Visiting the Development Services Building

Customer Assistance

Upon visiting us at the Development Services Building, your first stop will be the Project Early Assistance Desk in the main lobby. To speed up your approval and make your experience as pleasant as possible, the helpful staff will ask you about your project to determine how best to proceed. They will verify your Prince William County address, and conduct a brief interview to customize the services you receive.

Project Early Assistance Forms

To better assist you during your initial visit to the Development Services Building, two Project Early Assistance forms have been developed.  While their use is not yet mandatory, the forms will provide a better understanding of the customer’s project.

The Project Early Assistance – Initiation Form will provide information so that Development Services staff can be in a better position to provide appropriate feedback.  The form also includes a checklist of information sources.  Including known information as reference during Project Early Assistance will provide the opportunity to outline the next steps as project planning is developed.

The Project Early Assistance – Primary Application Form is a global project form identifying the customer’s project beyond the individual approvals required such as site plan or building plan.  There are no fees associated with the Primary Application Form, nor are any permits issued from the form.  The form is used to provide contact information for the Owner and their agents, in addition to being a central tool to identify the various approvals necessary as part of the customer’s project

Customer Flow Management

The Development Services Building is equipped with an Automatic Queuing System. Project Early Assistance Desk staff will create a service ticket that is custom made for your service needs. The queuing system will allow you to relax in relative comfort in the lobby while your virtual ticket does the waiting in line for you. Please see Automatic Queuing System for more information. 

Project Facilitation

Prince William County is implementing a new partnership approach to the application process. A Process Facilitator will be assigned to help ensure that services are comprehensive and seamless from the customer perspective. For more information about the Project Facilitation Program please e-mail ProjectFacilitation@pwcgov.org.

Useful Links

Department of Development Services

Building Development Division

Land Development Division

Development Ombudsman (e-mail)

Neighborhood Services

Department of Economic Development