Division of Planning
CCZP’s Activity Areas  

Provides technical assistance to public regarding zoning & development provisions

Provides technical assistance to other divisions & government departments regarding 
zoning & development provisions e.g., review of Business License, Earth Change, &
Major CZM permit applications for zoning compliance (VIC, T. 29, Ch. 3, subCh. I, §237 
(e))

Responsible for handling Zoning Map Amendment (rezoning/use variance) process 
(VIC, T. 29, Ch. 3, subCh. I, §237 (c))

Assists Division of Building Permits in conduct of Wireless Facility public 
hearings/informational meetings & preparation of recommendations (VIC, T. 29, Ch. 5, 
subCh. 312 (b)- 8)

Assists Division of Building Permits in conduct of Zip line public hearings & preparation 
of recommendations

Reviews applications for land subdivision into four or more parcels &/or creation of new 
road (VIC, T. 29 Ch. 3, subCh. II)

Reviews & grants Group Dwelling permits (VIC, T. 29, Ch. 3, subCh. I, §237 (b))

Responsible for handling Planned Area Development process (VIC, T. 29, Ch. 3, subCh. I, 
§232)

Responsible for investigation of Zoning Violations (VIC, T. 29, Ch. 3, subCh. I, §235)
What is zoning?
The division of an area into zones to restrict the 
number and types of buildings and their uses.
It is a planning tool.
What is planning?
Planning shapes cities, towns, regions, and even rural areas. Some 
communities are completely designed by planners, such as Greenbelt, 
Maryland. In other communities, planning helps determine how 
communities will grow and how they will adjust to change. Planning 
creates the vision for the community, identifies current problems, 
analyzes trends, engages community members in dialogue about goals 
and issues, and sets the framework for growth and change. (Excerpt from 
the American Planning Association Website)
Planning tools
One common tool used in planning is Geographic Information 
Systems (GIS) that link data and electronic mapping. Other tools may 
include scenario building visualization tools, electronic poling 
systems, financial analysis spreadsheets, and demographic databases. 
Planning tools
Modeling terrain using SketchUP
There are 18 zoning districts
They fall into the following broad categories: 
Agriculture (A-1, A-2)
Residential (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, S, W-1)
Business (B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4)
Commercial (C)
Industrial (I-1, I-2, W-2)
Public (P)
Technical Assistance to public
Zoning Certification form
Review of Earth Change Applications
Review of Business License Applications
Step 1:
Individual applies online through DLCA’s 
website. 
Step 2: CCZP Reviews Online Dashboard and submits 
recommendation
Zoning Map Amendments 
(rezonings/use variances)
Conduct of Wireless Facility 
public hearings
CCZP receives completed application from the 
Division of Building Permits
Prepares public hearing documents: letters to 
applicant, neighbors (within 500’ radius), newspaper 
ad template and sign template
Conducts public hearing 
Prepares recommendation memo for Division of 
Building Permits
Commissioner signs memo acknowledging 
File returned to BP for continued processing
Conduct of Zip line public 
hearings
CCZP receives completed application from the Division of 
Building Permits
Conducts pre-application meeting with participation from other 
divisions
Prepares public hearing documents: letters to applicant, 
neighbors (within 150’ radius), newspaper ad template and sign 
template
Conducts public hearing 
Prepares recommendation memo for Division of Building 
Permits
Commissioner signs memo acknowledging 
File returned to BP for continued processing
Review of Subdivision 
Applications
Group Dwelling Permits 
Planned Area Development 
Process
Similar to Zoning Map Amendment process
Requires Legislative Approval
After Legislative Approval, if construction does not 
proceed within two years, or if there is any revision or 
adjustment to plans already approved by Legislature, 
plans need to be resubmitted for Legislative approval 
again
Zoning Violations
This subchapter enforced by Zoning Administrator 
who shall be the Commissioner of Planning and 
Natural Resources thus complaints must be submitted 
in writing to Commissioner.  
CCZP given instructions to investigate, conducts site 
visit and if warranted, prepares Notice of Violation and 
Order to Cease and Desist
Civil Penalty of $250; Criminal Penalty handled by the 
Attorney General
New developments
USVI Revised Zoning and Subdivision Code
Submitted to the Legislature in 2014
First public meeting was held by the Committee on 
Economic Development, Agriculture, and Planning on 
February 23, 2015. 
DPNR awaiting word on additional public meetings to 
be held by the Committee
Objectives of Revision
Modernize and make our 1972 Zoning and Subdivision 
Codes easier to understand and administer   
Keep updated on zonings
Territorial Zoning Map Amendment database updated 
at least once quarterly 
Division of Planning utilizes:
https://legvi.org/index.php/service/social-care/
(Up-to-date Virgin Islands Code found online; Zoning and 
Subdivision laws can be found under Title 29, Chapter 3, 
subchapter I and II)
Map Geo (GIS database maintained by the GIS Division 
of the Office of the Lt. Governor)