Building Setbacks & Zoning in James City County, VA (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated James City County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
In James City County's A-1 General Agricultural District, ordinary structures must sit at least 50 feet back from any street right-of-way of 50 feet or more, or 75 feet from a narrower street's centerline, with larger three-acre-plus lots pushed back even farther. Intensive agriculture, confined livestock operations, faces far larger buffers under section 24-215.
James City County A-1 Setback Requirements
Some RestrictionsJames City County Code § 24-215
Structures, except those associated with intensive agricultural uses, shall be located a minimum of 50 feet from any street right-of-way which is 50 feet or greater in width. If the street right-of-way is less than 50 feet in width, structures shall be located a minimum of 75 feet from the centerline of the street; except that where the minimum lot area is three acres or more, the minimum setba...
Structure Height Limits
Ordinary structures in James City County's A-1 General Agricultural District are limited to two stories and 35 feet under section 24-218, though buildings can rise to 45 feet and three stories with wider side yards, and farm-related structures like silos and church spires can reach 60 feet, or up to 100 feet with a Board of Supervisors waiver.
James City County A-1 Building Height Limits
Some RestrictionsJames City County Code § 24-218
Structures may be erected up to two stories and shall not exceed 35 feet in height from grade, except that: ... (1)The height limit for buildings may be increased to 45 feet and to three stories; provided, that the two side yards for the building are increased to a minimum of 15 feet plus one foot for each additional foot of the building's height over 35 feet.(2)Church spires, belfries, cupolas...
Lot Coverage Limits
In James City County's Limited Business District, LB, section 24-375 caps how much of a lot a building can cover: no more than 30 percent building coverage and no more than 40 percent floor area ratio of the total lot area, on top of separate yard, height and landscaping standards for the district.
James City County LB Lot Coverage Limit
Some RestrictionsJames City County Code § 24-375
Building coverage shall not exceed 30 percent of the total lot area. The floor area ratio shall not exceed 40 percent of the total lot area.
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