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The Erosion and Sediment Control Program's goal is to control soil erosion, sedimentation, and nonagricultural runoff from regulated "land-disturbing activities" to prevent degradation of property and natural resources. The Erosion and Sediment Control Program regulates only construction activities that constitute land-disturbing activities under the regulations. Therefore, it is essential that staff and the regulated community fully understand this definition. A land-disturbing activity is "any land change on private or public land that may result in soil erosion from water or wind and the movement of sediments into state waters or onto lands in the Commonwealth, including, but not limited to, clearing, grading, excavating, transporting, and filling of land." This definition includes land-disturbing activities equal to or exceeding 2,500 square feet in area; however, the following 13 activities are specifically exempt from the definition:
1.Disturbed land areas of less than 2,500 square feet in size;
2.Minor land-disturbing activities and individual home landscaping, repairs and maintenance work;
3.Individual service connections;
4.Installation, maintenance or repair of underground public utility lines when such activity is confined to an existing hard surfaced road, street or sidewalk;
5.Septic tank lines or drainage fields unless included in an overall plan for land-disturbing activity relating to construction of the building to be served by the septic tank system;
6.Surface or deep mining;
7.Exploration or drilling for oil and gas including the well site, roads, feeder lines and off-site disposal areas;
8.Tilling, planting or harvesting of agricultural, horticultural or forest crops, or livestock feedlot operations; including a specific list of engineering operations;
9.Repair or rebuilding of the tracks, right-of-way, bridges, communication facilities and other related structures, and facilities of a railroad company;
10.Agricultural engineering operations including but not limited to the construction of terraces, terrace outlets, check dams, desilting basins, dikes, ponds not required to comply with the provisions of the Virginia Dam Safety Act, ditches, strip-cropping, lister furrowing, contour cultivating, contour furrowing, land drainage and land irrigation;
11.Installation of fence, sign, telephone, electric, or other kinds of posts or poles;
12.Shore erosion control projects on tidal waters when the projects are approved by local wetlands boards, the Marine Resources Commission or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and
13.Emergency work to protect life, limb or property, and emergency repairs.
Parties uncertain as to whether or not a specific land disturbing activity is regulated should consult the Environmental Division.
It is very important that you fill out the application completely even if you attach a resume. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of the information that you have provided on the application itself. Be sure to include typing speed, special skills, certifications and licenses. Your resume will only be reviewed for clarification purposes.
Please note the closing date posted with each job description.
At the point, it was decided that high quality, less restrictive, community based-services would be provided to these children if the funds were managed at the local level. There is a local case match required to access the state CSA funds.
The Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) is comprised of the supervisory level staff from the same agencies as the CPMT as well as the parent and private providers. These teams work with the families to develop the Individual Family Services Plan (IFSP). If the services needed are beyond what is available in the participating agencies and there are no other family or community resources available, the team may choose to purchase them with local CSA pool funds.
In the County of Stafford, "non-mandated" funds are available for identified children. These funds are limited and the County of Stafford is not required to appropriate sufficient funds to serve this population.
Stafford County allows the Department of Social Services, Stafford County Public Schools, the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board, the Court Services Unit to make referrals for potential funding. Stafford County will accept a parental referral but requires one of the mandated agencies to case manage and be the point of contact between the FAPT and the family. For more information, please contact the CSA office staff at (540) 658-4622 or (540) 658-4619.
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Information about individual parcels of land located in Stafford County may be obtained from the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office at (540) 658-4124.
The location of the property to be discussed, identified by tax map and parcel numbers, is useful information you may want to supply when making an appointment for a conference.
The planner you meet with will inform you of the application procedures and deadlines, as well as tentative hearing dates. The first public hearing usually takes place within 3 months of the application submission deadline. The rezoning process generally takes 4 to 6 months to complete.
Please see online forms for updated fees and information on rezoning and conditional use permits.
Call the Department of Planning and Zoning at (540) 658-8668, if you have any additional questions.
These types of projects require a Building Permit (see USBC 108.1): • Building a new house. • Building an addition onto an existing house or attached garage. • Converting an existing deck or screened porch into a sunroom. • Building an attached or detached garage or carport. • Converting a garage to a habitable space. • Building a porch, screened porch, deck, associated steps or ramp. • Building or installing a tool shed over 150 square feet in area. • Finishing off an unfinished attic, basement or room over the garage. • Moving or removing a load bearing wall or partition. • Retaining wall which support 2 or more feet of unbalanced fill. • Bulkheads • Piers • Docks • Repairing, altering, enlarging or modifying any structural element of the house, including: ?Any damaged structural element, such as load bearing stud walls, columns, piers, footings, foundations, floor joists, rafters, beams or girders. ?Enlarging or adding a door opening or window opening. ?Changing the use of the structure (example: change from residential use to business use). ?Installing a pool, hot tub or spa greater than 150 square feet, 5000 gallons, OR 24" deep.
The building code allows some work to be done without obtaining a permit. While a permit is not required, the work must be in compliance with the code. Some examples of work that does not require a permit include (see USBC 108.2):
1.Making ordinary repairs and improvements, including, but not limited to: • Painting the inside or outside of the house or detached structures. • Repairing drywall, plaster, exterior siding, etc. • Installing new floor coverings, such as vinyl, carpet, or hardwood. • Installing or refurbishing cabinetry. • Repairing or replacing porch or deck flooring boards. Note: A permit is required to repair or replace the joists or girders. • Repairing or replacing handrails on a porch. • Installing or replacing doors and windows, including storm windows, where no structural changes are performed. • Installing or replacing exterior siding. • Re-roofing: Old shingle roof can be left in place provided that there are not more than two previous layers of shingles and that the existing shingles are not water saturated. • Installing or replacing gutters and downspouts. • Repairing or replacing siding.
2.Installing driveways or sidewalks.
3.Constructing or installing a storage shed, playhouse, etc, 150 square feet or less in area. (requires zoning permit)
4.Adding a fence (which is not part of a swimming pool enclosure) and which is 6' or less in height - refer to subdivision covenants (if applicable).
5.Building recreational equipment, such as swings, skateboard ramps, jungle gyms, etc.
6.Adding roof insulation.
7.Installing any wiring or equipment which operates at less than 50 volts.
8.Installing a security alarm system.
9.Replacing existing electrical water heater with a new electric water heater.
10.Replacing electrical fixtures, such as switches and receptacles.
11.Installing or replacing a ceiling fan to a pre-wired switch.
12.Replacing plumbing fixtures, such as sinks.
13.Replacing or repairing existing mechanical appliances (of equal size and type). This exception is not applicable to gas and oil fired appliances.
• Outlining materials and methods of construction.
• Clarifying the scope of work for the understanding of all parties involved (contractor, owner/ occupant, inspector).
• Serve as an archived record of the proposed work (required by the Commonwealth of Virginia).
• Serve as a means of confirmation of structural adequacy by the plan reviewer.Correcting a deficiency after installation is often difficult and costly. A detailed set of plans greatly reduces the potential for this to occur. A good set of construction plans benefits everyone involved in the construction process.
There are several reviews your application must go through before it can be approved, each of which are completed by a different department or division:
• Environmental• Grading, Erosion and Sediment Control and Drainage• Zoning• Utilities or Health Department• Application Review
Economic and seasonal influences can effect review times significantly. It is our priority to review your plan quickly and efficiently.
• Holdovers from the previous day.• Homeowners (as many take time from work to meet the inspector).• Concrete pours as the concrete delivery is scheduled and anticipated.• Final inspections for new homes (as this affects closing dates and moving plans).• Ditches/ trenches that pose a hazard.• Electrical service inspections that require power interruptions.
As you can see there are many circumstances that require a sense of urgency. We appreciate your patience as we make every effort to provide efficient service to Stafford County residents and contractors.
Duns #: 08-900-5672
Online: MasterCard Credit & Debit, VISA Credit & Debit, Discover, American Express, and E-check
Office: Discover, American Express, Visa Debit, and MasterCard Debit. (We are unable to accept Visa and Mastercard credit cards in office at this time) Phone (800) 272-9829: MasterCard Credit, Discover and American Express
*All credit card payments are subject to a convenience fee imposed by the provider*
Online: MasterCard Credit & Debit, VISA Credit & Debit, Discover, American Express, and E-check In Office: Discover, American Express, Visa Debit, and MasterCard Debit. (We are unable to accept Visa and Mastercard credit cards in office at this time)
Phone (800) 272-9829: MasterCard Credit, Discover and American Express
*All credit card payments are subject to a convenience fee imposed by the provider
Stafford County assesses at 40% of the NADA value. A NADA value of $20,000 =$8,000 in county assessed value. A NADA value of $1,000 = $400 in county assessed value.
•More than 50% of the mileage for the year is used as a business expense for Federal Income Tax purposes OR reimbursed by an employer;
•More than 50% of the depreciation associated with the vehicle is deducted as a business expense for Federal Income Tax;
•The cost of the vehicle is expensed pursuant to Section 179 of the Internal Revenue Service Code; or
•The vehicle is leased by an individual and the leasing company pays the tax without reimbursement from the individual.
Vehicles qualified for tax relief are noted on your tax bill and show a reduction for the portion of the tax the Commonwealth will pay. For qualified vehicles, your tax bill is reduced by the applicable tax relief percentage for the tax year on the first $20,000 of value.
Stafford County will be reimbursed by the Commonwealth for the amount of the reduction once you have paid the balance due shown on your bill. If your qualifying vehicle's assessed value is $1,000 or less, your tax has been eliminated and the Commonwealth's share is 100%. Tax relief is calculated using the locality's effective tax rate.
You are required to certify annually to Stafford County that your vehicle remains qualified to receive car tax relief. Therefore, it is important that you review the information sent to you each year to be sure that your vehicles are properly qualified. This information may be included on items such as personal property tax returns, decal applications, or tax bills.
If your vehicle is improperly qualified or you are uncertain whether your vehicle would be eligible for car tax relief because it is used part of the time for business purposes, contact the Stafford County Commissioner of the Revenue at (540) 658-4132 or email to commrev@co.stafford.va.us.
When you pay your Stafford County taxes on qualified vehicles, you are certifying that personal property tax relief is given only to personal use vehicles.
You may go to the Department of Utilities office and apply in person at least 24 hours prior to the time you want your service to be initiated.
You may apply for service over the telephone at least 24 hours in advance. Call (540) 658-8616 and an application will be mailed to you. From the date the application is mailed to you, you will have ten (10) days to mail the appropriate fee to the Department of Utilities. If payment is not made within ten (10) days, your water and/or sewer service(s) will be terminated.
There is an $80 fee required to obtain water and sewer service. This fee is not a deposit. It covers the following:
$10.00 Administrative fee for water service (non-refundable). $10.00 Administrative fee for sewer service (non-refundable). $30.00 Water advance service fee. $30.00 Sewer advance service fee.
The $30.00 water and sewer advance service fees are considered advance payments on your final bill.
- A penalty of ten percent (10%) will be applied to your bill.
- Service will be discontinued if bills are not paid within the 15 days after the bill becomes past due.
- If service is discontinued because the bill was not paid within the time limit, the amount the account is in arrears must be paid plus an additional fee of $30.00 will be charged before service can be reinstated. An additional $25 fee is charged if water is required to be turned back on after normal working hours.
You have several options to pay your bill:
- Water and sewer bills may also be paid by telephoning 1-888-2PAYTAX (1-888-272-9829). Jurisdiction Code 1002. Please note: Payments made before midnight will be posted to county records the following business day.
- You may make your payment by mail. (See bill for address).
- You may make your payment at the Treasurer’s Office on the first floor of the Stafford Administration Center. A computer terminal is also available in the Treasurer's Office to make payments. If county offices are closed, you may place your payment in the drop-box located on the wall at the main entrance of the building.
- The payment must be received in the Treasurer’s Office by 12:00 noon on the due date to be considered paid on time. Please allow for a few days for the delivery if paying by mail.
To determine if you have a leak in your water service line, close off the main valve to your house and look at your water meter. If the indicator on the meter is turning, this is an indication that you have a leak in the pipe between your water meter and the main valve (though it could also mean that the main valve is not shutting off the water completely).
If the indicator on your water meter was turning but stopped when you shut the main valve, this indicates that something inside is using water. With the main valve open (and the indicator on the meter turning), turn off the valve to individual fixtures (toilets, sinks, etc.) one at a time. Check the indicator each time you turn off a fixture valve to see if it stops turning. If it does, the last fixture turned off is the culprit!
Toilets can often be the cause of a "mystery" water leak. Open the cover on the tank. If the water level is above the overflow tube, there is a problem. The water level should be approximately 1/2- inch or so below the top of the overflow pipe. Adjust the float level, so that the water is turned off at that level. If the valve controlled by the float is leaking, it may need to be replaced.
Toilet leaks can also be due to a leak at the flapper valve that lets water flow into the toilet bowl. To test for this, put a drop or two of food coloring into the tank (not the bowl). Wait for about 10 minutes and see if the colored water shows up in the bowl. If it does, your flapper valve may need to be replaced.
Periodic high pressure may be caused by a backflow preventer installed at your water meter or inside your building. As the water heater heats the water, the water expands. Since the expanding water can’t flow backwards through the backflow preventer, the water pressure increases. If the water pressure returns to normal shortly after turning on a faucet, this is most likely the cause of your high water pressure. You may need to reduce the temperature somewhat on your hot water heater and/or you may need to have an expansion tank installed. For more information, call your plumber or call us at 658-8695.
Low water pressure can be due to a water leak, a crimped water service line, or may simply be due to your home or building being situated at a high elevation. Customers whose pressure seems low should contact us to determine whether the low pressure is due to a piping problem or simply due to location. If the low pressure is determined to be due to location, you may need to have a water booster pump installed at your own cost.