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Homeowner rules in Arlington County, VA

A person last checked these rules on October 20, 2026. This is guidance only, so confirm with Arlington County before you build.

Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal or professional advice for any one property. Codes change. SetbackIQ is not a zoning determination, a permit, or a survey, and it does not replace an architect, engineer, or lawyer. Confirm with your building and zoning offices before you build, buy, or sign a contract.

Permits and building

  • Do I need a permit?Arlington follows Virginia's statewide exemptions: sheds to 256 sq ft, fences of any height except pool barriers, retaining walls holding back less than 3 ft, small shallow pools and like-for-like electric HVAC swaps. Every deck needs a permit, and in an RPA even exempt work needs county review.
  • Solar panelsSolar needs building and electrical permits. The rule that rooftop equipment be hidden from the street doesn't apply to solar, and an HOA can't ban panels unless its recorded declaration already did.
  • AC units, heat pumps and generatorsAC units, heat pumps, pool equipment and generators may sit in side and rear yards at least 8 ft from a side line and 10 ft from the rear line. Screened with a fence or plantings, they may sit closer, even in a front yard.
  • EV charging at homeLevel 1 and Level 2 chargers may sit in required yards. Level 3 must stay 8 ft from the street line. A Level 2 install needs an electrical permit.
  • Construction hours and noiseConstruction louder than the residential limits (60 dBA by day, 55 at night) is allowed only 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends and holidays, and never over 90 dBA.
  • Energy codes, green building and upkeepHouses follow the Virginia USBC, including its energy provisions. Upkeep of existing homes is enforced under County Code Chapter 29, Building Maintenance Standards.

Yard and structures

  • Fences and wallsFence height limits come from ACZO § 3.2.6. No building permit is needed for a fence unless it is a pool barrier, but an RPA lot needs county review for any new or replaced fence.
  • Retaining wallsA wall holding back less than 3 ft of soil needs no building permit. Retaining walls count as obstructions in the corner triangle, and in an RPA any new or replaced wall needs county review.
  • Corner sight trianglesOn a corner lot in an R or RA district, keep the triangle formed by the street lines and a line joining points 25 ft from the corner clear between 3 ft and 10 ft above the curb. Plantings, fences and retaining walls all count.
  • Decks, porches and roof decksEvery deck needs a building permit in Virginia. Decks and porches follow the yard encroachment rules in ACZO § 3.2.6.
  • Sheds and garagesSheds up to 256 sq ft need no building permit. Accessory building height, size and setbacks come from ACZO § 3.2.6.A.2.
  • Pools and hot tubsIn-ground pools count toward lot coverage. Above-ground pools and hot tubs don't. Pool equipment stays 8 ft from side lines and 10 ft from the rear line unless screened, and pool lights must be hooded.
  • Exterior lighting and light trespassThe zoning ordinance sets no general light-trespass limit for houses. Private pool lighting must be arranged and hooded so all direct light stays on your property.
  • Driveways and front-yard parkingDriveways and parking pads, paved or gravel, count fully toward lot coverage, including any area regularly used to park or turn cars. In an RPA any new paving needs county review.
  • Pergolas, play sets and carportsGazebos and pergolas always count toward lot coverage, enclosed or not. Sheds and other accessory buildings count once over 150 sq ft or two stories.

Land and environment

  • TreesNo permit is needed to remove a tree on a single-family lot outside an RPA. Heritage and specimen tree protections (County Code § 67-7) reach a single-family lot only if the owner agreed to the designation.
  • Floodplains, RPAs, wetlands and stormwaterResource Protection Areas run 100 ft from streams, plus adjoining steep slopes. Inside one, almost any new outdoor work needs county review, and adding impervious cover needs an exception. SetbackIQ checks the county's RPA map.
  • Steep slopes and problem soilsSteep slopes of 25% or more next to stream buffers are part of the RPA, so work there needs county review. Disturbing 2,500 sq ft or more anywhere needs a Land Disturbing Activity permit.
  • Historic districtsIn a local historic district, exterior changes need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the HALRB. SetbackIQ checks the county's historic district map.
  • Grading, easements and demolitionDisturbing 2,500 sq ft or more needs a Land Disturbing Activity permit (County Code Ch. 60). Teardowns and rebuilds in an RPA need county review.

Living and use

  • RVs, boats and trailers at homeTrailers may be kept only inside a garage. One unoccupied RV under 30 ft long and 8 ft wide may be parked behind the front line of the house.
  • Chickens, bees and urban farmingPoultry must be kept in a coop or yard at least 100 ft from every street and lot line (zoning § 12.7.1), which rules out nearly every Arlington lot. Birds may never wander onto a neighbor's land (County Code § 2-2).
  • Home businessesA home occupation needs a signed agreement with the zoning administrator. No signs, one non-resident worker at a time, 12 clients a day (4 at once), and no more than 25% of the house.
  • Family child care homesA family day care home for up to 12 children is a by-right accessory use in residential districts. Parents must escort children to and from the home. A state license is also required.
  • Occupancy limitsA household may be any number of relatives, or up to four people whether or not related.
  • Short-term rentalsYou need an annual accessory homestay permit and must live at the property at least 185 days a year. Up to six guests (or two per bedroom), and three in a detached accessory building.