you are here: Home > Business > Development, Land Use & Construction > Special Exception

Special Exception

What is a Special Exception?

A special exception may be granted by the Planning Commission for relief of specific Zoning Ordinance requirements only under special circumstances. The Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance specifies when a property owner can apply for a special exception. Consideration for a special exception can be processed as part of a required preliminary site plan or subdivision plan review or as a separate request.

Application Deadline

Monday prior to the 2nd Wednesday of the month by 5 p.m.

Planning Commission Public Hearings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.
See Planning Commission Public Hearing Schedule

Applicant Responsibilities

A complete Special Exception application form.
The original and three (3) copies of the complete Special Exception application, with original signatures on one copy, including all required development information
Legal Description and common street address of the property
(page 3)
Payment of Filing Fee
Adjacent Property Owners List of names and addresses
(page 5) Stamped #10 (4 1/8” by 9 1/2”) enveloped with the name and mailing address of each adjacent property owner printed legibly
Post a sign (supplied by the Planning Department) two Wednesdays prior to the Planning Commission Public Hearing),
Advertising Fees will be billed separately (average cost is $100 per
advertisement, with a minimum of two (2) advertisements required)
Site Plans and Maps
   Zoning Map - reduced to 8½” x 11” paper.
   Map of the property - reduced to 8½” x 11” paper.
   Vicinity Map - reduced to 8½” x 11” paper.
Preliminary Site Plan of the proposed development, drawn to scale
Submit 30 copies, plus 2 copies reduced to 11” by 17” paper, plus 2 copies reduced to 8 ½” by 11” paper

Required Forms & Instructions

Special Exception Application (7 pages, print-onlyPDF)

Special Exception Application Instructions (3 pages, )

City of Chesapeake, Virginia