Landscaping Rules in Hanover County, VA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Hanover County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Once the Board of Supervisors designates a tree as heritage, specimen, memorial or street under chapter 22.5, removing, relocating or altering it, or disturbing land within its canopy, is barred unless the owner gives the planning director fourteen days' written notice and the work fits a safety-hazard or disease exception. Breaking the rule costs up to $2,500 per violation.
Hanover County Protected Tree Removal Notice
Significant RestrictionsHanover County Code §§ 22.5-4, 22.5-7
No tree designated pursuant to this chapter shall be removed, relocated, or altered nor shall any development, or land disturbing activities occur within the canopy coverage of the tree unless the planning director is notified in writing by the property owner at least fourteen (14) days in advance, and unless the action is required by one of the following conditions:(1)Safety hazard. Necessity ...
Weed Ordinances
In the suburban service area of Hanover County outside the Town of Ashland, grass or weeds may not exceed fifteen inches on any occupied or vacant, developed or undeveloped property zoned commercial, industrial or residential, per Section 18-22. Active farmland, Chesapeake Bay resource protection area vegetation, and slopes of 25 percent or more are exempt.
Hanover County Weed and Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsHanover County Code § 18-22
(a)It shall be unlawful for any owner of occupied or vacant developed or undeveloped property therein, including such property upon which buildings or other improvements are located, to permit grass or weeds in excess of fifteen (15) inches in height to remain standing on property that is:(1)Zoned for commercial use, zoned for industrial use, or zoned for residential use; and(2)Within the subur...
Water Restrictions
When the county administrator declares mandatory water conservation for the Hanover Suburban Water System, established landscape and vegetable gardens can only be watered on assigned days tied to the last digit of the property address, and Mondays are a no-watering day countywide for that system.
Odd/Even Watering Days, Hanover County VA
Some RestrictionsHanover County Code § 23-10
(d)Water conservation measures for the Hanover Suburban Water System. Upon the implementation of water conservation measures by the county administrator for the Hanover Suburban Water System, ... use of the county provided water shall be limited as follows: ... (4)Vegetable gardens and established landscape - watering is permitted only as follows:a.Odd property addresses (by last digit of addre...
Native Plants
Hanover County's RC Rural Conservation District requires native species to predominate on the landscaping plans submitted with a rezoning application. Section 26-54(e)(9) sets that standard for the conservation areas required in an RC subdivision, tying native planting to the woodland and natural-cover retention standards the district applies to new development.
Native Plant Landscaping Rules in Hanover County
Some RestrictionsHanover County Code § 26-54(e)(9)
9.The conservation areas shall retain existing natural cover and wooded areas to the maximum extent practicable, to protect conservation area resources. In those areas where retention is impractical, they shall be landscaped, and landscaping plans provided with the conceptual plan. The use of native species shall predominate on landscaping plans.
Composting
Hanover County's code does not regulate household composting as solid waste. Chapter 26's zoning definition of 'trash,' at Section 26-6, expressly lists 'household composting' among the materials excluded from that term, so backyard composting does not trigger the county's trash-storage or removal requirements.
Backyard Composting Rules in Hanover County
Few RestrictionsHanover County Code § 26-6
Trash: Waste material including, but not limited to, the following: ... The term "trash" shall not include the following: ... 4.Household composting.
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