Cookies help us to understand how you use our website so that we can provide you with the best experience when you are on our site. To find out more, read our privacy policy and cookie policy.
Manage Cookies
A cookie is information stored on your computer by a website you visit. Cookies often store your settings for a website, such as your preferred language or location. This allows the site to present you with information customized to fit your needs. As per the GDPR law, companies need to get your explicit approval to collect your data. Some of these cookies are ‘strictly necessary’ to provide the basic functions of the website and can not be turned off, while others if present, have the option of being turned off. Learn more about our Privacy and Cookie policies. These can be managed also from our cookie policy page.
Strictly necessary cookies(always on):
Necessary for enabling core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies. This cannot be turned off. e.g. Sign in, Language
Analytics cookies:
Analytical cookies help us to analyse user behaviour, mainly to see if the users are able to find and act on things that they are looking for. They allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. Tools used: Google Analytics
Social media cookies:
We use social media cookies from Facebook, Twitter and Google to run Widgets, Embed Videos, Posts, Comments and to fetch profile information.
Share Fill & Waste Ordinance on FacebookShare Fill & Waste Ordinance on TwitterShare Fill & Waste Ordinance on LinkedinEmail Fill & Waste Ordinance link
Albemarle County is reviewing the 2020 regulations on the placement of fill and waste. Whether you have been involved in an application for fill and waste as an applicant or are interested in fill and waste activities, we want to hear what you think about the regulations and process.
What is the Purpose of the Current Fill & Waste Ordinance Update?
Balance the impacts of fill activities with the needs of the community in alignment with the Comprehensive Plan.
This includes:
Protecting natural, rural, historic and scenic resources;
Supporting a strong agricultural and silvicultural economy in the Rural Area byContinue reading
Albemarle County is reviewing the 2020 regulations on the placement of fill and waste. Whether you have been involved in an application for fill and waste as an applicant or are interested in fill and waste activities, we want to hear what you think about the regulations and process.
What is the Purpose of the Current Fill & Waste Ordinance Update?
Balance the impacts of fill activities with the needs of the community in alignment with the Comprehensive Plan.
This includes:
Protecting natural, rural, historic and scenic resources;
Supporting a strong agricultural and silvicultural economy in the Rural Area by allowing productive uses of agricultural land;
Promoting active and vibrant Development Areas; and
Protecting the quiet enjoyment of one’s property.
This project does not involve:
Wholesale rewrite of regulations,
Expanding regulations to allow non-inert materials/contaminants, or
Removing environmental protections.
What is Clean Earth and Inert Waste Fill?
Clean earth and inert waste are two types of fill.
Clean earth fillconsists of soil and rock. County regulations limit the amount of woody material and the amount and size of rocks.
Inert waste fill consists of solid materials that are stable from further degradation. Examples include certain types of construction and demolition debris, such as concrete, bricks, and asphalt.
What Does the Current Fill & Waste Ordinance Regulate?
The fill regulationsgovern adding outside material to a parcel, usually changing its elevation or topography. These regulations are found in Albemarle County Code § 18-5.1.28, part of the County’szoning ordinance. Theregulations include:
Requirements for shaping and sloping fill areas
Restrictions on fill locations (for example, not in flood hazard areas or stream buffers)
Reclamation requirements after fill activities
Setback requirements from property lines and streets for access and fill activity
Lot size and area restrictions for fill activities
Tree protection measures
Access and transportation requirements
Time limits and operating hours for fill activities
Safety and environmental protection measures
The regulations specify that inert waste fill must be topped with clean earth fill to a minimum depth of two feet (or one foot in some cases) to allow for proper stabilization and reclamation of the site. This requirement ensures that the filled area can support vegetation and blend with the surrounding landscape.
Thesezoning regulationsdo not apply to the movement offill material within the same parcel or fill associated with an approved site plan, building permit, or road plan. A compilation of zoning regulations relating to fill is found here.
We appreciate your interest in this matter, as we aim to foster meaningful and diverse public engagement. Our goal is to connect with a wide array of individuals and organizations who are interested in, affected by, or involved with the clean earth fill and inert waste regulations in Albemarle County. We value your insights and are eager to understand how these regulations impact you and whether we are effectively reaching all interested parties.
Share Share Your Experience on FacebookShare Share Your Experience on TwitterShare Share Your Experience on LinkedinEmail Share Your Experience link
Page last updated: 25 Oct 2024, 12:00 PM
Goals for the Ordinance
Albemarle County's goals for the fill zoning ordinance amendment are to a.) assist in creating an equitable and resilient future and b.) align with Comprehensive Plan and Strategic Plan goals, including:
abundant natural, rural, historic, and scenic resources
healthy ecosystems
active and vibrant development areas
a physical environment that supports healthy lifestyles, and
a thriving economy
Project Phases
Discover (Summer 2024)
Fill & Waste Ordinance has finished this stage
Develop a shared understanding of this topic's constraints, interests, challenges, and opportunities. This includes:
Identifying interested parties and contacts
Identifying concerns and challenges with the current ordinance
Clarifying the constraints for this ordinance
Identifying the goals for this ordinance
Researching best practices
Delivering clear and accessible information
Define (Fall 2024)
Fill & Waste Ordinance is currently at this stage
Review the quantitative and qualitative information received during the Discover phase. Identify insights and themes. Finalize the parameters for the revised ordinance with clarity on what we seek to accomplish with the regulations.
Draft (Winter 2024)
this is an upcoming stage for Fill & Waste Ordinance
Based on parameters set within the Define stage, staff will draft the revised ordinance and share the draft for review.
Decide (Spring 2025)
this is an upcoming stage for Fill & Waste Ordinance
The Board of Supervisors will adopt the revised ordinance that aligns with the desired parameters and goals.
Do (beginning Summer 2025)
this is an upcoming stage for Fill & Waste Ordinance
The adopted ordinance will be implemented and reviewed at regular intervals.
