Zoning ordinance review
The county is reviewing its rules for businesses run from home
The Board of Supervisors asked the Planning Commission to review the rules for home occupation businesses “to further clarify the use so as to not negatively impact the surrounding neighbors.”
Step 1 of 4: Planning Commission review
Next: Planning Commission meets Thursday, October 15, 7:00 PM
Where it stands
The Planning Commission is reviewing it in its work sessions, most recently on its September 17 agenda. No change has gone to a public hearing yet.
- 1
Planning Commission review
September 17 · Underway
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Planning Commission hearing
- 3
Board of Supervisors hearing
- 4
Board of Supervisors decides
If the Commission drafts a change, it holds a public hearing and recommends it to the Board, which holds its own hearing and decides.
In plain words
The Planning Commission is working on a "review of the Zoning Ordinance regarding Home Occupation Businesses" in the county.1 The request came in a July 10, 2026 memo from the Board of Supervisors, asking the Commission to "further clarify the use so as to not negatively impact the surrounding neighbors."2 At a work session, Supervisor Brann said the Board "does not want to stifle business in the county," but some business overflows into the front yard.2 He named a marine repair business and an auto repair business, and said Board members get a lot of calls about both, especially the one in Callao.2 The Commission is set to "Continue discussion" on the review at a later meeting.3
Summarized from the county’s records, September 28.
Where each sentence comes from
- “review of the Zoning Ordinance regarding Home Occupation Businesses”Aug 20, 2026 · Planning Commission · On the agenda
- “Mr. McKenzie read the July 10, 2026 memo from the Board of Supervisors regarding home occupation businesses, asking the Commission to review current zoning regulations on Home Occupation Businesses to further clarify the use so as to not negatively impact the surrounding neighbors.” … “RE: WORK SESSION ITEMS” … “the Board does not want to stifle business in the county, but there a couple of businesses in the county where the business overflows into the front yard” … “one is a marine repair business and another is an auto repair business” … “the Board members get a lot of calls about both of these businesses, especially the one in Callao”Aug 20, 2026 · Planning Commission · In the minutes
- “Continue discussion on the review of the Zoning Ordinance regarding Home Occupation Businesses”Sep 17, 2026 · Planning Commission · On the agenda
Written automatically from the county’s records. Each sentence has to quote the record it comes from, word for word, or it’s left out. The records have the final say.
The official wording
Continue discussion on the review of the Zoning Ordinance regarding Home Occupation Businesses, per the Board of Supervisors memo dated 7-10-26.
How the zoning ordinance is changed
The Board of Supervisors can't amend the zoning ordinance without first referring the change to the Planning Commission for its recommendation. If the Commission doesn't report within 100 days of its first meeting after the referral (or a shorter period the Board sets), that counts as approval.
The Planning Commission and the Board each hold an advertised public hearing. The Board makes the final decision.
The law: Va. Code § 15.2-2285 (Adoption of zoning ordinances and amendments); Va. Code § 15.2-2204 (Advertising public hearings). This describes the general process, not this decision.
The records
Gathered from Northumberland County’s agendas, minutes and notices. Checked October 11.