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

Sec. 24.1-324 sets the R13 High Density Single-Family Residential District dimensional standards table: a single-family detached dwelling needs a minimum lot area of 13,500 square feet, 90 feet of width, a 30-foot front yard, a 12.5-foot side yard (a footnote lets it shrink to 10 feet if the two side yards together still total at least 25 feet), and a 25-foot rear yard. The R20 Medium Density district in Sec. 24.1-323 is more generous: 20,000 square feet, 100 feet of width, a 40-foot front yard, 15-foot side yards, and a 30-foot rear yard.

Every residential district (RC, RR, R33, R20, R13, R7, RMF) carries its own version of this table, so the applicable district controls which numbers apply. Sec. 24.1-220 treats every street-facing yard on a corner lot as a front yard and requires a minimum 30-foot building setback from the public right-of-way on each one, unless a larger district setback applies; the zoning administrator sets the rear yard location based on the home's orientation. For infill lots in an already built-up block, Sec. 24.1-222 lets a builder match the block's existing average yard instead of the code minimum, but never below 20 feet for a front yard or 10/20 feet for side/rear yards.

Sec. 24.1-224 requires at least 20 feet between two principal structures on the same lot, and Sec. 24.1-225 allows limited encroachments: awnings and bay windows up to 3 feet, eaves and chimneys up to 3 feet, and uncovered stoops up to 6 feet by 6 feet into a required yard; retaining walls and fences are exempt from yard setbacks entirely. Planning and Development Services' zoning administrator reviews building permits and site plans against these tables before construction can begin.