Site Assessment
If you are building a new facility or occupying an existing space in the county, connect with our project managers so we can help your project succeed. Before selecting a location , it is imperative to understand the criteria required of your specific business use.
Below are some questions you should ask to determine the site requirements of your business.
Zoning
Is the site zoned to allow for your business use? The county’s zoning ordinance is broken up into geographical districts that allow for different sets of land uses. The Chesterfield Planning Department can provide you with a zoning certificate which is an official letter confirming the proper zoning of a site.
In some cases, a business may be required to apply for rezoning or a conditional use permit if its use is not permitted in its district or there are other conditions of zoning that restrict its use.
Water and Wastewater
Is the site connected to water or wastewater utility lines? If so, is the water and/or wastewater line connections on your site adequate for your business?
Does your site have the appropriate backflow prevention assemblies and devices to prevent your business from contaminating utility supply lines?
Storm Water Management
Are there any existing Best Management Practices (BMP’s) or Storm Water Management (SWM’s) facilities on your intended site? Are the existing BMP’s and/or SWM’s properly inspected and maintained?
By asking these questions and others about the property, you will save yourself from having to overcome unnecessary problems in the future.
Site Selection
We can help you find your ideal location once you have determined your criteria for choosing a site. Our building inventory database includes all different types of buildings and properties that are currently available for sale or lease. We can also provide you with a custom-tailored report of properties that fit your project’s parameters or requirements.
Site Development
Are you building a new facility or occupying an existing building as a tenant? In either case, there are certain permits your business must obtain. More than likely, you will need a building permit and related permits (e.g. electrical, mechanical, plumbing) to make the improvements necessary for you to obtain your certificate of occupancy and open. Our department can set up a meeting with Building Inspections to determine the building permits required of your business and the time each plan review and inspection process will take.
If your project’s building improvements or land disturbance exceeds 2500 square feet, you must obtain site plan approval from the county’s review team before obtaining building permits. The Planning Department has designed a customer-friendly site plan process with preliminary meetings for you to get assistance on completing your application before you submit it for review.
We understand that business owners are often required to juggle multiple roles when developing a site or establishing business in a new space. Selecting an appropriate site and obtaining the necessary permits necessary for development can be cumbersome, especially for small businesses that are new to the process. Please reach out to us so that we can help guide you guide you through the development process and make your project a success.
