Northampton County considers allowing boat houses on private docks

The Northampton County Board of Supervisors is reviewing a proposal to allow boat houses at private docks to protect boats from weather conditions. The recommendation, put forth by Zoning Administrator Michael Starling, suggests revisions to the county’s zoning regulations to permit boat houses under specific conditions.

Proposed Changes to Zoning Regulations

Starling recommends revising the Use Chart in Appendix A to add “Boat House” under Category 5 – Marine Related Uses in all zoning districts where private recreational docks are permitted. This change would apply countywide, with the exception of properties in Existing Industrial and Working Waterfront zones. The structures would require a Minor Special Use Permit (SUP), allowing for public input from neighboring property owners.

Additionally, the definition of a boat house would be formally outlined in zoning regulations as:
“A single-story, open-sided structure not exceeding 700 square feet, with a maximum height of 15 feet above Mean High Water, limited to the storage of watercraft and/or watercraft equipment and constructed over the water.”

Permitting and Oversight

Under the proposed framework, property owners seeking to build a boat house would need to file a Joint Permit Application with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), the same process required for docks. Applications would then be forwarded to Northampton County for review.

Starling noted that the 700-square-foot size limit was chosen because VMRC does not require a permit for structures under this threshold. However, boat houses would still need to be permitted and inspected by the county’s Building Official to ensure compliance with safety and structural standards.

Consideration of Gazebos on Docks

In addition to boat houses, Starling suggests that the county consider adding gazebos to the same permitting process. Currently, gazebos are allowed by right on docks, meaning property owners can build them without additional county review.

The proposed definition for gazebos would be:
“A residential accessory building consisting of a detached, covered, free-standing, open-air structure not exceeding 300 square feet, with a maximum height of 15 feet, designed for recreational use only and not for habitation.”

The proposed changes must go before the Northampton County Planning Commission for consideration before any final decisions are made. The Minor SUP process would ensure that neighboring property owners have an opportunity to provide input before boat houses are approved.

If enacted, the new regulations would offer greater flexibility for waterfront property owners while maintaining oversight through county permitting and inspections. The Board of Supervisors is expected to discuss the proposal further in upcoming meetings.