Planning Department, Clarke County, Virginia Email Format
Government AdministrationVirginia, United States11-50 Employees
Planning Department, Clarke County, Virginia administers and coordinates the county’s land use policies as outlined in the Comprehensive Plan and implemented through zoning and subdivision ordinances. The department’s mission centers on preserving agricultural land while concentrating development to maximize the efficiency of public facilities and services such as roads, schools, and utilities. Based in Berryville, Virginia, the agency operates within the government administration sector and serves county residents and property stakeholders by guiding residential, commercial, and light industrial land uses consistent with long‑term planning goals. Clarke County’s approach includes unique zoning measures implemented in 1980 to allocate limited Dwelling Unit Rights to parcels and site-specific regulations adopted with the Town of Berryville in 1992 to address annexation areas. These actions aim to sustain the region’s agricultural economy and natural character while supporting growth in a manner that concentrates development where infrastructure already exists. The department supports a small to mid-sized local government structure and interacts with county institutions and residents to implement land use strategies.