Loudoun County lot coverage limits vary by zone: R-1 residential typically 30% building coverage; PD-H (Ashburn, Brambleton) often 50-60% based on approved plan. A-3 Agricultural Rural has very low coverage (under 10%). Total impervious surface (buildings plus driveways and patios) may trigger stormwater management per Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area standards. PD-IP industrial (data centers) can approach 70-80% coverage. The Facilities Standards Manual supplements zoning with engineering standards.
Loudoun County Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance defines two concepts: 'lot coverage' (building footprint percentage) and 'floor area ratio' (FAR). Typical residential lot coverage: R-1: 30% building coverage maximum, which includes primary dwelling plus accessory structures. R-2: 35%. R-4, R-8, R-16: graduated to 45-50%. PD-H (Ashburn, Broadlands, Brambleton, Lansdowne): coverage per approved Concept Development Plan, typically 50-60% including all buildings and significant hardscape. A-3 Agricultural Rural: strict low coverage, often under 10% to preserve rural character (no absolute cap but limited via minimum lot size 20+ acres). TR Transitional: 35%. PD-IP and IP Industrial (data centers): 70-80% possible. Commercial (CLI, CC): 50-60%. Loudoun County is partially within the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (RPA/RMA designations apply east of Route 15 along Potomac and Goose Creek watersheds per VA Code §10.1-2109); impervious surface within RPAs is further restricted. Loudoun County Stormwater Management Ordinance Ch. 1096 requires stormwater plans for any disturbance over 2,500 sq ft in RPAs or 10,000 sq ft elsewhere. Permeable pavers may receive partial credit per Facilities Standards Manual (FSM) Chapter 5. Driveways, patios, pools, and accessory buildings all counted.
Exceeding lot coverage (Zoning Ord. §5-900, Ch. 1096): site plan rejection; retroactive removal of impervious surface required. Fines $200-$2,500. Chesapeake Bay RPA violations: $10,000+ per day under VA §62.1-44.15:74.
Loudoun County, VA
Loudoun County has no leaf-blower-specific restrictions; use falls under general noise ordinance timing limits. Many Ashburn, Brambleton, and Leesburg HOAs s...
Loudoun County, VA
Loudoun driveways must meet VDOT entrance standards on state roads and county subdivision standards elsewhere. No parking on front lawns; driveway expansion ...
Loudoun County, VA
Loudoun Zoning Ordinance prohibits commercial vehicles over 12,000 lbs GVWR in residential zones. One work van typically allowed. Dulles-area trucking and da...
Loudoun County, VA
Loudoun permits wood, vinyl, aluminum, and 3-board wood fencing in horse country. Barbed wire restricted to agricultural zones. Historic districts require tr...
Loudoun County, VA
Virginia has no shared fence cost statute — each Loudoun property owner maintains their own fence. VA §55.1-2821 partition fence law applies to agricultural ...
Loudoun County, VA
Loudoun County does not ban specific breeds. Virginia does not preempt local BSL but Loudoun uses a behavior-based dangerous dog framework under VA §3.2-6540.
See how Loudoun County's lot coverage limits rules stack up against other locations.
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