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Rockingham County, VA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

R-1 side/rear setback
10 feet side, 25 feet rear
A-1/A-2 side/rear setback
15 feet side, 25 feet rear
RV side/rear setback
10 feet side, 20 feet rear
Roof/eave encroachment allowed
Up to 2 feet
Enforcing office
Zoning administrator, chapter 17
Base misdemeanor fine
$10 to $1,000

Summary

In Rockingham County outside Harrisonburg and the towns, Zoning Ordinance (chapter 17) Table 17-806.01 fixes minimum yard setbacks by zoning district: an R-1 single-family home needs a 10-foot side yard and a 25-foot rear yard, while A-1 and A-2 agricultural lots need 15-foot side and 25-foot rear yards, all measured under the rules in Sec. 17-803.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Rockingham County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Sec. 17-803.01. - Front setback. (a)The front setback shall be measured at a right angle to the centerline of the road or property line, whichever is closer to the primary structure. ... Structures or

Uses by Zoning Districts Minimum Lot Size Minimum Lot Width Minimum Front Setback Minimum Side Setback Minimum Rear Setback Maximum Building Height ... R-1, Low Density Residential

Single-family detached dwellings 15,000 square feet 100 feet See footnote.** 10 feet 25 feet 35 feet

View official code

Full Breakdown

Sec. 03). 05). 01 then sets the actual minimums by zoning district: in the A-1 Prime Agricultural and A-2 General Agricultural districts, a primary structure needs a 15-foot side and 25-foot rear setback on a minimum 1-acre, 100-foot-wide lot; in R-1 Low Density Residential, a single-family home needs a 10-foot side and 25-foot rear setback on a 15,000-square-foot, 100-foot-wide lot; R-2 and R-3 carry the same 10-foot side, 25-foot rear standard on smaller minimum lots; and Rural Village (RV) parcels need only 10-foot side and 20-foot rear setbacks.

07). No construction may begin until the zoning administrator confirms compliance and issues the required permit under Sec. 17-114; building without meeting a setback is enforced as a zoning violation under Sec. 17-1202.

Violations & Fines

Building a structure that encroaches into a required front, side, or rear setback is a zoning violation under Sec. 17-1202: a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $10 to $1,000, with an added fine of $100 to $1,500 for every ten-day period the encroachment is not corrected, plus possible revocation of any county permit. The zoning administrator can also seek an injunction or abatement order in circuit court to force removal or relocation of a noncompliant structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much side and rear yard does an R-1 house need in Rockingham County?
Table 17-806.01 requires a 10-foot side setback and a 25-foot rear setback for a single-family home in the R-1 Low Density Residential district, on a lot with a minimum 15,000 square feet and 100 feet of width; the front setback follows the table's separate footnote formula.
Are agricultural lots held to different setbacks than residential lots?
Yes. In the A-1 Prime Agricultural and A-2 General Agricultural districts, Table 17-806.01 requires a 15-foot side setback and a 25-foot rear setback for primary structures, wider than the 10-foot side setback used in R-1, R-2, and R-3, reflecting the larger 1-acre minimum lot size in the agricultural districts.
Can a chimney or roof overhang extend into a setback?
Sec. 17-803.06 allows ordinary roof projections such as eaves, gutters, ornamental features, and chimneys to encroach up to 2 feet into a required setback. Any other attached feature counts as part of the main structure for setback purposes, and a foundation survey must show all such encroachments.
What happens if a structure is built inside a required setback?
It is a zoning violation under Sec. 17-1202, a misdemeanor carrying a $10 to $1,000 fine and an additional $100 to $1,500 fine for every ten-day period the violation is not abated; the county can also revoke permits and go to circuit court for an injunction to force removal.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Rockingham County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsStructure Height LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions

All Rockingham County rules

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