Landscaping Rules in Frederick County, VA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Frederick County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Weed Ordinances
In Frederick County outside Winchester, Stephens City and Middletown, Section 122-5 bans grass, weeds and foreign growth over 18 inches tall within 100 feet of a dwelling on developed or undeveloped lots in platted residential subdivisions zoned RP, R4, R5 or MH1. Owners get 10 days' written notice from the Zoning Administrator to cut it to 3 inches or less.
Grass and Weed Height Limit in Frederick County
Some RestrictionsFrederick County Code § 122-5
§ 122-5. Cutting of grass, weeds, and foreign growth required; notice. ... It shall be unlawful for the owners of developed or undeveloped property located in a platted residential subdivision, within a residentially zoned district (RP Residential Performance, R4 Residential Planned Community, R5 Residential Recreational Community, and MH1 Mobile Home Community) to permit grass, weeds and other...
Water Restrictions
During a drought warning in Frederick County outside Winchester, Stephens City and Middletown, lawn and landscape watering is limited to alternate days by street address, and it is barred entirely between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Alternate-Day Watering in Frederick County, VA
Significant RestrictionsFrederick County Code § 75-4.A(2)(a)[2][e]
Reducing watering of shrubbery, trees, lawns, grass, plants, and other established landscaping by implementing an alternate-day use schedule based on the last digit of residential or commercial address: odd-number addresses: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; even-number addresses: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, with no watering to occur between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Rainwater Harvesting
Frederick County outside Winchester, Stephens City and Middletown does not regulate or require permits for rainwater harvesting. Installing rain barrels is one of the voluntary conservation steps the county lists once it declares a drought watch under Chapter 75.
Rain Barrels in Frederick County, VA
Few RestrictionsFrederick County Code § 75-4.A(1)(e)
Required actions include the monitoring of drought conditions; notifying the public of incipient drought via local media, public service announcement, County website, notices with water bills; and requesting voluntary reduction in nonessential water use, including: ... Install rain barrels for watering plants, washing vehicles and general cleanup; and ... Check faucets and toilets for potential...
Composting
In Frederick County outside Winchester, Stephens City and Middletown, Section 142-6(E) protects household composting and lets agricultural operations compost yard waste, subject to Virginia's state solid waste law. Compost itself is defined in Section 142-2 as a stabilized organic product from controlled aerobic decomposition that can be handled and applied to land safely.
Household Composting Rules in Frederick County
Few RestrictionsFrederick County Code §§ 142-2, 142-6(E)
COMPOST A stabilized organic product produced by a controlled aerobic decomposition process in such a manner that the product can be handled, stored and/or applied to the land without adversely affecting public health or the environment. Composted sludge shall be as defined by the Virginia Sewerage Regulations. ... ... § 142-6. Unlawful accumulations; nuisances. ... ... E. Nothing in this chapt...
All Frederick County ordinances
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