The Planning Commission is a body of 7 citizens appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Each Commissioner represents an election district. State Code requires that the Planning Commission review and make recommendations of the County's Comprehensive Plan, Capital Improvements Plan, changes to the subdivision and zoning ordinances, rezonings, and conditional use permits.

The Planning Commission has approval authority of preliminary subdivision plans and requests for determination of compliance with the Comprehensive Plan. The subdivision ordinance allows the Planning Commission to have discretionary approval of private access easements (residential private streets) and any request for waivers of the subdivision ordinance requirements.

The Planning Commission also has a representative on the Technical Review Committee (TRC). The TRC reviews all major development projects for compliance with county ordinances and policies.

The Planning Commission has a number of standing committees: CIP, Comprehensive Plan, Ordinance Review Members of the Planning Commission also serve an advisory function to the Architectural Review Board and Parks & Recreation Commission, Old Falmouth Renaissance Commission.

The Planning Commission meets the first and third Wednesday of each month beginning at 7:30 p.m. Meetings are held in the Board of Supervisors Chambers located in the Stafford County Administration Center, 1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford, Virginia.  The Planning Commission does not have offices in the County complex. The Planning and Zoning Department works as staff to the Commission.