Showing ordinances that apply to University Center, VA
University Center is an unincorporated community (population 3,969) in Loudoun County, Virginia. Because University Center is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal code. Instead, Loudoun County ordinances apply directly to properties here. The lot coverage limits rules below are the ones that govern your area.
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.
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