Technical Bulletin #25-06, 06.20.25
Subject: Site-related Plan Review Times and First Submission Policy
Summary:
With the adoption of House bill 2660 (HB 2660), the commonwealth of Virginia amended and reenacted §§ 15.2-2259 and 15.2-2260 of the Code of Virginia to mandate specific plan review times at various stages of submittal. Beginning July 1, the county will adjust various review time targets to comply with this new state mandate. Land Development Services’ (LDS) Site Development and Inspections Division (SDID) has taken this opportunity to also comprehensively assess all review deadlines assigned for various site record types and make updates for consistency and simplification. In addition, this technical bulletin establishes a First Submission Policy to clarify when review timelines begin, and when a resubmission may be handled as a first submission due to various factors.
Effective Date:
July 1, 2025
Background:
In an effort to streamline plan review timelines across the Commonwealth, the state amended and reenacted §§ 15.2-2259 and 15.2-2260 of the Code of Virginia as proposed in HB 2660, which shortens review deadlines for all site plans and subdivision plats. SDID has incorporated these new mandated review deadlines into our business processes.
To further improve transparency and clarify review time expectations for staff and customers, SDID has developed a matrix that clearly identifies plan review times for each review cycle of each record type. Site-related records are now categorized into four tiers, each of which are subject to the same review timelines.
Additionally, to ensure that submissions receive complete and fair reviews, LDS has established a First Submission Policy. Review times and fees are set commensurate with the level of effort required to complete the review. In cases where a resubmission includes a significant change in scope, the level of effort to review may equate to a first submission, because the review must start over from the beginning. The First Submission policy clarifies the point in the process that review timelines begin. It also identifies types of projects that may require handling as a first submission due to the extent of scope changes, or length of time that has lapsed since the previous review.
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