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Community Development

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1. Do I need a permit to build a fence or a deck?

Yes - in most cases, you will need a permit. Please contact us by visiting Town Hall or calling 540-338-2304 for more information.

2. Who do I contact for additional questions regarding permits?

Any member of the Department can assist you with questions related to zoning, occupancy, or sign permits. Most permits are handled by our Planning Technician and Zoning Associate. To contact them, please call (540) 338-2304.

3. When do I need a zoning permit?

A zoning permit is required by the Town for any new construction, alteration, or addition. This includes both residential and non-residential properties. Accessory structures such as fences and sheds also require a permit. Commercial properties should obtain a zoning permit before altering a building for a tenant. Loudoun County may also require a building permit. For more information on the County’s regulations, please see link below. The County will not accept applications for a building permit within the corporate limits without the accompanying approved zoning permit. Replacements typically do not require a permit (such as a new door, roof, fence) provided that the replacement is the same size and location as the original feature. To be sure, contact the Department at (540)338-2304. Loudoun County Website...

4. I don’t own the property; Can I still pull a permit?

Yes, however the majority of the Town’s permits require a property owner’s signature or a statement from the property owner authorizing someone else to sign the permit in their absence. To accommodate you, we can accept faxed or emailed/scanned signatures in addition to original signatures.

5. We’re changing the name of our business do I need a new occupancy permit?

Occupancy permits are not required for a change in name, however, please contact the Department at (540)338-2304 so that we may update our records with your name change. If you are expanding your business in size, relocating, or occupying a space for the first time, an occupancy permit will be required from the Town.

6. Will my project require BAR approval?

The Board of Architectural Review (BAR) approves all projects in the non-residential districts and certain projects in the Historic Corridor Overlay, for more information please visit our BAR page or contact Community Development at (540)338-2304.
BAR Page

7. May I install a temporary sign advertising my business or event?

Yes, the Zoning Ordinance establishes the criteria for temporary signage in Town. A sign permit is also required.

8. What is the zoning of my property? What uses are permitted?

Please click here to view the online zoning map. You may also contact the Department of Community Development to determine the zoning for your property. The Zoning Ordinance, which describes each district in detail (including the permitted uses), is available here.

9. Can I change the zoning of my property?

Yes, a zoning map amendment or “rezoning” application will be required. Rezoning applications are legislative applications which require final approval from the Town Council. To set up a meeting with Department staff, please contact us at (540)338-2304.

10. What are the setbacks for my district?

Setbacks are the minimum required distance between a structure and the property line. The Town has different setback standards for each zoning district and differentiates between primary structures and accessory structures. Certain features (such as decks and porches) are permitted to encroach the established setback lines. In order to determine the setbacks for your specific request, please contact the Department at (540)338-2304.

11. What’s the difference between a “by right” use and a “special use”?

A “by right” use is a use which is permitted in a specified zoning district without further legislative approval from the Town Council. A “special use” is a permissible use, established by the district regulations of the Zoning Ordinance, which requires a special use permit from the Town Council, following a report from the Planning Commission. Uses which are not listed as permitted or special uses for a particular district are typically not allowed within that district.

12. How do I file a zoning violation complaint?

To file a violation complaint, please contact our Zoning Associate, Tucker Keller, via email or in the office at (540)338-2304. You may find the alleged zoning violation complaint form under our
Zoning Page

13. What happens once my complaint is received?

Once your violation complaint is received, the Department will open an investigation to determine if a violation exists (typically within 10 business days of receiving the complaint). If a violation exists, the property owner will be notified of the violation with a courtesy phone call, email, or letter. If the Town is unable to reach the property owner, a door hanger may be placed on the property. If the property owner does not address the violation after the courtesy contact, the Town may send an official notice of violation. Once that notification is received, the Town will work with the property owner to abate the violation and once the violation is removed, close the investigation. In rare circumstances, when a property owner does not abate the violation, the Town may need to work with the Town Attorney to pursue further action in Court.

14. Will my neighbor know I complained?

The identity of a complainant is not subject to disclosure unless you provide the Town with written authorization to do so. The Town will maintain your anonymity during the investigation process unless otherwise compelled by a court of law after consultation with the Town Attorney.

15. What do I do if I received a notice of violation?

If you received a courtesy call, email, or letter from the Town or if you received a violation door hanger, please contact the Department at (540)338-2304 as soon as possible to abate the violation on your property. Department staff will provide you with the necessary steps to correct the violation on your property. If you received an official notice of violation from the Town, we encourage you to meet with staff as soon as possible after receiving the notice in order to correct the violation. You may appeal an official notice of violation to the Board of Zoning Appeals if you believe that the Zoning Ordinance was not violated. Board of Zoning Appeals

16. When is a site plan required?

A site plan is required for all new commercial buildings and most additions. The Town has a site plan waiver for smaller projects (see Article 5 of the Land Development and Subdivision Control Ordinance) and a minor site plan process for midlevel projects. In order to formally determine the requirement for your project, please contact the Department of Community Development to set up a pre-application conference.

17. Can I subdivide my property?

The Zoning Ordinance determines the minimum lot requirements for parcels in each zoning district. Minimum lot size, width, street frontage, and depth must be met for the proposed lots before a subdivision can be approved. A pre-application meeting with the Town staff is recommended. To set up a meeting, please contact us at (540)338-2304. A copy of the plat for the property to be subdivided will be required.

18. Can I operate a business from my home?

Certain businesses are permitted in the residential districts with an approved home occupation permit and business license. Contact the Department for more information at (540)338-2304. Home occupation permits are only issued to residences within the corporate limits, if you reside in Loudoun County please contact their Department of Planning and Zoning for licensing requirements and procedures.

19. I cannot provide all of the required parking; Can I still locate my business here?

The Town has several parking alternatives which may apply to your property in order to assist you with the off-street parking requirements. Please contact the Town for more information at (540)338-2304.

20. Do I need a business license?

Please contact the Finance Department at (540)338-7093 for information related to business licensing and taxes. An occupancy permit or home occupation permit may be required prior to issuing the license.

21. What steps should I take to open a new business in Purcellville?

Prior to opening a new business in Purcellville, we recommend that you meet with Town staff from several of the different departments to get a comprehensive idea of the Town’s needs and requirements. In meeting with Town staff, we can assist you with determining an appropriate location for your business, identifying the necessary licenses and permits, assist you with signage, determine if adequate water/sewer exists, etc.

22. What steps should I take to relocate my business within Purcellville?

Prior to relocating your business to a different commercial space within the Town, please contact us to be sure that the your use is permitted at the new location. We will help you determine if any additional permits are needed prior to the relocation and assist you in preparing for the move. As with new businesses, we can assist you in determining the needs of each of the Town’s departments so there are no “surprises” when the relocation begins.

23. What is PUGAMP?

PUGAMP is the Purcellville Urban Growth Area Management Plan. The Plan was adopted by both Loudoun County and the Town of Purcellville as a joint comprehensive plan for the area established as the Joint Land Management Area (JLMA); however, PUGAMP has been rescinded by both governments and is no longer in effect as of July 1, 2013. For more information on PUGAMP, please contact the Department at (540)338-2304.

24. I own property outside of Town, can I be annexed?

Properties outside the corporate limits AND within the Joint Land Management Area (JLMA) may be eligible for annexation in accordance with the adopted annexation guidelines and the Purcellville Urban Growth Area Management Plan. At this time, parcels which are not included in the JLMA are not eligible for annexation; however, Loudoun County and the Town of Purcellville are in the process of rescinding the previous agreements governing annexation. To determine if your property is eligible or for more information, contact us (540)338-2304.

25. What is the Comprehensive Plan? When do I need a Comprehensive Plan amendment?

The Comprehensive Plan is a long term plan which guides development within the Town. The Plan is developed with input from different citizen and business groups in an attempt to provide an inclusive approach to managing the long term growth of the Town. The Code of Virginia establishes certain requirements of the Plan. Amendments to the plan should be minimal. However, in some circumstances, an amendment may be requested or desired by the Town. Typically, property owners submit amendments to the Planned Land Use Map when a rezoning request does not comply with the planned use of a property.

26. What should I submit with my rezoning application?

Typically, a rezoning application is submitted to the Town with a concept plan, a traffic impact analysis (TIA), a statement of justification, proffers (if any), and any other impact statements or statements supporting the rezoning request. Additional information may be requested by the Town or the other reviewing bodies during the course of the review. For more information, please consult the rezoning application package or contact the Department at (540)338-2304.

27. I received a notice of public hearing in the mail. What does this mean? Do I need to come to the meeting?

For certain applications (such as rezonings, special use permits, and comprehensive plan amendments), the Code of Virginia requires the Town hold public hearings prior to making a decision. The public hearings are the opportunity for Town residents and interested parties to provide the Planning Commission or Town Council with their opinions, feedback, and concerns about a proposed development. When a public hearing is required for these applications, the Code of Virginia also requires that notices of that hearing be sent to adjoining property owners. Often, the adjoining property owners will be the most impacted by the proposed development. Attendance at the hearing is not required but is encouraged if you have any opinion or comment that might help the Town make a more informed decision on an application.

28. How do I determine what kind of improvements I can make to my property?

The improvements you can make on your property are determined primarily by the permitted uses of your zoning district and the setback regulations as defined in the Zoning Ordinance. The Community Development Department can advise you on any additional restrictions that may apply.

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Finance and Taxes

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1. Please explain the Town Personal Property Tax?

Personal Property Tax is a tax on tangible property - i.e., automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, and mobile homes. It is an ad valorem tax, meaning the tax amount is set according to the value of the property. A higher-valued property pays more tax than a lower-valued property. All vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, campers and trailers, registered to a Town of Purcellville address are subject to personal property taxes and an annual vehicle license fee.  Personal property assessments are made by the Loudoun County Commissioner of the Revenue.  

The Town of Purcellville is not fully funded by Loudoun County. Taxes collected on behalf of the Town are used to pay for Government operations including Police, street maintenance and sidewalks, trash, recycling and yard waste collection, Building/ Zoning Enforcement and Inspections, Parks and Recreation, and Economic Development. 

County Taxes are used to pay for Schools, Public Safety-Fire/Rescue, Sheriff/Jail, Libraries, Animal Control, Election Services, Community Centers, Mental Health and Welfare Programs.

• If you moved from Loudoun County, please contact the Loudoun County Commissioner of Revenue (703-777-0260) to change your jurisdictional code to Purcellville so that you are not billed for a Loudoun County decal. 

Vehicles must be registered after purchase or relocating to Purcellville with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (within 30 days) and with Loudoun County (within 60 days).  Failure to report will result in penalties.

2. Please explain the Town Real Estate Tax?

Real estate taxes are based on real property assessments and the real property tax rate, which is set annually by Town Council. Real estate in Virginia is assessed at 100% of its fair market value. As of January 1, 2022, Loudoun County will assume the administration, billing and collection of real estate taxes on behalf of the Town of Purcellville.  Real estate taxes are billed twice a year. The due dates are June 5 and December 5.

• Have questions about real property assessments or fair market valuations? Visit the Commissioner of the Revenue.
• View specific parcel information at Loudoun County Real Estate Tax, Assessment and Parcel Database

Town of Purcellville Taxes & Fees - Real Estate info

3. Can I operate a business from my home?

Home occupation permits are required for business owners operating a home business. Businesses in a residential area may only be operated on a limited scale that protects the residential character of the neighborhood. (See Article 3, Section 8 of the Zoning Ordinance.) Signs advertising a home business are not allowed. Additional information from the Finance Department

4. How do I reach the Official Payments Corporation from the Town's Website?

Click on the blue, Payment Info button on the left side of the page or use the following link. Payment Info...

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New Developments and Street Repairs, Maintenance and Plowing

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1. What is the Town’s guidance on trees?

Development plans usually require trees to be planted on some or most new house lots for beautification. Often these trees are not planted until all new home construction is completed. The developer or your salesman can inform you about any landscaping that may be planned for your lot.

2. When will the roadways in a new subdivision have their final layer of pavement?

Roadway surfacing will usually not be completed until the development has been completed. This means the roadway will be rough for some time because of uneven paving and manholes protruding above the surface.

3. Who fixes the sidewalks and fixes and plows the roads?

If you are in one of the new developments, the developer owns the road until all requirements on the plans, such as final paving, drainage ditches, planting trees, sidewalks, etc. have been completed. This means the developer is responsible for street repairs and snow plowing until the road has met Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) requirements and is accepted by the Town. The Town owns and maintains all roads in Town with the exception of Rt. 287 and Main Street. Generally, the Town will be responsible for plowing Town-owned streets and will support VDOT with the plowing of Rt. 287 and Main Street. The Town maintains the sidewalks after the acceptance period but residents are responsible for cleaning/shoveling their own sidewalks.

4. How do I report a Street Light outage?

Click the link here...

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Refuse and Recycling

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1. What are the trash and recyclable collection schedules?

If there are other residences occupied on your street, just place the trash curbside, by 7:00 AM, for pickup on Wednesdays. Recycling and Yard Waste are also collected on Wednesdays. The Town has recycling containers available to its residents upon request which can be picked up at the Town Hall. If you are the first resident on your street, then please call the Town Hall 540-338-7421 to start pickups.

The Town of Purcellville contracts with American Disposal Services which may be contacted at 1-866-884-8700. There are no additional fees for refuse and recycling collection. Refuse and Recycling Page...

2. My trash, recycling, yard waste were not picked up today. Are they coming back to get it?

The trash company picks up trash, recycling and yard waste on Wednesdays. It is possible that they are using separate trucks for each item and only picked up one of the items and will be back later with a different truck for the other items. If by 3:00 p.m. your trash/recycling/yard waste has not been picked up, please contact Staff at the Town Hall at 540-338-7421 and they will contact the company and let them know that your items did not get picked up. It is important that you place your trash by the curb the night before to avoid missed collections. Refuse and Recycling Page...

3. How do I obtain a recycling bin?

Please stop by the Town Hall at 221 South Nursery Ave to pick up a recycling bin. Each household receives one bin at no charge. Refuse and Recycling Page...

4. What can I put in my recycling bin?

Please view the linked pamphlet. View Pamphlet...

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Town Council Meetings

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1. When, where and what time are the Town Council meetings held?

All regularly scheduled Town Council meeting are held the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at Town Hall in the Council Chambers and/or Heritage Room (above Council Chambers) beginning at 7:00 PM. View Town Calendar...

2. What is the process for speaking at the Town Council meetings on an item?

Sign-up sheets are available in the lobby of Town Hall for completion and submission to the Clerk prior to the meeting. You may also contact Diana Hays, Town Clerk, at 540-751-2334 or dhays@purcellvilleva.gov.

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Train Station

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1. Can I reserve the Train Station and what are the restrictions?

The Train Station is set up in a conference room style setting, it has one large room with two conference room tables and seating for about 25 to 30 it also has a smaller room with a small conference room table and seating for about 10. The Train Station also has bathroom facilities that serve the building use as well as the users of the W&OD Trail. It also has a small kitchen that can be used as well. Please call 540-338-7421 to schedule the facility or if you would like to take a look at it to see if it would meet your needs.

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Vehicles

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1. Where is the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Office and what are the directions to the office?

Please visit DMV's website to find the nearest location and services available. Purcellville's DMV Select will be permanently closed effective June 30, 2021.

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Water

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1. How do I set up a water account?

Please visit the Utility Service Page. Utility Service Page...

2. Why are the water and sewer rates higher in many smaller jurisdictions than in larger jurisdictions?

Rates are a function of the number of users in the system. Large localities such as Fairfax County have lower rates spread over a large user base whereas Purcellville has a much smaller user base to cover the cost of the services provided. This is generally referred to as "the economy of scale.” It is also important to note that the level of water and wastewater treatment is dictated by the EPA and the State and the Town must meet those standards irrespective of the costs. The State is requiring several new treatment requirements that are expected to further affect costs. In addition, operations and materials costs continue to increase which further stretch our current resources.

The Town of Purcellville water and sewer rates are based on the volume of water consumed. The amount a resident pays for sewer is directly related to the amount of water used regardless if the use is indoors and sewer-related or outdoors and not sewer related. Water bills are issued for a two month period. Average household use is between 200 and 300 gallons per day without outside water uses such as lawn watering, car washing and pool filling. A lawn sprinkler can use 450 gallons per hour. Outside uses can easily double and triple average household usage. We have also found that residents in new homes may experience higher water use than at their previous home. This could be caused by the high pressure in the Town system. If you do not already have a pressure reducer, installing one may help.

3. Does the Town use water meters?

The Town owns the water meters installed on your property and for safety reasons we ask residents not to open the meter crocks or handle the meters. Occasionally during inclement weather, water usage is estimated and these estimates are based on the average usage for the past 12 months.

4. How can I reduce my water bill?

Conservation is the best means to reduce your water bill. Installing low flow fixtures and appliances are just one possible means. You can also reduce water use by limiting watering and following other conservation methods as described in our water conservation brochure. Water pipes or toilets leaking can increase water use significantly. Toilet leaks in particular can be very hard to locate. The Town office has dye toilets available which you can use to check for leaks. If a leak is discovered in your house or on your property, contact a plumber immediately to identify and repair the leak. If this procedure is followed, you may be able to obtain a water leak adjustment to your bill under certain circumstances. If the leak is such that you require the water to be turned off in order to fix it then call the Town Hall at the numbers below. Any damage caused to the meter may be charged to you. Problems detected with Town water and sewer lines should be reported during business hours (M-F, 8:00 AM -5:00 PM) to the Town Office 540-338-7421 or after hours to the Town emergency number 540-338-7700. Water Conservation Page...

5. Does the Town have fluoride treated water?

Yes.

6. What Causes Discolored Water?

The elements present in the water that causes yellow, orange or brown discolored water is iron and magnesium. These are considered secondary contaminants by the Virginia Department of Health. The elements are not considered detrimental to human health at these levels but are required to be removed for aesthetic reasons. If you experience discolored water, please contact Town Hall. Often discolored water is generated by a disturbance to the water system such as a fire or water theft. The Town can provide flushing to clean up the discolored water and can also provide sample bottles which you can use to collect a sample when you notice discolored water. The information that you provide with this sample is helpful for us to determine the cause of the discolored water.

7. Is the Water Safe to Drink?

The Town of Purcellville strives to provide the best quality water possible to every user. The Town water typically exceeds all state drinking water standards and has even won a second place award from the Virginia Rural Water Association for the best tasting water in the State. An annual Water Quality Report is provided to each user which identifies the quality of the water. Drinking Water Page...