Landscaping Rules in Albemarle County, VA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Albemarle County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Outside the Rural Areas district, Albemarle County limits tree removal to dead trees or trees under six inches in diameter unless a site plan clears the land for a permitted use, and countywide, no tree within 15 feet of a perennial stream or water-supply impoundment may be cut without one of the ordinance's stated exceptions.
Albemarle County Tree Cutting Restrictions
Some RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code § 18-4.3
A.In districts other than the RA, cutting of trees shall be limited to dead trees and trees of less than six inches in diameter measured at six inches above ground; except that trees may be cleared as an incident to the preparation of land for the establishment of some other use permitted in the district, provided that:1.Such use is exempt from the provisions of section 32 hereof; or2.A site de...
Weed Ordinances
Albemarle County caps grass, weeds, brush and other uncontrolled vegetation at 12 inches on vacant developed property under County Code § 7-502(A)(1). Owners who don't cut face a county-ordered mowing, a $100 administrative charge, and civil penalties up to $200 per repeat violation.
Albemarle County 12-Inch Weed Height Limit
Some RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code § 7-502(A)(1)
A.Uncontrolled vegetation exceeding 12 inches in height is prohibited. It is unlawful for any owner of property to allow uncontrolled vegetation to exceed 12 inches in height. Therefore, except as provided in County Code § 7-503, the owner of any vacant developed or undeveloped property, including property upon which buildings or other improvements are located, must not permit any grass, weeds,...
Water Restrictions
Albemarle County has no standing lawn-watering schedule, but County Code § 16-500 lets the Board of Supervisors and the Albemarle County Service Authority order strict irrigation and outdoor water-use limits once a water-shortage emergency is declared, including a three-gallon watering-can limit and a two-foot pool-fill cap.
Albemarle County Emergency Water Use Restrictions
Some RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code § 16-500
Should the board of supervisors, at any time, declare there to be an emergency in the county arising wholly or substantially out of a shortage of water supply, the Albemarle County Service Authority (the "authority") and its Executive Director (the "executive director") are hereby authorized during continuation of the water emergency to order the restriction or prohibition of any or all uses of...
Native Plants
Albemarle County exempts an approved "natural landscaping" plan built on at least 80 percent native plants from its 12-inch uncontrolled-vegetation nuisance rule, under County Code § 7-503(G). The plan must stay at least five feet from buildings, roads and developed areas and include a plan to manage and eliminate noxious weeds.
Albemarle Native-Plant Landscaping Exemption
Some RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code § 7-503(G)
G.Areas landscaped pursuant to an approved plan of natural landscaping, provided that the natural landscaping: (i) does not encroach within a minimum of five feet from any developed areas, roads, or buildings; and (ii) includes and maintains at least 80 percent native plants by area coverage; and further provided that the approved plan includes a plan to identify and manage native plant materia...
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