Loudoun Valley Estates Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees Rules (2026)

Loudoun County, consistent with Virginia Dillon's Rule limits on local authority, does not impose a broad tree removal permit on unincorporated private residential property. Regulated pathways: (1) Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area — Loudoun Ord. Ch. 1220 implements VA Code §10.1-2100 et seq. RPA 100-ft stream buffers along Goose Creek, Catoctin Creek, Sugarland Run, Broad Run, and the Potomac; RPA tree removal needs Water Quality Impact Assessment permit; violations to $32,500/day under VA §62.1-44.15:74. (2) Subdivision preservation — trees designated on approved development plans under FSM Chapter 3 cannot be removed; violations $500-$5,000 per tree. (3) Historic districts (Ord. Ch. 1500) — Waterford, Goose Creek, Middleburg, Aldie, Hamilton, Lincoln, Hillsboro require Certificate of Appropriateness from Historic District Review Committee for removal of significant trees on contributing properties. (4) VDOT right-of-way trees along state-maintained roads (most Loudoun roads) — permit required from VDOT per 24VAC30-380 Land Use Permit Manual. (5) Incorporated towns — Leesburg, Purcellville have narrow tree protection codes for commercial property, town-owned trees, and public R-O-W. Virginia Code §10.1-1420.02 banned Bradford/Callery pear as a noxious weed effective 2025; removal encouraged. Hazardous tree removal always permitted without permit but consider liability.