Overview
The City of Manassas requires a wide variety of zoning approvals and certifications for uses. These approvals are required for residential or commercial districts depending on the type of request. Visit to the Applications, Forms and Fees page.

Residential Zoning Permits / Approvals
View the following information about residential zoning certificates, home occupation, home child care, and yard sales.

Zoning Certificate - Residential
In general, it is recommended to call development services before you proceed with any exterior changes to your yard. The most commonly overlooked approvals for residential uses are the certifications for routine items such as: 

• Driveway expansion
• Small sheds of less than 200 square feet (Sheds over 200 square feet require a building permit)
• Fences or retaining / landscaping walls of any heights (Fences over 6 feet in height require a building permit and retaining walls over 3 feet require a building permit)
• Storage of campers and RV’s

The following items are required for submission: 

• Completed zoning certificate application (ZCT) 
• Your house location survey (original size)
• A fee of $25

Home Occupation
If you would like to open a home office in your place of residence, a Home Occupation will need to be obtained. Home Occupations are regulated by Article 3 of the Zoning Ordinance. The following items are required for submission:

• Completed Home Occupation Form. This can be obtained at the development services counter:
  City Hall
  9027 Center St.
  Room 201
  Manassas, VA 20110
• Virginia issued ID / driver's license (with Manassas city address)
• Vehicle registration
• A fee of $25

Home Child Care
The home based child care permit is required for any home based child care (which can have a maximum of five children) in the city. The following items are required for submission:

• Completed Home Child Care Form. This can be obtained at the development services counter:
  City Hall
  9027 Center St.
  Room 201
  Manassas, VA 20110
• Virginia issued ID / driver's license (with Manassas city address)
• A fee of $25

Yard Sales
A yard sale does not require a permit from the city. However, Article 3 of the Zoning Ordinance does have rules regarding yard sales:

• No more than two yard sales are held within a given calendar year by the same household at the same location and last no more than three consecutive days.
• All signs shall be located upon stakes, not on a city structure or tree, and shall not exceed two square feet maximum aggregate area and shall be located only on the shoulder of the road adjacent to a sidewalk and not within the median strips.
• Signs shall not be installed until the night prior to the event.
• Signs shall be removed the last evening of the event and not allowed to remain beyond the date of the event.
• No more than four off-premise signs are used to direct traffic to the site.

Commercial Zoning Permits / Approvals
View the following information about temporary directional signs, temporary banners, commercial outdoor events, temporary use, and business grand openings and events.

Temporary Directional Signs
Temporary directional signs may be erected in any zoning district subject to the provisions of Article 4 of the Zoning Ordinance. An agreement form must be submitted and approved to obtain issuance of a permit for 20 temporary signs which may only be posted on weekends. The following items are required for submission:

• Completed Temporary Directional Sign Agreement 
• $500 bond
• A fee of $50

Temporary Banners
Banner signs are permitted as temporary signs subject to the provisions of Article 4 of the Zoning Ordinance. Approval of temporary banners are good for one year and permits the banner to be displayed 14 days in a month. To obtain approval the following items are required for submission: 

• Letter identifying your request and a phone number that we can reach you at during the day
• Sketch showing size of banner
• A fee of $25

Commercial Outdoor Event
Commercial properties are permitted up to two outdoor events per year. However, before an outdoor event may be held, it must be approved by the city. Please note the city requires three weeks to process the request. To obtain approval the following items are required for submission:

• Letter identifying your request and a phone number that we can reach you at during the day
• Site sketch depicting how the event will be set up
• A fee of $50

Temporary Use
Roadside stands for the temporary retail sales of seasonal and holiday goods, including fireworks, for a period not to exceed 30 consecutive days, and activities of a similar nature, may be administratively approved in any commercial or industrial zoning district by the zoning administrator through the issuance of a temporary use permit when, in the administrator's judgment, the public health, safety, and welfare will not be impaired; when the use is not so recurring in nature as to constitute a permanent use; and when the conditions of Article 3 of the Zoning Ordinance are met. To obtain approval the following items are required for submission:

• Completed Temporary Use Application 
• Copy of site plan
• $500 Bond
• A fee of $25

Business Grand Opening / Business Events
When a business first opens or is closing, the business may apply for a grand opening or closing event. In order to hold the event, approval must be obtained in advance from the city. To obtain approval the following items are required for submission: 

• Letter identifying your request or question and a phone number that we can reach you at during the day
• Drawings of all signs and banners
• A fee of $25

Other Zoning Reviews 
Zoning Administrator Interpretations and Certifications

Applicable Regulations 
Zoning Ordinance