Accessory Structures in Stafford County, VA (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Stafford County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Stafford County allows one accessory dwelling per lot, capped at 25 percent of the principal dwelling's gross floor area, for uses like a family member apartment, guest house or maid's quarters under Zoning Ordinance § 28-25. The unit must share the principal dwelling's address and keep the property looking like a one-family residence, and carriage houses are excluded from the definition.
Stafford County Accessory Dwelling Rules
Some RestrictionsStafford County Code § 28-25
Dwelling, accessory. An ancillary dwelling unit limited to such uses as a family member apartment, guest house (for occasional visits by family or friends), or maid's quarters and shall conform to the following: ... (1)An accessory dwelling shall not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the total gross floor area of the principal dwelling unit.(2)There shall be no more than one accessory dwelling...
Shed & Carport Rules
Stafford County caps accessory buildings, including sheds, at a 10-foot setback from property lines on lots over one acre and 5 feet on smaller lots, bars them from front and street-facing side yards, and limits townhouse-lot sheds to 100 square feet and 10 feet in height under Zoning Ordinance Section 28-38(c).
Stafford County Shed Setback & Size Rules
Some RestrictionsStafford County Code § 28-38(c)
(c)Accessory buildings/structures. No accessory building or structure shall be located within ten (10) feet of any property line on any lot greater than one acre; no accessory building or structure shall be located within five (5) feet of any property line on any lot of one acre or less; no accessory building and/or structure, except for walls, fences and signs shall be located in any front yar...
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