“The Comprehensive Plan is a far-ranging and dynamic blueprint that will outline and guide Frederick County’s growth over the next 25 years.” – Timothy Stowe, Planning Commission Chairman (Red Bud District)

What is a Comprehensive Plan?

A comprehensive plan addresses the future growth of a community. Frederick County’s adopted plan was last updated in 2021 and information about the Plan can be found here.  

The Code of Virginia § 15.2-2223 authorizes localities to prepare and adopt comprehensive plans “with the purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development.”

Comprehensive Plan Update

Frederick County’s Planning and Development department is working with community members, key stakeholders, and appointed and elected officials to update its Comprehensive Plan and envision what the future looks like for the County. The planning process will address future land use, transportation, rural areas, housing, community facilities, infrastructure and economic development (anticipated completion late-2027).  

Background studies, draft materials, and upcoming community engagement opportunities will be posted here for viewing.

Background Studies

The first step in creating a new Comprehensive Plan is gathering data. A series of background studies were commissioned to assist the community in understanding current trends, future needs, and potential costs of certain types of development. These studies are the foundation of the Plan update and are posted below for the public to review.

• A Community Profile (July 2025) was completed by the Berkley Group. The Community Profile analyzes and provides an in-depth overview of existing conditions in the County to serve as a foundation for community-oriented and data-driven decision making. 
  
  
• A Market Analysis (March 2026) was completed by Partners for Economic Solutions (PES). The market analysis reviews trends and estimates potential for residential, office, industrial, flex space, retail and hotel development to 2045.
  
  
• A Cost of Land Use Fiscal Analysis (March 2026) was completed by Tischer Bise. A Cost of Land Use Fiscal Impact Analysis evaluates the fiscal impact of various residential and nonresidential prototype land uses, considering factors like household size, market values, and vehicle trips. It seeks to evaluate the question, “What type of development pays for itself?” and “What are the factors that contribute to the results?”

Transportation Modeling will occur during Plan drafting after assumptions about future land use and transportation improvements are proposed. Modeling updates and results will be posted at later date. 

Public Participation, Schedule, and Community Engagement Opportunities

To facilitate an orderly comprehensive planning process, the County has assembled a Plan Charter and Public Participation Plan (PPP). The Public Participation Plan (PPP) outlines how community stakeholders and partners will be engaged in the planning process for the development of Frederick County’s new Comprehensive Plan. Outreach and participation will be inclusive, transparent, and integral to the success of the planning effort. Ultimately, the Plan should reflect the communities’ shared values, a unified vision, and goals and implementation strategies to implement the communities’ vision. 

The full schedule is outlined in the Public Participation Plan.

A summary of community engagement, surveying, and feedback collected February 2026 to July 2026 is available here. A full report of responses received through community survey #1, and the topic-based questionnaires from community meetings is linked below. Citizens may continue to provide staff with comments and their vision for the future of Frederick County at any time throughout the plan update process.