Community Development ELM
The Chesterfield County Community Development Division has implemented a new web-based computer system, Enterprise Land Management (ELM), that will handle functions across departments for planning, zoning and development, permitting and inspections, utility connections and code enforcement.
By submitting projects online, you can track the progress and request inspections. Most documents, like site or building plans for example, can be submitted as PDF documents.
ELM encompasses Building Inspection, Community Enhancement, Environmental Engineering, Planning, Real Property Office and Utilities.
Getting Started
To start the process, you must Login to ELM. If you are a new user you will need to register for an account*. For step-by-step instructions on how to register for an account or navigate the portal, review the ELM Portal User Guide (PDF).
*Please Note: If you already created an account through E-Review, you will not need to create a new account.
Using the ELM Portal
Saving yourself a trip and valuable time, the ELM Portal, makes your interactions more efficient, convenient and interactive in real-time. Without registering for an account, you will be able to search all applications.
Registering for an account gives you access to additional features such as:
- Manage Account Information
- Submit Applications
- Pay Fees
- Request an Inspection
- Connect to Water Utilities
- Submit a Code Concern
Need Assistance?
ELM delivers 24/7 web access to the planning, development and permit applications process.
If you need additional assistance between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, excluding holidays, contact one of the following:
- Building Inspection
- Community Enhancement
- Environmental Engineering
- Planning
- Real Property Office
- Utilities
Building Inspection
Have you sat down to schedule an inspection to only not have the permit number? Lost permits and approved stamp plans? If so, the portal will assist you with all those issues. Besides applying for permits and paying fees online, customers will now have access to print and reprint permits and plans, receipts and Certificates of Occupancy. Using the ELM Portal, customers will have access to many self-serve services such as:
- Apply for permits online
- Request inspections
- View plan review status and comments
- View inspection status and comments
- Pay fees
- Print and reprint building inspection approved documents
- Search permit data
Plan Requirements
Commercial Permits Plan Review Requirements
Residential Permits Plan Review Requirements
Building Inspection FAQs
What permits can I apply for through ELM?
All permits:
- Commercial Building
- Residential Building
- Residential Multi-Family
- Sign
- Demolition
- Electrical
- Elevator - Installation
- Fire
- Gas
- Mechanical
- Plumbing
How do I get an approved set of plans once my permit is issued?
After permit issuance, it is the applicant's responsibility for printing the permit document and construction plans to keep on the job site. No construction drawing should be printed at a scale smaller than 1/8 in. = 1 ft.
Am I able to apply for a Walk-Thru permit using the portal?
No, Walk-Thru applications are only accepted in person.
Notice: The Walk-Thru service has been suspended until further notice.
What file format is accepted?
Standard Office documents, Adobe, .pdf's, scans, image files, and/or CAD/.DWG.
Why do my plans have to be bookmarked?
The system is set up to slip sheet the plan pages. The pages are required to be bookmarked in order for this to work. It also helps to see what plan page needs to have corrections. The “Final Report – Corrections Required” will have plan page numbers (bookmarks) listed in the report along with the corrections needed on that page. The applicant will only need to correct and upload those specific pages and not the entire set of plans.
How do I add bookmarks to a PDF document?
There are multiple ways to add bookmarks to PDF's. The easiest way is to add a bookmark to the entire page by right clicking on a page and selecting "Add Bookmark." For other ways to add bookmarks to a PDF, see the documentation from Adobe.
Community Enhancement
ELM on-line services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Entering concerns and viewing status will be easier than ever. Simply log on and view records without having to call the Inspector to find out what has been completed. Using the ELM Portal, customers will have access to many self-serve services such as:
- Enter a Code Concern/Complaint on-line
- View status of Concern/Complaint
- All Concerns/Complaints entered can easily be found by:
- Searching by address
- Searching by record number
- Viewing all records in your collection
- Viewing items saved in your cart
Community Enhancement FAQs
If I already have an account with Citizen Tracker, do I have to create an account in ELM?
Yes, Citizen Tracker will no longer be available. ELM will be the web-based system for code concerns.
See our Online Submittal Guide (PDF) for helpful tips on submitting a concern. If you currently have an account with Citizen Tracker it will not transfer, you will have to create another account in ELM Citizen Access Portal.
Will I be able to check the status of my Code Concern?
Yes, once you log into ELM Portal, not only will you be able to check the status, you will be able to view all your concern records
As the complainant, will my personal information remain confidential?
Yes, no one will be able to access your personal information; it is completely confidential.
Environmental Engineering
Environmental Engineering receives submittals for erosion and sediment control plans, linear plans and timbering plans through ELM. Using the ELM Portal, customers will have access to many self-serve services such as:
- Paying program administration fees for these plan reviews through ELM.
- Checking the status of a land disturbance permit applications.
- Scheduling erosion and sediment control inspections.
Environmental Engineering FAQs
What applications can I apply for through ELM?
- All Linear Projects
- Timbering Projects
- Erosion & Sediment Control Only Projects
- Land Disturbance Permit Applications
When do I pay my fees?
After an application is submitted and reviewed by staff, an invoice will be generated and sent to your account in the ELM Portal where you can pay fees by credit card or e-checks. Timbering projects will be assessed a $100 review fee during the application process.
Why do my plans for linear, timbering and erosion and sediment control applications have to be bookmarked?
For the system to review plans electronically and to identify the pages for the comments, the pages need to be bookmarked.
Planning
Using the ELM Portal, customers will have access to many self-serve services such as:
- Apply for applications online
- View application status and review comments for land use and plans review records
- Schedule inspections
- View inspection status and comments
- Pay fees
- Submit plans, forms and documents
- Download or print applications, documents, review comments, approved plans and receipts as needed
- Search record data and documents
Planning FAQs
What applications can I apply for through ELM?
All Land Use, Site Plan and Subdivision applications.
When do I pay my fees?
After an application is submitted and reviewed by staff, an invoice will be generated and sent to your account in the ELM Portal where you can pay fees by credit card or e-checks.
What are the requirements to submit electronic plans for site plan and subdivision applications?
E-filing of Development Plans to Chesterfield County
How will I know my public hearing dates for my application?
Hearing dates for public hearings will be updated as part of the record's "Processing Status" in the ELM Portal. The scheduled meeting date is documented as the "Due Date" for each of the public hearing types, which are:
- Planning Commission - "CPC Hearing"
- Board of Supervisors - "BOS Hearing"
- Board of Zoning Appeals - "BZA Hearing"
- Historic Preservation Committee - "HPC Hearing"
Why do my plans for site plan and subdivision applications have to be bookmarked?
For the system to review plans electronically and to identify the pages for the comments, the pages need to be bookmarked.
Real Property Office
Using the ELM Portal, customers can submit easement plats to the Real Property Office as a PDF document. Requests also can be made online to the Real Property Office for processing agreements.
Real Property Office FAQs
Can I submit easement plats to the Real Property Office online?
Yes, by using the ELM Portal, plats can be submitted online.
What format should be used to submit easement plats online?
Easement Plats should be submitted as a PDF file format.
Can requests for processing and payments of leases be made online to the Real Property Office?
Yes.
Utilities
Prior to registering within, the ELM Portal, if you are unsure whether a piece of property has public water or wastewater service available, please call 804-748-1864 for assistance. Using the ELM Portal, customers will have access to many self-serve services such as:
- Applying online to connect to the county's water or wastewater system.
- Applying for a Utilities department's residential companion meter for irrigation systems.
Utilities Department FAQs
Can I connect to the county’s water or wastewater system?
The first step in connecting to the county’s water or wastewater system is to ensure service is available. Call 804-748-1864 during county business hours to check for availability or by email. Please include a contact name, the address on where you are checking service for and a contact phone number.
Can I apply for a residential companion meter online?
Yes, using the ELM Portal, you can complete the process and make a payment online.
Use the following instructions:
- Register for an account and then click on Utilities;
- Select Submit an Application;
- Agree to Disclaimer;
- Choose Residential Companion Meter and you will be directed through the application process.
If you are having issues for the Residential Companion Meter application, call 804-748-1862, or, if you would like to apply in person, visit Chesterfield Utilities at 9840 Government Center Parkway, Chesterfield, VA 23832 in the Chesterfield Government Center Complex.