Loudoun County, VA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Planting rate
- 20 plant units per 100 linear feet, each side
- Eligible species
- Small or large deciduous trees only
- Curb/sidewalk clearance
- 3 feet minimum unless in stormwater feature
- Alley exemption
- No street trees required along alleys
- Applies to
- SN, SCN, TC, TRC, UE, CC, PD-AAAR, R districts
Summary
Loudoun County's Zoning Ordinance requires street trees along road frontages in most residential and mixed-use zoning districts whenever a Road Corridor Buffer isn't triggered. Developers must plant 20 plant units per 100 linear feet on each side of the road, using only small or large deciduous trees, regularly spaced.
Specific Requirements for Street Trees. When street trees are required, they must be provided as follows: 1. Planted at a rate of 20 plant units per 100 linear feet along each side of all public roads or private roads. The planting rate applies individually to each side of the road: a. Only small deciduous trees and large deciduous trees are permitted to meet the plant unit requirement for street trees; and b. Trees are not permitted to be planted closer than 3 feet to any curb, sidewalk, or paved area unless planted within approved manufactured stormwater management improvements; and 2. Street trees must be regularly spaced. 3. Exception. No street tree is required along alleys.
Full Breakdown
E governs street tree planting on land development projects across Loudoun's unincorporated area. c). The planting rate is fixed: 20 plant units per 100 linear feet along each side of every public or private road, calculated separately for each side. Only small deciduous trees and large deciduous trees count toward the plant-unit total, evergreens and shrubs don't qualify for street tree credit under this subsection. Trees may not be planted closer than 3 feet to any curb, sidewalk, or paved surface unless they sit within approved manufactured stormwater management improvements, and the required trees must be regularly spaced rather than clustered.
No street tree is required along alleys. 5). 04 Landscaping, Buffers, and Screening framework, which applies to any Site Plan, Construction Plans and Profiles, Subdivision, or Zoning Permit application, and which the Zoning Administrator may waive in specific circumstances such as single-family detached Zoning Permit applications or subdivision in the AR-1, AR-2, A-3, A-10, JLMA-20, and JLMA-3 districts.
Violations & Fines
Street tree compliance is enforced through the Site Plan, Construction Plans and Profiles, or Subdivision review and approval process administered by Loudoun County's Department of Building and Development; a project cannot receive plan approval, and ultimately cannot obtain a certificate of occupancy, without the required street tree planting shown and installed per the approved plan. Because the requirement is a plan-approval condition rather than a standalone criminal offense, the practical penalty is delayed or withheld approvals, bonding requirements to guarantee installation, and potential zoning permit denial rather than a fine schedule set out in this subsection itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many street trees does Loudoun County require per 100 feet of road frontage?
Can I plant a street tree right next to the curb in Loudoun County?
Does Loudoun County require street trees along alleys?
Are street trees required on individual residential lots in Loudoun County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Loudoun County
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