Zoning

Zoning is what municipalities put in place to protect the general health, safety, and welfare of the public. Zoning breaks down land use into specialized categories. These categories regulate the intensity of land use.

An area of land can have one land use such as commercial. Certain sections of the area, however, can have a higher or lower intensity of commercial land use depending on the zoning.  For example, in the City of Manassas an area of land zoned B-1, Professional Business Office, allows: Banks, Medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, Offices or retail sales with offices, Printing and copying (to a certain square footage),  Telecommunications.  Similar, but more intense uses are allowed in land zoned B-2, Neighborhood Commercial. Examples include:Laundromats, Beauty and barber shops, Restaurants.

Ideally, these zones work in conjunction with each other, protecting the public from land uses that may otherwise be harmful if laid out in incompatible patterns.

Zoning Ordinance
The Zoning Ordinance provides land use regulations for Manassas.  The Zoning Ordinance (along with the Design and Construction Standards Manual) also outlines site development standards such as setbacks, building height, and tree canopy coverage.

Zoning Text Amendments
In order to keep regulations that meet the changing needs of residents, the business community, as well as the vision of the City's Long Range Plans, amendments are made to the Zoning Ordinance.  The division also responsible for updating the Zoning Ordinance to reflect changes in state code.

Zoning Interpretations
From time to time persons may have questions related to the application of specific zoning codes on their property, or the application of the ordinance in general.  These questions are directed to the Zoning Administrator for an official interpretation.  Our interpretations become a fact of law after 60 days.

Zoning Certifications
The office will, for a fee and upon written request, specify zoning information desired for certification.  The division will provide a certified letter stating the zoning, setbacks or other information requested to be affirmed.