The Code of Virginia requires every county, city and town to create a local planning commission to promote the public health, safety, convenience and welfare of its citizens and to plan for the orderly development of the community. The role of the planning commission is to serve primarily in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors.

The primary responsibility of the Planning Commission is the development of the County’s Comprehensive Plan. The comprehensive plan is a long-range plan intended to guide the growth and development of a community. The Code of Virginia states that every county must have an adopted plan and that the plan must be reviewed at least once every five years. The County first adopted a comprehensive plan in 1975. A revised plan was adopted in 1984. In 1997, after three years of development, the County adopted its current plan. The plan is divided into seven chapters and addresses the following topics: history/regional setting, growth trends, natural resources, growth management/land use, community facilities, economic development and infrastructure. The plan is available for review at the Samuels Public Library and is available for purchase at the Warren County Planning Department Office, located at 220 North Commerce Avenue in Front Royal.

The Commission is assisted by the Planning Department staff in developing ordinance revisions and in making recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for proposed amendments. The Commission is also charged with the review of development applications for conformance with the County’s Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances. This involves the review of conditional use permits, rezoning and preliminary site plans as well as addressing other planning issues facing the community. In most instances, a recommendation is then made to the Board of Supervisors on the specific issue. The Board then makes the final decision on whether to approve or deny the request.

Warren County’s first countywide planning commission was created by the Board of Supervisors on September 30, 1958. The Warren County Planning Commission currently consists of five members; one from each magisterial district in the County (North River, Shenandoah, Happy Creek, South River and Fork). Members are appointed for a term of four years. The terms are staggered so that no more than two members’ terms are up for nomination in any one year.

The Warren County Planning Commission meets regularly on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Warren County Government Center. Informal work sessions may be called from time to time to work on issues before the Commission. The public is invited and encouraged to attend every meeting.