Loudoun County, VA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- AR-1 max building height
- 35 ft, all subdivision options
- Measured from
- average finished grade
- Measured to
- eave/roof-peak average or flat-roof top
- Exempt structures
- barns, silos, chimneys, antennas
- Enforcement
- Zoning Administrator, § 10.13
Summary
Loudoun County caps building height at 35 ft in the Agricultural Rural-1 (AR-1) Zoning District, the same limit across all three AR-1 development options. Height is measured from average finished grade to the average point between the eaves and roof peak, or to a flat roof's highest point. Barns, silos, farm buildings, chimneys, and utility structures are exempt from the cap.
11 Building Height (max)3: 35 ft / 35 ft / 35 ft / 35 ft [Table 2.04.01-1]. Section 7.01.06.B.3.a: "The building height limitations specified under the zoning district regulations do not apply to: Towers, gables, penthouses, scenery lofts, cupolas, barns, silos, farm buildings, residential chimneys, spires, flag poles, monuments, utility lines and utility poles, telecommunications facilities, radio and/or television antennas, or other similar structures and necessary associated mechanical appurtenances."
Full Breakdown
01 sets a 35 ft maximum building height for the AR-1 District, applying identically to the Base Density Division, Principal/Subordinate Subdivision, and both Cluster Subdivision options: unlike lot coverage and setbacks, height does not vary by subdivision path. B defines how that 35 ft is measured: from the average finished grade where the ground meets the front wall (or the curb line for buildings within 10 feet of the front lot line) up to the average height between the eaves and the highest point of the roof, or to the highest point of a flat roof; a non-aligned parapet wall or design feature is treated as part of the roof for this measurement.
3 then lists structures the 35 ft cap does not reach: towers, gables, penthouses, scenery lofts, cupolas, barns, silos, farm buildings, residential chimneys, spires, flag poles, monuments, utility lines and poles, telecommunications facilities, and radio or television antennas, plus any smokestack, water tank, or radio/radar/television tower sited within a public utility easement provided its height does not exceed its distance to the nearest lot line. 01-1 cross-references this exemption directly. Because AR-1 covers only unincorporated western Loudoun, a residence in Leesburg, Purcellville, Hamilton, Middleburg, Round Hill, Hillsboro, or Lovettsville falls under that town's own height limit instead.
Violations & Fines
Height compliance is confirmed at building permit review and by field inspection under Zoning Ordinance § 10.13. A structure built above 35 ft without qualifying for an exemption receives a notice of violation with a compliance deadline; failure to abate brings a civil penalty of $200 for the first offense and $500 per additional day, capped at $5,000 per set of facts, escalating to a criminal misdemeanor under Code of Virginia § 15.2-2286 once that cap is reached.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a building be in Loudoun County's AR-1 district?
Do barns and silos count toward Loudoun County's 35 ft height cap?
Is the AR-1 height limit the same in Leesburg or Purcellville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Loudoun County
Compare Loudoun County to another location·View the Virginia building setbacks & zoning overview
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