Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Commission to study open‑sided ‘gazebo’ rules for piers; VMRC guidance on screens, size and adjacent‑owner objections cited
Summary
Commissioners discussed adding an option for open‑sided shelters (gazebos) on docks, reviewed VMRC language that limits open‑sided structures to 400 sq ft and boathouses to 700 sq ft, and asked staff to clarify whether screens are allowed and how 'adjacent property owner' is defined.
The Planning Commission on July 17 discussed a request to investigate allowing open‑sided shelters — commonly described in the meeting as "gazebos" or "open‑sided shelters" — on piers and docks, and asked staff to seek clarification from the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) about the agency's interpretation of “open‑sided.”
Staff reported that VMRC guidance allows a boathouse that meets VMRC parameters (referred to in the meeting as up to 700 square feet for a boathouse) and allows open‑sided roofs or gazebo structures that do not exceed 400 square feet without triggering a permit, but that larger…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
