Landscaping Rules in York County, VA (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated York County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
York County, Virginia requires a 100-foot vegetated buffer along Resource Protection Areas under Chesapeake Bay Preservation Chapter Sec. 23.2-10, and trees inside that buffer generally cannot be removed except under permitted conditions the CBPA Manager authorizes case by case. Mature trees must be preserved and pruned rather than cut whenever site conditions allow.
York County, VA RPA Buffer Tree Removal
Significant RestrictionsYork County Code § 23.2-10
(a)To minimize the adverse effects of human activities on the other components of the RPA, state waters, and aquatic life, a 100-foot wide buffer area of vegetation as described in the Buffer Guidelines shall be provided. ... (d)Existing woody vegetation may be removed to provide for reasonable sight lines, access paths, and shoreline erosion control best management practices, if authorized by ...
Weed Ordinances
In York County, Virginia, owners of occupied residential property must mow grass and lawn areas to twelve inches or less under Code § 19-6(b), with the height rule extending toward property lines and rights-of-way per subsection (c). Violating the residential mowing duty carries a civil penalty of up to $100 per notice.
York County Grass and Weed Height Limit
Some RestrictionsYork County Code § 19-6(b)
(b)Duty to cut grass on occupied residential property. It shall be the duty of the owners of occupied residential property to cut grass and lawn areas as frequently as necessary to maintain such areas at twelve inches (12") in height or less and in accordance with the distances to surrounding properties and rights-of-way prescribed in subsection (c) below, or to a maximum coverage of one-half a...
Water Restrictions
York County, Virginia does not ban lawn watering year-round, but its water conservation program authorizes the governing body or the county administrator to declare a water emergency under Sec. 22-72 and impose a prohibition on watering lawns, gardens, shrubs, and trees. Owners who ignore a declared restriction can lose their water meter for up to 24 hours under Sec. 22-74.
York County, VA Lawn Watering Restrictions
Some RestrictionsYork County Code §§ 22-2, 22-72, 22-74
Water conservation program: A program for conservation of water which may include: (1) a prohibition on watering of lawns, gardens, shrubs, trees, or other plants, (2) a prohibition of washing cars, boats, houses, or other large objects usually washed outside, and (3) such other measures as may be described by the county administrator. ... ... Sec. 22-72. - Declaration of water emergency. (a)In...
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