e. the exposure of soil to the elements).  This application carries a $150 fee.

*Amendment Application: utilized for proposed changes to the zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance, Town Code, comprehensive plan, and zoning maps other than the official zoning map.  This application is also used to perform proffer revisions or conditional rezoning amendments.  All amendment applications are reviewed by the Planning Commission, and decided by the Town Council.  Amendments to the Town Code do not require the review and recommendation of the Planning Commission.  This application carries a $570 fee.

*Appeals Application: utilized for appeals of administrative decisions of Town staff, the BHAR, and/or the Planning Commission.  Depending on the decision/deciding entity being appealed, an appeal may be heard by any one of the Town’s Boards and Commissions.  However, appeals of decisions reached by the BZA and/or the Town Council are heard by the Isle of Wight County Circuit Court, which is why those entities are excluded from this application.  This application carries a $250 fee.

Backflow Assembly Test Report Application: utilized by persons authorized to conduct backflow assembly test reports on backflow prevention devices located within the corporate limits.  This application is free of charge.  For more information, please contact the Public Works & Utilities Department (1-(757)-365-4200).  

BHAR Review Application: utilized for exterior improvements located in the Historic Preservation Overlay which are visible from any public right-of-way and cannot be administratively approved by Town staff.  BHAR review applications are reviewed and decided by the BHAR.  This application is free of charge.

Business License Application: utilized for all businesses that operate/are located within the corporate limits, and for contractors whose cumulative job costs exceed $25,000 in a calendar year.  Business license application fees vary, and depend on the value of the business' gross annual receipts.  For more information, please contact the Treasurer's Office (1-(757)-365-4200).

*BZA Application: utilized for applications requiring the review and decision of the BZA, to include special yard exceptions, special use exceptions, special height exceptions, special exception revocations, variances, and official zoning map interpretation resolutions.  This application carries a $200 fee.

*CBPA Exception Application: utilized for any proposed encroachment of non-water-dependent buildings/improvements/structures into the one-hundred foot Resource Protection Area buffer, as outlined in Article 3.P of the zoning ordinance, the Town’s localized version of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act (CBPA) of 1988.  This application must be reviewed and decided by the Planning Commission, and carries a $200 fee.

CBPA Worksheet for New Construction Application: utilized for any development of or related to a single-family dwelling in which more than 2,500 square feet of land-disturbing activity is to occur.  This application is free of charge.

ECO Design Review Application: utilized for exterior improvements located in the Entrance Corridor Overlay (ECO) which are visible from any public right-of-way, cannot be administratively approved by Town staff, and are not related to the new construction or alteration of a single-family dwelling.  ECO design review applications are reviewed and decided by the Planning Commission.  This application is free of charge.

Final Plat Application: utilized for any proposed final subdivision plat, following the conclusion of the site/subdivision/utility plan and preliminary plat application process.  This application must be reviewed and decided by the Planning Commission, and carries a $150 fee.

Golf Cart Registration Application: utilized for the annual registration of any golf cart that is to be used on any Town right-of-way.  This application carries a $10 fee.  For more information, please contact the Treasurer's Office (1-(757)-365-4200).

Home Occupation Permit Application: utilized for all proposed home-based businesses within the corporate limits, with the exception of home offices.  This application is free of charge.

*Non-Residential Rezoning Application: utilized for proposed changes to the official zoning map to accommodate a predominantly non-residential development.  This application carries a $1,000 fee, with an additional $45 fee assessed per lot shown on the proposed general development plan.

Non-Residential Site Plan Application: utilized for new commercial/industrial development, or alterations to an existing commercial/industrial development or site.  This application carries a $300 fee, with an additional $50 fee assessed per one-thousand square feet of proposed gross floor area.

Peddler’s License Application: utilized for all businesses that operate from non-permanent locations within the corporate limits, other than contractors (i.e. food trucks, etc.).  This application carries a fee of $50 per day of operation, or $500 a year, if the proposed operations are to occur within the corporate limits for more than ten days in any fiscal year.  This application must be accompanied by a business license application.  For more information, please contact the Treasurer's Office (1-(757)-365-4200).

*Residential Rezoning Application: utilized for proposed changes to the official zoning map to accommodate a predominantly residential development.  This application carries a $570 fee, with an additional $50 fee assessed per lot shown on the proposed general development plan.

Responsible Land Disturber Certification Application: utilized for any development of or related to a single-family dwelling in which more than 2,500 square feet of land-disturbing activity is to occur.  This application is free of charge.

ROW/Easement Permit Application: utilized for all projects in which private improvements are proposed within any right-of-way (ROW) or easement owned and maintained by the Town.  This application carries a $100 fee.  For more information, please contact the Town Engineer (1-(757)-365-4200).

Short-Term Rental Affidavit Application: utilized for any proposed short-term rental within the corporate limits.  This application is free of charge.

Sign Permit Application: utilized for all new non-exempt, permanent signage in Town, pursuant to Article 10 of the zoning ordinance.  This application carries a $30 fee.

Site/Subdivision/Utility Plan & Preliminary Plat Application: utilized for any proposed subdivision that does not qualify as a minor subdivision (i.e. dividing one (1) lot into more than two (2) lots), as well as the alteration of an existing approved subdivision.  This application combines the site plan, subdivision plan, utility plan, and preliminary plat review processes, and is reviewed and decided by the Planning Commission.  This application carries a $150 fee, with an additional $50 fee assessed per lot shown on the proposed preliminary plat.

*Special Sign Exception Application: utilized for any proposed signage in the corporate limits that does not comply with Article 10 of the zoning ordinance.  This application must be reviewed and decided by the Planning Commission, and carries a $200 fee.

*SUP Application: utilized for any proposed change of use, or the addition of an accessory use, that would result in the existence of a use noted as permissible only through the issuance of a Special Use Permit (SUP) in any Section of the zoning ordinance.  SUP applications must be reviewed by the Planning Commission and decided by the Town Council.  This application carries a $400 fee.

Talent Bank Application: utilized for any applicant interested in serving on the BHAR, BZA, or Planning Commission.  This application is free of charge.  For more information, please contact the Town Manager’s Office (1-(757)-365-4200).

Temporary Sign Permit Application: utilized for any proposed non-permanent signage in the corporate limits and not otherwise exempted from a temporary sign permit in Article 10 of the zoning ordinance.  This application is free of charge.

Water-Sewer Service Application: utilized at the onset of any new water-sewer service in the corporate limits.  This application carries a variable fee.

Water Quality Impact Assessment Application: utilized to catalog and describe qualified encroachments into the one-hundred foot Resource Protection Area buffer, as outlined in Article 3.P of the zoning ordinance, the Town’s localized version of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act of 1988.  This application is free of charge.

Zoning Permit Application for All Improvements Other Than Residential Accessory Buildings, Structures & Additions: utilized for the new construction or demolition of a single-family dwelling, and all other improvements following the conclusion of the Board and/or Commission review process.  This application carries a $75 fee.

Zoning Permit Application for Residential Accessory Buildings, Structures & Additions: utilized for improvements ancillary to a single-family dwelling (i.e. additions, attached/detached garages, decks, fences, sheds, swimming pools, etc.).  This application carries a $30 fee.

All applications, requests, and forms can be emailed to tclary@smithfieldva.gov, mailed to PO Box 246, Smithfield, VA 23431, and/or hand-delivered to 310 Institute St, Smithfield, VA 23430.  Unless otherwise noted, for more information concerning any of these applications, please contact the Community Development & Planning Department (1-(757)-365-4200).

*Indicates that the application in question requires a public hearing before the reviewing Board(s) and/or Commission(s).  Public hearings entail the posting of signage onsite, the notification of all adjacent property owners via certified and regular mail, and the publication of an advertisement once a week for two consecutive weeks prior to the date of the public hearing.