Showing ordinances that apply to University Center, VA
University Center is an unincorporated community (population 3,969) in Loudoun County, Virginia. Because University Center is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal code. Instead, Loudoun County ordinances apply directly to properties here. The tree removal permits rules below are the ones that govern your area.
Loudoun County does not require tree removal permits on private residential property outside regulated areas. Tree removal in Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Resource Protection Areas (RPAs) — 100 ft buffers along perennial streams, Potomac, Goose Creek — is heavily restricted per VA Code §10.1-2109 and Loudoun Ord. Ch. 1220. Subdivision landscape plans also protect preserved trees. Development sites follow the Facilities Standards Manual tree preservation rules. Street trees and HOA-managed trees have additional protections.
Virginia is a Dillon's Rule state, and localities can regulate tree removal only where authorized. Loudoun County has not adopted a broad private-property tree permit system for unincorporated land. Exceptions and regulated areas: (1) Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act — Loudoun County Codified Ordinances Chapter 1220 implements the state Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act (VA Code §10.1-2100 et seq.) with a Resource Protection Area (RPA) overlay 100 ft wide along perennial streams, Potomac River, and Goose Creek tidal tributaries. Within RPAs, tree removal is severely restricted — only dead/dying/diseased trees may be removed without permit; selective thinning under a Water Quality Impact Assessment permit from the county. (2) Subdivision development — preserved trees shown on approved site plans cannot be removed; violations under Zoning Ord. §5-1600 and the Facilities Standards Manual Chapter 3 Landscaping. (3) Tree conservation easements (common in Brambleton, Broadlands) impose private legal protection. (4) Hazardous trees may be removed with notification only, not permit. Incorporated towns: Leesburg (Town Code §26 Tree Preservation) has a more active tree protection code with permit requirements for trees >12 inches DBH on commercial and public property. Purcellville and Middleburg have similar ordinances. Unauthorized removal of RPA trees: up to $32,500/day per VA §62.1-44.15:74.
RPA unpermitted removal (Ch. 1220 / VA §62.1-44.15:74): up to $32,500/day civil penalty + restoration planting. Subdivision preserved-tree violation: $500-$5,000 + replacement. Leesburg permit violation: $100-$1,000 + 2:1 replacement.
See how University Center's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.