Wetlands is administered through the Planning and Zoning Department. The Mathews County Wetlands Board only has jurisdiction over tidal wetlands.
Vegetated & Non-Vegetated Wetlands
Wetlands grasses may be cut. You cannot place anything (i.e. rocks, boards, structures, rubble, trash, tires, tree trimming debris, etc.) on vegetated or non-vegetated wetlands without a permit.
- "Non-Vegetated Wetlands" means unvegetated lands lying contiguous to mean low water and between mean low water and mean high water.
- "Vegetated Wetlands" means land lying between and contiguous to mean low water and an elevation above mean low water equal to the factor one and one-half times the mean tide range.
Obtain a Permit
For placement of material on or around vegetated or non-vegetated wetlands, a Tidewater Joint Permit Application (JPA) (PDF) must be completed. If a hearing is required, Wetlands Board meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 pm in the Historic Courtroom of Mathews County, Mathews, Virginia.
For Oyster Floats / Osprey Poles
A JPA for Shellfish Aquaculture Structures (PDF) must be completed.
Fees for Tidewater Joint Permits Requiring Wetlands Board Hearings
Tidewater Joint Permits | Fee |
---|
Application for single user (private, non-commercial, residential) with the advertising fee paid by the County | $150 |
Application for multi-user (commercial, community, industrial, government) with he advertising fee paid by the County. | $200 |
After-the-Fact Application | Double the application fee and additionally are subject to possible violation fees up to $10,000 |
2021 Application Submittal Deadlines