Zoning Ordinance Change Highlights - Chapter 7: Development Standards

Chapter 7 of the new Zoning Ordinance sets forth the standards governing site development; open space; tree planting, replacement and preservation; landscaping, buffers, and screening; light, noise, and vibration; parking; transportation; utilities; and owners associations.  

Notably, Chapter 7 improves the consistency of standards by consolidating development standards into one section of the ordinance. For example, open space regulations have been consolidated for improved consistency and streamlined regulations. The new Zoning Ordinance prioritizes the protection and preservation of natural open space and tree cover in new developments, rather than the removal of existing and planting of new vegetation. This approach helps to protect, preserve and create plant and wildlife habitats that overlap with other important resource systems.  

The new Zoning Ordinance also prioritizes quality open space and environmental features by separating eligible open space into three tiers of value: 

  • High Value Open Space (150%). 
  • Standard Open Space (100%). 
  • Less Valuable Open Space (50%).  

The extra credit that is provided for some types of open space, such as tree conservation areas, wildlife habitat and archeological and historic resources, means that an applicant can provide less open space if that open space is higher quality. Likewise, less valuable open space, such as off-site areas, residential land under overhead utility transmission lines, and some stormwater management improvements, would require more land to meet the same coverage requirement. The new Zoning Ordinance includes regulations for 21 types of open space and describes the qualifying characteristics for each type.  

The new regulations are intended to incentivize developers to include high-quality open spaces that contribute to the quality of life in the county. Quality open space raises property values and boosts the Loudoun economy by attracting tourism and supporting outdoor recreation. These assets also play a critical role in safeguarding the environment by safeguarding drinking water and protecting natural habitats for plants and animals.   

Here are additional highlights of the development standards provided in Chapter 7 of the new ordinance: 

  • Explains how density, lot coverage and building height are calculated.  
  • Explains how lot requirements and yards are measured and what is allowed in certain yards and setbacks.  
  • Clarifies lot frontage and access standards.  
  • Provides new transition standards to reduce the impacts of new development upon existing developments.   
  • Allows on-site tree canopy requirements to be modified to apply to an entire project area on a Concept Development Plan. 
  • Clarifies that street trees are not required along alleys. 
  • Requires 80% of required landscaping be native species. 
  • Prohibits planting invasive plant species. 
  • Includes a new Buffer Matrix to provide specific buffer regulations in an easy-to-use manner. 
  • Clarifies pre-construction and post-construction noise study requirements.
  • Provides required parking ratios based on whether the development is in urban, suburban, transition, rural, or joint land management area (JLMA) zoning districts. 
  • Revises the amount of parking required for townhomes and apartments. 
  • Applies a 15 percent parking reduction for all types of attainable housing provided pursuant to Chapter 9. 
  • Allows Administrative Parking Adjustments of up to 10 percent for nonresidential uses. 
  • Allows residential parking adjustments and nonresidential parking adjustments exceeding 10 percent by Special Exception. 
  • Allows required parking to be provided within one-quarter mile in compact, walkable and urban developments.  
  • Requires that at least 50% of all required parking for single-family attached and multifamily stacked dwellings be provided either on-lot or dedicated to the dwelling unit off-lot. 
  • Does not permit on-street parking within a half mile of a high school, college or university, transit facility or Metrorail station to satisfy minimum parking requirements. 
  • Allows carpooling/vanpooling and shuttle service parking reductions as potential parking adjustments. 
  • Allows parking reductions of five percent within one-quarter mile and 10% within one-eighth-mile proximity to bus stops.  
  • Allows access by private roads in Suburban Zoning Districts be modifiable to include single-family detached dwelling units.  
  • Provides standards for utilities and owners associations that are consistent across all zoning districts.  

Review additional details in the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance.

Last updated 12/18/2023