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| charlottesville [2024/11/07 18:47] – created admin | charlottesville [2026/07/01 14:19] (current) – Split monolithic Charlottesville guide into per-process pages admin |
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| Start a business | ====== Charlottesville, Virginia — Regulatory Process Guide ====== |
| |
| <bpmnio type="bpmn"> | This wiki documents civic processes for residents, property owners, and businesses operating in the City of Charlottesville, Virginia. Each section maps a workflow from the [[https://library.municode.com/va/charlottesville/codes/code_of_ordinances|Charlottesville City Code of Ordinances]] as an interactive BPMN process diagram. Use this as a starting point to understand what steps are required, which city departments are involved, and where to find official forms. |
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| <bpmn:manualTask id="Activity_0qmsp6k" name="Show Home Buisiness Link"> | |
| <bpmn:extensionElements> | |
| <spiffworkflow:instructionsForEndUser>Check here for <a href="https://www.charlottesville.gov/DocumentCenter/View/282/Home-Occupation-Permit-PDF?bidId=" target="_blank" >Home Occupation Provisional Use Permit</a>.</spiffworkflow:instructionsForEndUser> | |
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| <bpmn:incoming>Flow_10dyx8z</bpmn:incoming> | |
| <bpmn:outgoing>Flow_1wcf12f</bpmn:outgoing> | |
| </bpmn:manualTask> | |
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| <bpmn:manualTask id="Activity_02foowe" name="Show Certificate of Occupancy Link"> | |
| <bpmn:extensionElements> | |
| <spiffworkflow:instructionsForEndUser>Check here for <a href="https://www.charlottesville.gov/DocumentCenter/View/281/General-Certificate-of-Occupancy-InformationPDF?bidId=" target="_blank" >general Certificate of Occupandy (CO)</a>.</spiffworkflow:instructionsForEndUser> | |
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| <bpmn:outgoing>Flow_19b4x60</bpmn:outgoing> | |
| </bpmn:manualTask> | |
| <bpmn:sequenceFlow id="Flow_07gdj65" name="No" sourceRef="Gateway_0hfiam3" targetRef="Activity_02foowe" /> | |
| <bpmn:sequenceFlow id="Flow_19b4x60" sourceRef="Activity_02foowe" targetRef="Gateway_0wbp3s5" /> | |
| <bpmn:exclusiveGateway id="Gateway_00gois9" name="Sign?" default="Flow_0vy9mq9"> | |
| <bpmn:incoming>Flow_0iglxtm</bpmn:incoming> | |
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| <bpmn:outgoing>Flow_0vy9mq9</bpmn:outgoing> | |
| </bpmn:exclusiveGateway> | |
| <bpmn:sequenceFlow id="Flow_1g23ecq" name="Yes" sourceRef="Gateway_00gois9" targetRef="Activity_1x43ko3"> | |
| <bpmn:conditionExpression>isSign</bpmn:conditionExpression> | |
| </bpmn:sequenceFlow> | |
| <bpmn:sequenceFlow id="Flow_1xlwx3y" sourceRef="Activity_1x43ko3" targetRef="Gateway_1lanz04" /> | |
| <bpmn:manualTask id="Activity_1x43ko3" name="Show Sign Link"> | |
| <bpmn:extensionElements> | |
| <spiffworkflow:instructionsForEndUser>This link is broken. Call 970-3182.</spiffworkflow:instructionsForEndUser> | |
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| <bpmn:sequenceFlow id="Flow_1qfoj5n" sourceRef="Activity_09xy8q3" targetRef="Gateway_0hfiam3" /> | |
| <bpmn:manualTask id="Activity_09xy8q3" name="Show Business License Application Link"> | |
| <bpmn:extensionElements> | |
| <spiffworkflow:instructionsForEndUser>Check here for <a href="https://www.charlottesville.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4733/Business-License-Application-PDF-CY-2023?bidId=" target="_blank" >Business License application</a>.</spiffworkflow:instructionsForEndUser> | |
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| </bpmn:process> | |
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| <dc:Bounds x="750" y="10" width="100" height="80" /> | |
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| <bpmndi:BPMNShape id="Gateway_00gois9_di" bpmnElement="Gateway_00gois9" isMarkerVisible="true"> | |
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| |
| </bpmnio> | **Primary contact:** Neighborhood Development Services (NDS), City Hall, 605 E Main St · (434) 970-3182 |
| |
| | ---- |
| | |
| | |
| | ===== Process Directory ===== |
| | |
| | This guide is organized as one page per civic process. Each process page follows the same format: governing city code chapter, key official links, and an interactive BPMN process diagram. Select a process below. |
| | |
| | ===== I. Business & Licensing ===== |
| | * [[charlottesville:01_starting_a_business|Starting a Business in Charlottesville]] |
| | |
| | ===== II. Building & Construction ===== |
| | * [[charlottesville:02_building_permit|Building Permit Process]] |
| | * [[charlottesville:03_electrical_permit|Electrical Permit & Lamp / Fixture Installation]] |
| | |
| | ===== III. Zoning & Land Use ===== |
| | * [[charlottesville:04_zoning_variance_sup|Zoning Variance & Special Use Permit]] |
| | * [[charlottesville:05_subdivision|Subdivision of Land]] |
| | |
| | ===== IV. Signs ===== |
| | * [[charlottesville:06_sign_permit|Sign Permit Process]] |
| | |
| | ===== V. Historic Preservation ===== |
| | * [[charlottesville:07_bar_coa|Board of Architectural Review (BAR) — Certificate of Appropriateness]] |
| | |
| | ===== VI. Environmental & Utilities ===== |
| | * [[charlottesville:08_water_stormwater|Water Protection / Stormwater]] |
| | * [[charlottesville:09_solid_waste|Solid Waste & Recycling]] |
| | |
| | ===== VII. Special Activities & Public Space ===== |
| | * [[charlottesville:10_special_events|Amusements & Special Events]] |
| | * [[charlottesville:11_city_market|City Market Vendors]] |
| | * [[charlottesville:12_special_sales|Special Sales (Yard Sales, Going-Out-of-Business)]] |
| | |
| | ===== VIII. Transportation ===== |
| | * [[charlottesville:13_streets_row|Streets & Sidewalks — Encroachments & Right-of-Way Permits]] |
| | * [[charlottesville:14_vehicles_for_hire|Vehicles for Hire (Taxis, TNCs)]] |
| | |
| | ===== IX. Taxation ===== |
| | * [[charlottesville:15_taxes|Business & Property Taxes]] |
| | |
| | ===== X. Animals & Noise ===== |
| | * [[charlottesville:16_animals|Animal Regulations]] |
| | * [[charlottesville:17_noise|Noise Control]] |
| | |
| | ===== Quick Reference: City Departments ===== |
| | |
| | ^ Department ^ Primary Responsibilities ^ Contact ^ |
| | | Neighborhood Development Services (NDS) | Zoning, building permits, BAR, sign permits, subdivisions | (434) 970-3182 | |
| | | Commissioner of Revenue | Business licenses, BPOL tax, vehicle decals | (434) 970-3170 | |
| | | City Treasurer | Tax payments, real estate, personal property | (434) 970-3146 | |
| | | Public Works | ROW permits, streets, stormwater | (434) 970-3800 | |
| | | City Utilities | Water/sewer connections and permits | (434) 970-3500 | |
| | | City Market | Vendor licensing | (434) 970-3371 | |
| | |
| | ---- |
| | |
| | |
| | ---- |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | ===== XI. FOIA — Freedom of Information Act ===== |
| | |
| | Virginia FOIA governs public access to government records and open meetings. See the dedicated deep-dive page for complete process flows, SpiffWorkflow implementation guidance, role mapping, and legal reference. |
| | |
| | **→ [[charlottesville:foia|FOIA Deep-Dive: Records Requests, Open Meetings, Enforcement & SpiffWorkflow Implementation]]** |
| | |
| | Key processes covered: |
| | * Citizen records request process with all response types (§ 2.2-3704) |
| | * Internal FOIA Officer workflow with deadline enforcement |
| | * Open meetings compliance for all city boards (§§ 2.2-3707 – 2.2-3712) |
| | * Court enforcement (§ 2.2-3713) and penalties (§ 2.2-3714) |
| | * SpiffWorkflow roles, service task connectors, form schemas, and DMN exemption table |
| | |
| | **Charlottesville FOIA Contact:** City Attorney's Office · 434-970-3131 · [[https://www.charlottesville.gov/774/Submit-a-FOIA-Request|Submit a Request Online]] |
| | |
| | ---- |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | ===== Full Code of Ordinances ===== |
| | |
| | Browse the complete [[https://library.municode.com/va/charlottesville/codes/code_of_ordinances|Charlottesville Code of Ordinances on Municode]]. The code is organized into 34 chapters covering all areas of city regulation. The most recent supplement is Supplement 63 (updated February 2026). |
