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Driveways and front-yard parking in Arlington County, VA

Driveways 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.

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

The details

  • Lot coverage also counts patios 8 in or higher, detached decks 4 ft or higher, gazebos, pergolas and in-ground pools.High confidence
  • New paved surfaces in an RPA need review. Increasing impervious cover needs an exception.High confidence

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SetbackIQ reads the zoning, flood zone, historic district, and environmental maps for your lot. Then it applies these rules.

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Common questions

How much of the front yard can I pave or park on in Arlington County?
Driveways 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.

Sources

  1. Arlington County Zoning Ordinance § 3.1.4.A, lot coverage (effective June 13, 2026). Checked 2026-10-21
    Lot coverage is the percentage determined by dividing the area of a lot covered by... (b) The total footprints of accessory buildings that have either footprints larger than 150 square feet, or heights of two stories or more; (c) Driveways and parking pads …
  2. Arlington County, Resource Protection Area (RPA) and the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance. Checked 2026-10-21
    [RPA review is required for] new or replaced fences and retaining walls; new paved surfaces, including gravel; decks, sheds, and pergolas; removing trees 3 inches or more in diameter... [A CBORC exception is required for] increasing impervious cover in the …

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.