View and track the status of your building permit with the Citizen’s Self-Service portal.

Your permit is valid for six months from the date of issuance or six months from the date of your last inspection, whichever is later.

If you do not begin construction within six months or stop work for six months, your zoning and building permits and the applicable approvals will expire.

If you need more time, you can submit a request for an extension of your permit to the Zoning Administrator and Building Official summarizing the progress of the project and the reasons for the delay.  This must be done prior to the permit’s expiration date.

The land use taxation program is handled by the Commissioner of Revenue's Office. Their office phone number is 540-586-5621.

Moving a property line requires a Boundary Line Adjustment (BLA) and will need to go through the Minor Subdivision Application review process.

You will need to hire the services of a licensed surveying or engineering company to prepare the plat and submit the application via the two options below.

• Online: If you are a new user, sign up for a new account on our Citizen's Self Service portal or log in to your existing account and choose the correct application process. You will be guided through the steps necessary to complete your application and upload supporting documents.

   

• In-Person: Submit supporting materials and fees when our office is open, or you can mail them to us at the Department of Community Development, 122 East Main Street, Suite 106, Bedford, VA 24523 ATTN: Andrea Maddox.

New lots must comply with the applicable zoning regulations, such as minimum lot size and required road frontage.

For assistance with subdividing your property, please refer to our content regarding a Minor Subdivision Application or contact our office to speak with a planner at 540-586-7616.

Once you have determined that you can subdivide, you will need to submit a Minor Subdivision Application. A notarized affidavit verifying the family relationship is required by the subdivision ordinance.

A new family lot can be conveyed to any person who is a naturally or legally defined offspring, spouse, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew of the landowner(s). The new parcel may not be sold for 5 years following the conveyance of the property. All other subdivision requirements as outlined in the application must be met.

Home occupations must be conducted in accordance with Article IV, Sec. 30-82-3 of the Zoning Ordinance.

Bedford County allows for only one (1) single-family dwelling regardless of zoning district or parcel size.

Depending on the zoning district and size of the parcel, there may be options to subdivide or apply for an accessory manufactured home (only allowed in the AP, AR & AV zoning districts for direct family members of the landowners and in accordance with Article IV, Sec.30-82-6), or for an accessory apartment in accordance with Article IV, Sec. 30-82-1 of the Zoning Ordinance.

Short-term rentals must be conducted in accordance with Article V, Sec. 30-100-18 of the Zoning Ordinance.

The Bedford County Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance are the guiding documents used by staff in evaluating any rezoning request. The first step involves consultation with planning staff for additional assistance in getting started.

The Bedford County Zoning Ordinance outlines the by-right uses and the uses that require a special use in the permitted use table in Sec. 30-79 of the Zoning Ordinance.