Smarter Permitting with GIS: Cumberland County’s Shrink-Swell Soil Solution

Before a shovel ever hits the ground, smart builders and county officials know it’s critical to understand the land with which they’re working. In Cumberland County, Virginia, that means paying close attention to the soil — and thanks to a custom mapping solution designed within our mapping software, iGIS©, it’s easier than ever to do just that.

The Challenge: Unseen Soil Risks

Cumberland County, like many parts of Virginia’s Piedmont region, is known for its “shrink-swell” soils. These clay-rich soils expand dramatically when wet and contract when dry. This constant movement can cause serious structural damage over time — cracking foundations, shifting floors, and damaging utility lines.

For the county’s building department, determining which parcels were at risk was a major hurdle. Without a clear, parcel-specific tool, employees had to manually cross-reference broad soil survey maps, slowing the permitting process and increasing the risk of costly future problems if key soil risks were missed.

The Solution: A Custom Shrink-Swell Layer Built into Cumberland’s GIS

To solve the problem, Cumberland County partnered with us to build a custom shrink-swell map layer tied directly to the county’s parcel data. Now, building officials can zoom in to any parcel and immediately see if it falls within an area flagged for medium or high shrink-swell risk.

When a building permit application comes in, staff simply check the map. If the parcel is in a risk zone, they know to request a shrink-swell soil test before approving construction. This proactive step saves time, reduces future liability, and ensures safer, more resilient development across the county.

As Robert Felts, CBO and Building Official/Fire Marshal for Cumberland County put it:
“This is great. Probably the best feature we’ve added. I will be able to zoom to the exact parcel and be able to see what we need to see. Thanks for your help on this.”

Where the Data Comes From: SSURGO and NRCS Expertise

The accuracy of this mapping layer is no accident. InteractiveGIS’s expert team pulled soil data from the Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO), the gold standard for digital soils information in the United States. Maintained by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the National Cartography and Geospatial Center (NCGC), SSURGO provides detailed data on soil types, characteristics, properties, and land suitability.

This ensures that the custom maps are not only visually helpful but also backed by the most trusted and comprehensive soil science data available — giving county staff and builders confidence in every decision.

Why Shrink-Swell Mapping Matters

Shrink-swell soils are responsible for billions of dollars in damage to buildings and infrastructure each year. In fact, the British Geological Survey estimates that in the U.S., damages from expansive soils exceed $15 billion annually.

The American Society of Civil Engineers reports that half of all homes in the U.S. are built on expansive soils, and half of those will experience some form of damage.

Additionally, a 2025 report from BusinessWire highlights that expansive soils cause an estimated $2.3 billion annually in damage to U.S. buildings and infrastructure, exceeding the combined damage from earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes.

Ignoring shrink-swell conditions can lead to:

• Cracked foundations and basement walls
• Buckling floors and sticking doors
• Broken underground pipes and disrupted utilities
• Roadway heaving and driveway damage
• Higher insurance claims and future repair costs

By catching these risks early through smart mapping, Cumberland County is helping builders and citizens avoid serious long-term issues.

Streamlining Efficiency for County Employees and Citizens

Before the custom layer, identifying soil risks required cumbersome manual checks that delayed permits and left room for oversight. Now, thanks to iGIS©:

• Staff can assess risk instantly at the parcel level
• Builders can anticipate soil testing needs before they design
• Permits are reviewed and approved faster and with greater accuracy
• Citizens benefit from safer construction and reduced future costs

This upgrade boosts daily efficiency and builds public confidence in the county’s permitting process.

A Model for Other Counties

Cumberland County’s success shows how tailored GIS solutions can solve real-world problems. Instead of settling for one-size-fits-all maps, communities can design targeted tools that address local issues — whether it’s soil movement, flood planning, emergency management, or infrastructure mapping.

InteractiveGIS specializes in building these custom modules to help local governments work smarter, faster, and safer.

Better Maps, Better Decisions

Good construction starts with good information. By partnering with us to create a custom shrink-swell soil layer, Cumberland County has made it easier for builders, staff, and citizens to make informed, safe decisions — starting with the ground beneath their feet.

At InteractiveGIS, we believe a map isn’t just a tool — it’s a way to build a stronger future. Customized solutions like this help local governments streamline their work, protect their communities, and make smart investments that pay off for years to come.