Land Use Education Program
The Land Use Education Program (LUEP) aims to inform the discretion of Virginians as they make decisions regarding the use of Virginia’s land. To that end, the specialized programs help planning commissioners, BZA members, and other community groups such as elected officials, professional planners, engineers, realtors, planning students, and interested citizens, make decisions related to land use development and preservation that are:
- Legal,
- Fact-based,
- Community-oriented, and
- Equitable
LUEP is the home of the nationally recognized Virginia Certified Planning Commissioner Program, which is held several times each year in various parts of the state. We also offer the Virginia Certified Board of Zoning Appeals Program, annual Legal Seminar, seminars/workshops on special topics, and customized training programs.
In addition to our ongoing programming, we work with many wonderful partners across the state and to enhance professional development opportunities for groups such as the APA Virginia Chapter. Our partners and supporters often speak at events, help us to hear about emerging issues, guide and provide oversight to our programming, and provide local assistance, as resources allow.
Upcoming events
Certified Planning Commissioner Program
114th Certified Planning Commissioner Program (Richmond, VA)
- Monday, July 29, 2024
- Tuesday, July 30, 2024
- Monday, September 30, 2024
- Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Click HERE for more information
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115th Certified Planning Commissioner Program (Virtual)
- Thursday, September 12, 2024
- Friday, September 13, 2024
- Thursday, November 21, 2024
- Friday, November 22, 2024
Click HERE for more information
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116th Certified Planning Commissioner Program (Richmond, VA)
- Thursday, January 30, 2025
- Friday, January 31, 2025
- Thursday, March 20, 2025
- Friday, March 21, 2025
Click HERE for more information and to register
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117th Certified Planning Commissioner Program (Virtual)
- Monday, April 7, 2025
- Tuesday, April 8, 2025
- Monday, June 2, 2025
- Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Click HERE for more information and to register
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118th Certified Planning Commissioner Program (Richmond, VA)
- Monday, July 28, 2025
- Tuesday, July 29, 2025
- Monday, September 29, 2025
- Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Click HERE for more information and to register
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Board of Zoning Appeals Program
46th Certified Board of Zoning Appeals Program (Richmond, VA)
Opening Session:
- Thursday, June 20, 2024
- Friday, June 21, 2024
Closing Session:
- Friday, August 30, 2024
Click HERE for more information
47th Board of Zoning Appeals Program (Virtual)
Opening Session:
- Thursday, October 17, 2024
- Friday, October 18, 2024
Closing Session:
- Friday, December 13, 2024
48th Certified Board of Zoning Appeals Program (Richmond, VA)
Opening Session:
- Thursday, April 24, 2025
- Friday, April 25, 2025
Closing Session:
- Monday, June 23, 2025
Click HERE for more information
49th Board of Zoning Appeals Program (Virtual)
Opening Session:
- Monday, August 11, 2025
- Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Closing Session:
- Monday, October 6, 2025
Education
The Land Use Education Program offers a range of online, blended, and face-to-face training opportunities for local governmental officials, professional planners, and interested citizens. Our programs include readings, lectures, and discussions on the local government planning process, the comprehensive plan, plan implementation, and the many plan implementation tools available to local government. The legal foundation of planning, zoning, and other planning techniques are covered in detail. Working with residents and interest groups of the community is emphasized along with an understanding of community change and the new challenges facing Virginia localities.
Our signature Certified programs are nationally recognized and offer a comprehensive training program for planning commissioners and board of zoning appeals members. Annual events provide advanced training on legal and skills-based topics. LUEP often partners with other allied organizations to extend opportunities for our audiences. We are grateful to APA Virginia and other organizations for their commitment to professional development for locally appointed officials and all of Virginia's residents. We welcome opportunities to connect with localities across the Commonwealth to provide local training and regional workshops through our Planning District Commission (PDC) partners and web-based trainings.
LUEP's History
The Virginia Certified Planning Commissioners Program was initiated by Dr Michael Chandler of Virginia Tech in 1984 working with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The nation's first structured training program for members of the local Boards of Zoning appeals followed in 1987. The entire Land Use Education Program was transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University from Virginia Tech in 2018.