Stafford County, VA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Height measured from
- Average finished grade at front building line
- A-1 district cap
- 35 feet, Table 3.1
- Exempt features
- Spires, chimneys, antennas, silos, water towers
- First-offense fine
- $100/day, § 28-314(d)
Summary
Stafford County measures building height from the average finished grade at the front building line to the roof's highest point (flat), deck line (mansard) or mid-line (gable, hip or gambrel) under Zoning Ordinance § 28-24(2). Table 3.1 caps the A-1 Agricultural district at 35 feet, though spires, chimneys, antennas and similar rooftop appurtenances not meant for human occupancy are exempt.
Height of structure. The vertical dimension of a structure as measured from the average elevation of the finished grade at the front line of the building to the highest point of the roof of a flat roof, the deck line of a mansard roof, or the mean height level between eaves and ridge (mid-line of the roof) for a gable, hip or gambrel roof. The height limitations contained in Table 3.1 shall not apply to spires, belfries, cupolas, antennas, communication towers, silos, barns, water towers, ventilators, chimneys, or other appurtenances usually required to be placed above the roof level and not intended for human occupancy. ... (6)Maximum height (in feet) ..... 35
Full Breakdown
Section 28-24(2) of the zoning ordinance defines "height of structure" as the vertical dimension measured from the average elevation of finished grade at the front building line up to the highest point of a flat roof, the deck line of a mansard roof, or the mid-line between eaves and ridge for a gable, hip or gambrel roof. 1 under § 28-35 for each zoning district; in the A-1 Agricultural district the table caps structures at 35 feet. 1 do not apply to spires, belfries, cupolas, antennas, communication towers, silos, barns, water towers, ventilators, chimneys or other rooftop appurtenances not intended for human occupancy, so those features may rise above the district's numeric cap without triggering a violation.
Height for airport-zone structures is measured differently, referencing mean sea level under a separate airport-overlay provision, and sign height is likewise defined separately from building height elsewhere in the measurements article.
Violations & Fines
A structure built or altered above the height Table 3.1 allows for its district, without qualifying as one of the exempt rooftop appurtenances, is a zoning violation under § 28-311, with each day of the violation treated as a separate offense. The zoning administrator may issue a civil summons carrying a $100 fine for a first offense and $150 for repeat offenses, capped at $3,000 for violations from the same set of facts, under § 28-314(d).
Frequently Asked Questions
How is building height calculated in Stafford County?
What is the height limit in the A-1 Agricultural district?
Do chimneys or antennas count toward the height limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stafford County
Compare Stafford County to another location·View the Virginia building setbacks & zoning overview
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