In conformance with the Chesapeake Bay Protection Act, the City of Newport News adopted a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance and Map in 1990, which has been updated as needed to maintain consistency with state regulations. The purpose of the ordinance (Chapter 37.1, Stormwater Management, Article 5: Chesapeake Bay Preservation) is to protect community and state waters from further degradation and improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and other state waters through effective land use planning and management.
The City implements the Chesapeake Bay Protection Act through its subdivision and site plan review processes. All development and redevelopment within the City’s Chesapeake Preservation Area (CBPA) must go through either subdivision or site plan review. Proposed location and magnitude of a project determines the extent of City review. Forms and applications for Site Plan and Subdivision reviews are available and processed through the Department of Planning - Development Services.
The following documents are provided to assist property owners and developers in understanding the City’s CBPA review process.