Hanover County, VA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Section 26-77, the RM District's design standards, requires street trees for the multi-family residential district that covers Hanover's higher-density subdivisions and townhome and apartment communities outside Ashland. Subsection (c) sets three approved planting locations: within a street median; along each side of a street where houses front, either in a homeowners'-association-maintained easement at least 10 feet wide, referencing the maintenance duties in § 26-84, or within the right-of-way if the Virginia Department of Transportation approves and at least 10 feet remains from the curb for pedestrian paths; or massed at appropriate points within common space to create a terminal vista at a street intersection.

The planting itself must draw from at least three different tree species suited to the area that cast moderate to full shade in summer. At minimum, one tree at least two inches in caliper when planted is required for every 50 feet of street length within the district. Three ornamental species are barred outright: Bradford pear, Norway maple and female ginkgo trees may not be used to satisfy the standard. 25 units per acre. Street trees required under § 26-77 must be installed by the developer, or bonded through a surety agreement, before certain certificates of occupancy issue, under § 26-78.