Landscaping Rules in Prince William County, VA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Prince William County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Prince William County requires an undisturbed 100-foot vegetated buffer along every perennial stream, tidal wetland and shoreline under its Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Overlay District, and limits new structures within that Resource Protection Area to water-dependent facilities and a short list of exempted activities. Disturbing more than 2,500 square feet anywhere in the overlay district requires a land-disturbing permit.
RPA Buffer Tree Clearing Rules in Prince William County
Significant RestrictionsPWC Zoning Ordinance §§ 32-504.05, 32-504.06 (Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Overlay District)
There is hereby established the resource protection area which shall consist of lands adjacent to water bodies with perennial flow that would include: ... (e)A 100-foot area located adjacent to and landward of the components listed in subsections (a) through (d) above, and along both sides of a water body with perennial flow, to be known as the 'RPA buffer area.' ... Uses permitted in resource ...
Weed Ordinances
Prince William County caps weeds and grass at 12 inches on any residential lot under two acres, and within 150 feet of a road or 200 feet of a neighbor's home on larger tracts. Actively farmed land is exempt. The county issues one written notice per growing season before cutting the growth itself and billing the owner.
Prince William County Grass and Weed Height Limits
Some RestrictionsPWC Code §§ 29-16, 29-17(a)-(b)
(a)It shall be unlawful for the owner of any property of less than two acres to permit weeds of more than 12 inches in height to remain standing upon any part of such property.(b)It shall be unlawful for the owner of any property of two acres or more to permit weeds of more than 12 inches in height to remain standing upon any part of such property that is within 150 feet of the pavement edge of...
Water Restrictions
Prince William County has no year-round watering schedule, but once the Board of County Supervisors declares a water supply emergency, the county executive can order Stage II restrictions banning lawn and garden watering except from a hand-held container of three gallons or less, under Code of Ordinances Section 30-84.
Emergency Watering Restrictions in Prince William County
Some RestrictionsPWC Code § 30-84(a)(2)a
Stage II. Assuming that very limited supplies of water are available, the county executive is authorized to order restricted use or absolute curtailment of less essential uses of water, including, but not limited to, one or more of the following:a.Watering of shrubbery, trees, lawns, grass, plants, or any other vegetation, except from a watering can or other container not exceeding three-gallon...
Native Plants
Prince William County actively favors native trees and woodland conservation in its landscaping standards. Development landscape plans must preserve native woodlands where possible; residents may plant native species freely so long as growth stays under the 12-inch weed limit.
Native Plants and Woodland Conservation
Some RestrictionsPWC DCSM Section 800 (Buffer Areas, Landscaping, and Tree Cover)
Woodland conservation, replanting and reforestation standards are also appropriate and essential to ensure that the County's native woodlands are preserved and replenished, as well as for maintaining and creating wildlife habitats.
Composting
Prince William County allows residents and farms to compost yard trimmings on their own property without a permit, so long as the pile doesn't become a health or safety menace. Composting anything besides leaves, grass or brush and mulch must happen inside a purpose-built composting container under County Code § 22-34.
Backyard Composting Rules, Prince William County, Virginia
Light RestrictionsPWC Code § 22-34
Composting of organic materials from and on the property of an individual residence or farm shall be permitted in the county provided it is done in a manner so as not to create a health or safety menace. Composting of any organic material other than leaves, grass and brush/mulch shall be done in a container designed for the purpose of organic composting.
All Prince William County ordinances
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