Chesterfield County, VA Ordinances (2026)

Chesterfield County's noise ordinance sets no numeric decibel limit. It relies on a 'plainly audible' standard measured inside a neighbor's dwelling or at 50 or more feet, so police do not need a sound meter to issue a citation.

Chesterfield County does not regulate aircraft noise. Aircraft operations and noise are governed by the Federal Aviation Administration under federal law, which preempts local noise ordinances; the county's Sec. 14-27 standards do not apply to aircraft in flight.

Chesterfield County's noise ordinance targets sound that is 'plainly audible' from inside a neighbor's home or at 50+ feet, particularly during the hours of 12:01 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. No decibel meter is required to prove a violation.

Chesterfield County's noise ordinance sets no separate construction-hours curfew, but it bans plainly audible lawn, landscaping and tree-work noise in residential areas between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and refuse loading between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

In Chesterfield County it is unlawful to let an animal or bird make noise that is plainly audible at least once a minute for 10 consecutive minutes inside a neighbor's home or from 50 or more feet away. Agricultural-district farm animals are exempt.

Amplified music is unlawful in Chesterfield County when it is plainly audible inside a neighbor's home or from 50 or more feet away, especially between 12:01 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Parks, sporting events and authorized parades are exempt.

Chesterfield County has no separate leaf-blower decibel rule, but Sec. 14-27(g) bans plainly audible noise from leaf removal, lawn care and landscaping in residential areas between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Chesterfield County bans playing a vehicle's radio or sound system so it is plainly audible 50 or more feet from the car. Loud exhaust is separately governed by Virginia's statewide muffler law.

Outdoor music at a party in Chesterfield County is unlawful when plainly audible in a neighbor's home or at 50+ feet during overnight hours, and Sec. 14-27(b) specifically covers gatherings of ten or more people. Parks and sanctioned events are exempt.

Chesterfield County bars outdoor loudspeakers and sound devices at stores, warehouses and commercial buildings when they are plainly audible on a public sidewalk or street, unless used only intermittently for paging or permitted by zoning. Industrial districts are also governed…

Chesterfield has no noise rule specific to short-term rentals; guests must comply with the county's general noise ordinance, which prohibits unreasonably loud or disturbing sound in residential areas.

Chesterfield's zoning standards do not require short-term rental hosts to carry liability insurance, and Virginia sets no statewide STR insurance mandate. Owners typically rely on homeowner or platform host-protection coverage.

Chesterfield's zoning does not publish a separate short-term rental parking count. Guests use the dwelling's existing off-street parking (driveway and garage), and the county's general parking and street rules apply.

Chesterfield permits short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) as a regulated use under the 2026 Zoning Ordinance. Operators must meet the short-term rental use standards in Zoning Ordinance section 19.2-32-40 and register with the county before advertising.

Short-term rental operators must obtain a Certificate of Registration from the Commissioner of the Revenue and include the rental permit number on all advertisements. Booking platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo must collect and remit the county's occupancy tax.

Chesterfield's zoning requires each short-term rental to be operated by the property owner, and allows only one per lot. The code ties the rental to the owner rather than a tenant or off-site manager.

Chesterfield requires the property owner to operate the short-term rental, but the zoning standards do not require the host to be physically present or on-site during guest stays.

Chesterfield levies an 8% transient occupancy tax on lodging rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days, including short-term rentals. Stays of 30 or more consecutive days are exempt. Establishments with 41+ rooms add a 2% tourism improvement district fee.

Chesterfield's zoning short-term rental standards cap occupancy at eight adults per night and allow only one short-term rental per lot. The use must be operated by the property owner.

Chesterfield sets no maximum number of rental nights per year. The defining limit is that each booking must be under 30 consecutive days; a guest occupying 30 or more consecutive days is no longer transient and is tax-exempt.

Smoke alarms are required in all Chesterfield homes under Virginia's building and fire codes: in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level including basements. Landlords must certify annually, on request, that alarms are installed and working.

Chesterfield County imposes no California-style wildfire defensible-space or brush-clearance mandate. Overgrown vegetation is handled as a property-maintenance nuisance (tall grass and weeds), while woodland fire risk is managed through Virginia's seasonal 4 PM Burning Law.

Portable propane cylinders must be stored upright in an approved, tamper-resistant enclosure, at least 10 feet from doorways and combustible materials and 20 feet from motor-fuel dispensers. Never store grill cylinders inside a home, garage or basement.

Chesterfield bans all consumer fireworks, even sparklers and fountains that Virginia otherwise allows as permissible fireworks. Aerial and exploding devices are illegal statewide. Only licensed professionals with a county fire-marshal permit may hold supervised public displays.

Recreational fire pits are allowed without a permit if you burn only clean wood, keep the fire no larger than 3 feet wide, 3 feet deep and 2 feet high, stay 25 feet from combustibles, and attend it until fully out.

Open burning is prohibited entirely May 1 through Sept. 30. During Feb. 15 through April 30, Virginia's 4 PM Burning Law allows burning only between 4 p.m. and midnight. Burn only clean wood in a proper fire; never burn trash.

Backyard recreational fires are allowed without a permit if you burn only clean firewood, keep the fire within 3 ft x 3 ft x 2 ft, stay 25 feet from anything combustible, and attend it until out. No burning May 1 through Sept. 30.

Virginia does not map wildfire hazard severity zones, and Chesterfield County has no wildfire-zone building or clearance overlay. Woodland fire risk is managed through the state 4 PM Burning Law and the Virginia Department of Forestry, not through designated zones.

The county adopts state motor-vehicle law and prohibits parking that obstructs traffic. Trucks with dual tires over 6,000 pounds and any trailer, semitrailer, or cab are banned from roads in residential districts, so most street parking is limited to ordinary passenger vehicles.

County Code sec. 13-42 bars trucks with dual tires over 6,000 pounds and any trailer, semitrailer, or trailer cab from parking on roads in residential districts. Home occupations are limited to one business vehicle on the premises.

On residentially zoned property, recreational vehicles and boats must be parked in an interior side yard or rear yard, at least 5 feet from side lines and 10 feet from the rear line. Interior side-yard RVs must be screened from adjoining property.

Under County Code sec. 13-64, a vehicle lacking current plates or a valid inspection sticker that stays in one place for four days without being moved is deemed abandoned and may be removed and disposed of under Virginia Code sec. 46.2-1200 et seq.

Chesterfield County has no blanket ban on overnight residential street parking for passenger cars. Heavy trucks and trailers are barred from residential roads at all times, and any vehicle left unmoved for four days may be treated as abandoned and towed.

Trucks with dual tires over 6,000 pounds and all trailers and semitrailers are prohibited from parking on residential roads under County Code sec. 13-42. Recreational vehicles must be stored in the side or rear yard with setbacks and screening.

Chesterfield County has no residential loading-zone program; loading and delivery access is set through commercial site-plan and zoning requirements. On public streets, Chapter 13 prohibits stopping or standing where it obstructs traffic, and the county adopts state traffic law.

Chesterfield County does not authorize residents to paint or mark public curbs. Most county roads are maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation, which controls all pavement markings; residents may not paint curbs to reserve or restrict parking.

County Code sec. 13-62 bars keeping inoperable motor vehicles or trailers in residential yards or driveways unless inside a fully enclosed building or shielded from view. One covered inoperable vehicle may sit in the rear yard, screened from view.

Chesterfield County has no distinct residential EV-charger ordinance. Home charging stations are installed under the Virginia electrical code enforced by county Building Inspection, which requires an electrical permit. Charger placement follows the same yard and setback rules as…

Under Virginia's fire code, charcoal and gas grills may not be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction, except at one- and two-family homes and townhouses. Keep grills attended and store spare propane outdoors.

A backyard smoker is an open-flame cooking device under Virginia's fire code, so keep it off combustible balconies and 10 feet from combustible construction (single- and two-family homes exempt). Use clean fuel, attend it, and dispose of ashes safely.

On residentially zoned property, fences may be up to 4 feet tall in the front yard and up to 7 feet tall in the rear yard, under Chesterfield County Zoning Ordinance Section 19.2-39.

Chesterfield County zoning sets fence height and location but does not referee boundary or cost-sharing disputes. Build on your own land, keep out of recorded easements, and confirm the property line before installing.

The Chesterfield County Planning Department does not require a zoning permit to install a residential fence. A building permit is required only when the fence serves as a swimming pool barrier.

Retaining walls are regulated with fences under Zoning Ordinance Section 19.2-39. Wall materials must be compatible with the principal building, and rear-yard walls may reach 10 feet only with Director of Planning approval.

Under Zoning Ordinance Section 19.2-39, residential fences may be 4 feet in front and 7 feet in rear yards, must not block corner-lot sight triangles, and need no zoning permit unless serving as a pool barrier.

Zoning Ordinance Section 19.2-39 requires fences to be built of materials designed and marketed for fences or walls. Makeshift materials are not permitted, and retaining-wall materials must be compatible with the principal building.

Chesterfield County permits fences built of materials designed and marketed for fences or walls, such as wood, vinyl, ornamental metal, and masonry. Retaining-wall materials must be compatible with the principal building or approved by Planning.

Chesterfield County zones its entire territory and sets minimum front, side, and rear yards by district in its Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 19.2). Common residential districts such as R-7 and R-9 require a 30-foot front-yard setback.

Chesterfield County sets maximum structure heights by zoning district in its Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 19.2), under authority from Virginia Code Section 15.2-2280. Accessory structures such as sheds are limited to 15 feet in height.

Chesterfield County limits how much of a lot buildings and structures may occupy through district-specific standards in its Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 19.2), using the yard and open-space authority in Virginia Code Section 15.2-2280.

No. Virginia law forbids declaring any dog dangerous or vicious solely because of its breed, and bans prohibiting ownership of any particular breed. Chesterfield County has no breed-specific ban; dangerous-dog findings are behavior-based.

Chesterfield prohibits dogs running at large countywide. A dog is at large whenever it is off the owner's property and not under immediate control. On county-owned land a physical leash is required unless in a posted off-leash dog area.

Livestock must be confined within the owner's property boundary. Virginia's right-to-farm law protects bona fide agricultural operations, and state law lets animal-control officers seize or kill dogs caught killing or injuring livestock or poultry.

Beekeeping is legal in Chesterfield County. Hives are governed by the county Zoning Ordinance and Virginia's state beekeeping law (Title 3.2, Ch. 44). Keep hives set back from property lines and follow recognized best-management practices.

Chesterfield County Code § 4-3 prohibits keeping wild or exotic animals as pets or for display. Banned animals include nonhuman primates, big cats, wolves, raccoons, skunks, foxes, venomous snakes, tarantulas, and crocodilians.

Virginia sets no fixed numeric hoarding cap, but Code § 3.2-6503 requires every owner to give each companion animal adequate care, space, food, water and veterinary care. Chesterfield's three-dog residential limit also curbs overcrowding.

Up to six hens (no roosters) may be kept on a residentially zoned lot under Chesterfield's coop, setback and enclosure rules. All livestock and poultry must stay within the owner's property boundary or the owner faces a fine.

A maximum of three adult dogs (four months or older) may be kept on any residentially zoned property. Four or more requires a special exception permit from Planning, or a kennel license in an Agricultural district.

Chesterfield's running-at-large ordinance targets dogs, not cats, so there is no cat leash law. But Virginia Code § 3.2-6521 requires every cat four months or older to be currently vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian.

Virginia bans feeding bear at any time and feeding that attracts nuisance wildlife. Deer feeding is prohibited statewide each September 1 through the first Saturday in January. Chesterfield is not on the year-round deer-feeding ban list.

Virginia has no statewide mandatory lawn-watering ban. Chesterfield County Utilities issues conservation measures during drought; as of summer 2026 restrictions were voluntary, with an alternating-day watering schedule requested for the Richmond region.

Chesterfield County has no ordinance dictating how residents trim their own healthy trees. Trimming a neighbor's branches that overhang your property is governed by Virginia common-law self-help, not a county permit.

Chesterfield County does not require homeowners to plant native species in ordinary yards, but native and regionally appropriate plants are required for restoration and replacement planting within Chesapeake Bay Resource Protection Area buffers.

A Chesterfield homeowner may generally remove trees on their own developed lot without a county permit. The key exception is the Chesapeake Bay Resource Protection Area buffer, where removing vegetation requires county review and often replacement planting.

Chesterfield County has no ordinance banning residential artificial turf. Synthetic lawns are generally allowed, subject to zoning, stormwater and drainage requirements, and any private HOA or subdivision covenants.

Chesterfield County Code prohibits uncontrolled weeds and grass. Occupied residential lots under one-half acre are limited to 12 inches; vacant developed and platted-subdivision parcels generally may not exceed roughly 18 inches of weeds or uncontrolled growth.

Backyard composting of yard and food waste is allowed in Chesterfield County and promoted as a waste-reduction practice. Compost must be kept so it does not create odor, vermin, or nuisance conditions under the county's property-maintenance rules.

On occupied residential lots under one-half acre, grass and lawn areas may not exceed 12 inches in height. Chesterfield enforces this under Virginia's county grass-cutting authority and the County Code weed provisions.

Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in Chesterfield County. There is no ordinance banning rain barrels or cisterns for residential lawn and garden use; the county promotes them as a water-wise conservation practice.

Above-ground pools need the same permits as in-ground pools once over the size threshold. The pool wall may serve as the barrier if it is 48 inches tall, but the ladder must be removable when not in use or protected by a compliant gate.

A building permit is required for any pool larger than 150 sq ft, holding over 5,000 gallons, or 24 inches or more deep, under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Barrier, electrical, and (if gas-heated) gas permits are also required.

Hot tubs and spas require no building permit in Chesterfield, but an electrical permit is required (plus a gas permit if gas-heated). An approved safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 may be substituted for a barrier and is checked at the electrical inspection.

Outdoor pools must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high above grade. Ground clearance may not exceed 2 inches, and no opening may allow a 4-inch sphere to pass. Fences used as a pool barrier require a permit.

Pool access gates must be self-closing, self-latching, and open outward away from the pool. Latches under 54 inches high must sit on the pool side. Where the house forms part of the barrier, door and window alarms are required.

Chesterfield requires tree preservation, not homeowner tree permits. During subdivision or site development, plans must preserve or replace trees to meet Virginia's tree-canopy targets under Va. Code Sec. 15.2-961.1, and the county's landscaping ordinance protects trees three…

Chesterfield County has no municipal curbside garbage pickup. Residential trash disposal and recycling are provided by private waste companies you contract with directly, so pickup day, container, and setout rules come from your chosen hauler.

Drop off bulky items at Chesterfield's two convenience centers, open seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fees apply: $9 per pickup-truck load of residential trash, plus item fees like $15 for Freon appliances and $9 for mattresses.

Chesterfield ended its subsidized curbside recycling in 2023. Curbside recycling is now subscription-based through private haulers; the county still provides free recycling drop-off at both convenience centers and at community recycling centers in seven parks.

Because collection is by private hauler, bin and cart placement rules in Chesterfield follow your hauler's requirements, not a county set-out ordinance. The county's concern is that containers and debris not accumulate visibly on the property.

Dumping trash, garbage, or debris on public property, a highway right-of-way, or private property without the owner's written consent is a misdemeanor under Virginia Code § 33.2-802, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and fines of $500 to $2,500.

Chesterfield's home occupation standards require the home to keep its residential character with no external alterations. Because a business sign would change that appearance, on-site advertising signs for home occupations are effectively not permitted.

Chesterfield sets no separate cottage food rule; Virginia's home food exemption governs. Under Virginia Code Section 3.2-5130, low-risk foods such as candies, jams, baked goods, and dried mixes may be sold directly to consumers without a state inspection if properly labeled.

Chesterfield permits home occupations in residential and agricultural zoning districts, provided the business is clearly incidental to the home. Certain uses, including beauty parlors, kennels, dance studios, auto repair, and bed-and-breakfasts, are prohibited as home…

A home occupation is allowed by right if it meets county standards: no more than two clients on-site at once, only resident family-member employees, use limited to 25% of floor area or 250 sq ft, no group assembly, and no outside storage.

Caring for up to four children (plus your own) is treated as residential use and needs no zoning approval. Caring for five to twelve children requires a conditional use in Chesterfield (about a $300 application) and state licensure.

Chesterfield enforces property upkeep through Community Enhancement and the Virginia Maintenance Code (part of the USBC). Under Virginia's spot-blight law, the county can order repairs, place a lien for costs, and, for true blight, acquire or clear the property.

Chesterfield's weed ordinance requires grass and weeds to be kept under 12 inches at occupied dwellings and 18 inches at unoccupied ones. Ignore a written notice and the county cuts it, billing you the cost plus a $35 fee.

Owners of vacant and unoccupied lots must keep grass, weeds, and growth cut and clear of trash. Chesterfield's weed ordinance sets an 18-inch limit at unoccupied properties, and the county can cut overgrowth and charge the owner if ignored.

Chesterfield County does not run municipal trash pickup; residential garbage is handled by private haulers you contract with. The county's role is property maintenance: it can require accumulated trash, refuse, and debris to be removed and bill the owner.

Garage and yard sales are allowed at homes as an occasional temporary use under the Chesterfield County Zoning Ordinance (§ 19.2-32-23, Garage or Yard Sales). Signs may not be placed in the public right-of-way, where the county actively removes illegal portable signs.

Chesterfield has no special tiny-home ordinance. A tiny house on a permanent foundation is a dwelling that must meet the Virginia building code and district minimum standards and setbacks. A tiny house on wheels is treated as an RV and cannot be a permanent residence.

Enclosing a carport or converting a garage into living space requires building permits and must meet the Virginia building code and zoning. A structure open on fewer than two sides is treated as a garage. Creating a separate dwelling needs a Conditional Use Permit.

Chesterfield does not allow a separate accessory dwelling by right. Using an accessory building as a dwelling generally requires a Conditional Use Permit approved by the Board of Supervisors. Accessory buildings themselves may not exceed the primary dwelling's square footage…

Carports need a building permit in Chesterfield regardless of size. A carport is a structure open on at least two sides for covering vehicles; enclose it further and it becomes a garage. Carports must meet accessory-building setbacks that vary by zoning district.

A shed up to 256 square feet needs no building permit in Chesterfield, but larger sheds do. All sheds must be anchored and meet Zoning Ordinance setbacks from every property line. Adding electricity requires a separate electrical permit.

Chesterfield County parks are open dawn to dusk, with no trespassing after park hours. Separately, a county curfew bars anyone under 18 from public places between 11:00 p.m. and daylight unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Chesterfield cannot ban political campaign signs on private property if they follow the same rules as temporary nonpolitical signs and have the owner's permission. In residential districts each noncommercial sign is limited to 6 square feet and 5 feet tall.

For a sale of three or fewer days in a residential district, Chesterfield allows up to six off-site signs, each no larger than 6 square feet and 4 feet tall, with only one per lot. Signs may not sit in the public right-of-way.

Except for single-family homes, exterior lighting in Chesterfield may not cast more than 0.5 foot-candle above background light, measured at the property line of adjacent residential land. Fixtures must also shield the light source from neighbors.

Chesterfield has no formal dark-sky ordinance. Instead, the Zoning Ordinance requires exterior lighting (except single-family homes) to use directional fixtures that shield the light source from direct view from neighboring residential property or roads.