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Building Setbacks & Zoning in Hanover County, VA (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Hanover County, Virginia.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Hanover County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Setback Rules

In Hanover County's RS Single-Family Residential District outside Ashland, Hanover County Code § 26-63 sets a 50-foot front yard, minimum 10-foot side yard (25-foot aggregate) and 25-foot rear yard at base density; those minimums drop to 15 feet front, 0 side and 0 rear once a property is approved at higher density.

Hanover County RS District Yard Setbacks

Some Restrictions

Hanover County Code § 26-63

Minimum in Feet Dwelling units: Front Yard Side Setback (Front Yard), Minimum Side Setback (Front Yard), Aggregate Rear Yard Base density: 50 10 25 25 Higher densities: 15 0 0 0 Notes: 1.When detached garages are constructed in the rear yard on any lot in a district where the density exceeds one (1) and one-quarter (1¼) unit per acre, and access is provided through use of an alley, there shall ...

Structure Height Limits

In Hanover County's RS Single-Family Residential District outside Ashland, Hanover County Code § 26-64 caps most structures, including single-family homes, at three stories or 45 feet, whichever is less. Telecommunications towers get separate limits: 50 feet by right, or up to 100 feet with a special exception from the Board of Supervisors.

Hanover County RS District Height Limits

Some Restrictions

Hanover County Code § 26-64

The following height restrictions shall apply in this district: 1.Telecommunications towers and related facilities:a.Permitted by right: shall not exceed fifty (50) feet.b.Permitted with a special exception: shall not exceed one hundred (100) feet.2.Structures not specifically exempted in section 26-248 shall not exceed a height of three (3) stories or forty-five (45) feet, whichever is less.

All Hanover County ordinances

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