Landscaping Rules in Stafford County, VA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Stafford County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Stafford County requires 14 days' advance written notice to the county administrator before removing, relocating or altering a heritage, specimen, memorial or street tree the board of supervisors has designated, or before disturbing land within its canopy. Ordinary home gardening on private lots is exempt.
Stafford County Designated Tree Removal Notice
Some RestrictionsStafford County Code § 24-24
No tree designated pursuant to this article shall be removed, relocated, or altered nor shall any development, or land disturbing activities occur within the canopy coverage of the tree unless the county administrator 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. Necess...
Weed Ordinances
Stafford County caps grass, weeds, and other foreign growth at six inches on vacant lots under § 24-17 and at twelve inches on occupied residential lots under half an acre under § 24-18. The Director of Planning and Zoning enforces both after mailed notice, and running bamboo must be contained at all times.
Stafford County Weed and Grass Height Limits
Some RestrictionsStafford County Code §§ 24-17(a), 24-18(a)
The owners of vacant developed or undeveloped property, except for land in use as an active farming operation, including such property upon which buildings or other improvements are located, shall cut the grass, weeds and other foreign growth on such property or any part thereof and maintain such growth to six (6) inches in height or less and shall maintain running bamboo at all times. ... Owne...
Water Restrictions
Stafford County only restricts irrigation and other nonessential water use once the board of supervisors declares a public water supply emergency under the county's Drought Management Plan. The county administrator then implements escalating mandatory or voluntary restrictions by drought stage, backed by daily civil fines.
Stafford County Drought Watering Restrictions
Some RestrictionsStafford County Code § 25-43
(a)After the board of supervisors, in accordance with the Drought Management Plan, has found and declared that public water supply conditions meet drought watch, warning, or emergency levels, and after notice has been given to the general public, the county administrator is authorized to implement this division by ordering the restricted use or absolute curtailment of the use of water for certa...
Artificial Turf
Stafford County's Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area ordinance names synthetic turf as an accessory yard use, grouping it with pools, patios and terraces as an impermeable landing that reduces groundwater infiltration under County Code § 27B-2. That classification pulls artificial turf into the same land-disturbance and buffer scrutiny the county applies to other impervious yard features near protected waterways.
Synthetic Turf Under Stafford's Bay Ordinance
Light RestrictionsStafford County Code § 27B-2
Accessory structures or uses means any structure located on a lot or parcel not identified as a principal structure as defined herein. Accessory structures include, but are not limited to, detached garages, gazebos, free-standing decks, storage buildings or tool sheds, guest houses, pole barns, and similar forms of development that are incidental and subordinate to the principal structure. Acce...
All Stafford County ordinances
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