You may be able to build a dwelling on your property depending on the zoning of the property and which type of single-family dwelling you desire to construct (detached, attached, zero lot line, etc.).  

Contact the Office of Community Development for more information: 540-586-7616

A parcel’s zoning district can be found on Bedford County’s Public GIS Viewer by searching with the parcel ID, property address, or owner(s) name(s).

To view the Zoning Map, click on the "View in Map" link in the top-right corner of the screen and choose the "Zoning-County" map layer on the left column under “Map Layers.”

Setbacks are based on how the parcel is zoned and can require interpretation.

To find the setbacks for a property, you will need to know both the zoning district and the parcel ID (RPC number) or street address. You can determine the zoning of your property through the Bedford County Public GIS Viewer.

Setback information, based on the zoning, can be found in the Zoning Ordinance. (NOTE: setbacks may be different for principal and accessory structure types.)

A table of permitted uses allowed by right and uses allowed by Special Use Permit can be found for each zoning classification in the Bedford County Zoning Ordinance.

Recreational vehicles/campers cannot be used for “living, or business purposes or connected to utility services except for maintenance purpose or as otherwise provided for in the Zoning Ordinance.”

Recreational vehicles/campers can only be used for habitation when in an approved campground, regardless of the length of time.

Accessory buildings are allowed and must meet all required setbacks.

A zoning permit is required for all accessory buildings, but a building permit is only required for any accessory structure over 256 square feet.

Accessory apartments are permissible by right in the AP, AR, AV, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, PRD, C-1, and C-2 in Bedford County with some restrictions, in accordance with Article IV, Sec. 30-82-1 of the Zoning Ordinance.

All applications must be submitted with a building permit. (NOTE: accessory apartments are only permissible in a detached structure in the AP, AR, and AV zoning districts. All other zoning districts require the accessory apartment to be within the existing dwelling, which is commonly a basement apartment.)

A tiny house must meet all building and zoning regulations that apply to any single-family dwelling. Bedford County does not permit the types of “tiny homes” that are commonly shown on television that are mobile and/or built on a trailer bed.