Hampton, VA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Base height cap
- 35 feet
- Bonus cap
- 45 ft w/ 25-ft side yards
- Applies to
- R-LL through R-8 districts
- Enforced by
- Community Development / Zoning Administrator
Summary
Hampton caps one- and two-family homes at 35 feet, with a bump to 45 feet only if both side yards run at least 25 feet deep.
Buildings shall be a maximum of thirty-five (35) feet in height; provided that the height limit for any building may be increased to not more than forty-five (45) feet when side yards of not less than twenty-five (25) feet each are provided.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31 | Zoning: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
Across Hampton's one- and two-family residential districts (R-LL through R-8), the zoning ordinance sets a flat 35-foot maximum building height. A builder can go up to 45 feet, but only by providing side yards of at least 25 feet on each side of the structure: there's no variance shortcut around that trade-off. Chimneys, spires, water towers, elevator penthouses and similar equipment are excluded from the height count under a separate general provision. The standard is identical in R-9, Hampton's common single-family district, and repeats section-by-section through the chapter, as amended through November 2025.
Violations & Fines
Building over 35 feet without qualifying 25-foot side yards is a zoning violation subject to Community Development enforcement, stop-work orders, and required remediation before occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a house be in Hampton, VA?
Do chimneys or antennas count toward the height limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hampton
Compare Hampton to another location·View the Virginia building setbacks & zoning overview
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