Chesapeake residential setbacks vary by zoning district: R-6 single-family requires 25 ft front, 8 ft side, and 25 ft rear setbacks. Lot coverage is limited to 40 percent in most R districts. Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas impose additional 100-ft RPA buffers.
Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance Articles 3-5 establish setbacks for residential districts. R-6 (most common single-family): 25 ft front, 8 ft side, 25 ft rear. R-8 (larger lots): 35 ft front, 10 ft side, 35 ft rear. R-15 agricultural-residential: 50 ft front, 15 ft side, 50 ft rear. Waterfront lots subject to the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act (9VAC25-830) require a 100-foot Resource Protection Area (RPA) buffer from wetlands and shorelines, plus a 50-foot Resource Management Area. Corner lots have setbacks on both street frontages. Variances require Board of Zoning Appeals approval.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Chesapeake, VA
Chesapeake does not impose gas leaf blower bans or specific decibel caps. Leaf blower use is regulated by the general noise ordinance (City Code Chapter 38) ...
Chesapeake, VA
Vehicle noise in Chesapeake includes restrictions on modified exhaust, squealing tires, and loud car audio. Sound systems audible at 50 feet can be cited und...
Chesapeake, VA
Chesapeake treats persistent dog barking as a public nuisance under City Code Chapter 10 (Animals) and Chapter 38 (Noise). Barking that continues for 20 minu...
Chesapeake, VA
Amplified music in Chesapeake must not be plainly audible at 50 feet from the source between 10 PM and 7 AM (11 PM to 8 AM on weekends). Outdoor events with ...
Chesapeake, VA
Chesapeake fence height limits are typically 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in rear and side yards under the Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance. Corner lots and p...
Chesapeake, VA
Chesapeake requires all dogs to be under physical restraint (leash or confinement) when off the owners property under City Code Chapter 10. Leash length is n...
See how Chesapeake's setback rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.