• 2023 Comprehensive Plan
• 2017 Comprehensive Plan

Erwin Earnest
Phone: (276) 385-1211
Email: erwin.earnest@tazewellcounty.org

• Acceptance of Roads Into the County System
• Orphan Road Assessment - 2024
• Petition - Orphan Road Acceptance

Tazewell County is the local authority for the enforcement of Virginia's Erosion and Sediment Control Laws (sections 10.1-560 through 10.1-571 of the Code of Virginia, as amended).  Our purpose is to conserve the land, water, air and other natural resources and promote the public health and welfare of the people by establishing requirements for the control of erosion and sedimentation.  We will employ various methods to regulate land-disturbing activities and thereby minimize erosion and sedimentation in compliance with the state program including local ordinances, policies and guidelines, technical materials, inspection, enforcement and evaluation.

If disturbing 10,000 square feet or greater of land (approximately 100 ft by 100 ft), a Screening Form will need to be submitted to the Engineering Office to determine the appropriate course of action.  Land disturbance of one acre or greater will require a storm water permit from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.  Any work proposed in a water course may need to be permitted by the US Army Corp of Engineers.  If the proposed land disturbance is in the Town of Bluefield you will need to contact the Town of Bluefield in order to determine if a permit is needed.

• Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Ordinance
• Forms - Please fill out appropriate form(s) and email to engineering@tazewellcounty.org. Forms are also available in the Engineering Office located at 135 Court Street, Suite 318, Tazewell, VA 24651.
  • Screening Form - Land Disturbing Activity
  • Agricultural Exemption
  • Agreement in Lieu of an ESC Plan
  • Responsible Land Disturber Waiver
  • Land Distributing Permit
• If you need any of the following forms you can pick up a copy at the Engineering Office located at 135 Court Street, Suite 318, Tazewell, VA 24651. (Screening, Agricultural Exemption, Agreement in Lieu of an ESC Plan, Responsible Land Disturber Waiver, Land Disturbing Permit).
• Fees - $50.00 Application fee ESC Plan review (non-refundable), $10.00 per acre disturbed (rounded to the nearest acre)

Erosion and Sediment Plans must be approved by the Tazewell County Planning Commission.  Ten (10) hard copies and one digital copy must be submitted to the Tazewell County Engineering Department to ensure the plan will be placed on the Planning Commission agenda.  Please note the Planning Commission meets on the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 pm unless otherwise posted.

Subdivisions are intended as a long range plan to guide and facilitate the orderly and beneficial growth of Tazewell County, and to promote the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity and general welfare of the county. Subdivided land sooner or later becomes a public responsibility in that roads and streets must be provided. This ordinance assists the community in meeting these responsibilities and in assuring the orderly subdivision of land and its development.

The Tazewell County Subdivision requires that the Tazewell County Planning Commission approve all the divisions of real property that meet a least one of the following criteria (unless exempt per the ordinance):

1. The property is divided into three or more lots or parcels;
2. Or the division creates a lot or parcel containing less than five (5) acres;
3. Or the division further divides a lot within an existing subdivision

Any such division which is recorded in the Tazewell County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office without the approval of the Planning Commission is a violation of the ordinance. Any person violating the ordinance shall be subject to a fine of up to FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00) per lot per week until such division is corrected.

Final Plats must be submitted to the Tazewell County Engineering Department no later than 10 days before the Tazewell County Planning Commission meeting in order to place on the Agenda.

Fee Schedule

• $100.00 per plat plus
• $2.00 per lot if division is 5 or more lots
• $3.00 per lot if division is less than 5 lots

All fees listed above must be paid at the time of submission in order for plat to be placed on the agenda.

For question about the Tazewell County Subdivision ordinance please contact the Tazewell County Engineer Department at (276) 385-1254.

• Subdivision Ordinance
• Certain Subdivisions to include Private Roads

• Answers to Questions about the NFTP
• Why we map flood plains
• Appeals and protests
• Federal Insurance and Mitigations Administration Hazard Mapping Division
• Amendments to National Flood Insurance Program Maps
• National Flood Insurance Program Summary of Coverage

Property located within Tazewell County that meet one or both of the definitions below will be required to obtain a yearly Junk Yard permit as long as the property meets the definition.

Automobile graveyard means any lot or place which is exposed to the weather and upon which more than five (5) motor vehicles of any kind, incapable of being operated, and which it would not be economically practical to make operative, are placed, located or found.

Junkyard means an establishment or place of business which is maintained, operated or used for storing, keeping, buying or selling junk, or for the maintenance or operation of an automobile graveyard, and the term shall include garbage dumps and sanitary fills.

Permit Process

• Any owner or operator of an automobile graveyard or junkyard shall apply to the Tazewell County Planning Commission for a permit to operate such automobile graveyard or junkyard.
• The planning commission may not grant a permit unless the applicant provides satisfactory evidence of the following:
  1. That the applicant either owns or has a leasehold interest in property whereon the automobile graveyard or junkyard is to be located. Where the applicant has only leasehold interest, applicant must provide written proof that the property owner agrees to the location of an automobile graveyard or junkyard on the property.
  2. That the applicant has a storm water control permit, or any other required state permits issued from the Commonwealth Department of Conservation and Recreation or the Department of Environmental Quality.
  3. That the applicant either has or is not required to have an erosion and sediment control permit from Tazewell County.
  4. That the automobile graveyard or junkyard complies with the set back provisions of the Code of Virginia, § 33.1-348 as amended and as herein incorporated and any screening requirements as set forth in this chapter.
  5. That the applicant has deposited with the county the five hundred dollar ($500.00) tax and a fifty dollar ($50.00) permit application fee.
• The planning commission may deny a permit if:
  1. The location of the automobile graveyard or junkyard is inconsistent with the comprehensive plan,
  2. The location is within five hundred (500) feet of an occupied dwelling, or
  3. The location presents a particular threat to public health and safety.
• The planning commission may require the applicant to provide a bond, not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) to secure applicant's promise to remove any junk or inoperable vehicles upon closure of the business or to remediate any violations of this ordinance or any state law regulating automobile graveyards or junkyards.
• Upon granting of a permit the county shall deposit applicant's tax deposit into the general fund.

FEE Schedule

$500.00 Tax (yearly)

$50.00 permit application fee (yearly)

All fees listed above must be paid at the time of submission in order for the application to be placed on the agenda for the Tazewell County Planning Commission

For questions about the Junkyards; Automobile Graveyards ordinance please contact the Tazewell County Engineering Department at (276)385-1254.

• Junkyard Ordinance
• Auto Salvage and Junkyard Permit Application