Building Setbacks & Zoning in Chesapeake, VA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Chesapeake, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Chesapeake residential setbacks vary by zoning district: R-6 single-family requires 25 ft front, 8 ft side, and 25 ft rear setbacks. Lot coverage is limited to 40 percent in most R districts. Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas impose additional 100-ft RPA buffers.
Building Setbacks: Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsStructure Height Limits
Chesapeake limits residential structures to 35 feet or 2.5 stories in R-6 and R-8 districts, and 45 feet in R-15. Accessory structures are capped at 15 feet or shorter than the principal dwelling. Airport overlay zones near Chesapeake Regional Airport impose stricter limits.
Building Setbacks: Structure Height Limits
Some RestrictionsLot Coverage Limits
Chesapeake residential lot coverage is capped at 40 percent for R-6 and 30 percent for R-8 and R-15 districts. Impervious surface limits are stricter in Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas, where RPA buffers reduce usable building footprint.
Building Setbacks: Lot Coverage
Some RestrictionsLooking for Chesapeake City county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chesapeake city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Chesapeake City →