{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/15.2-2279.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/15.2-2279.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/15.2-2279.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/15.2-2279.html"}],"law_id":347879,"edition_id":2,"section_id":347879,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2279","catch_line":"Ordinances regulating the building of houses and establishing setback lines","history":"1970, c. 452, \u00a7 15.1-29.2; 1987, c. 399; 1997, c. 587.","full_text":"Any locality may by ordinance regulate the building of houses in the locality including the adoption of off-street parking requirements, minimum setbacks and side yards and the establishment of minimum lot sizes.\n\nAny locality may by ordinance require that no building be constructed within thirty-five feet of any street or roadway and may provide for exceptions to such requirement whenever a large portion of existing buildings along a section of street or roadway is within thirty-five feet of such street or roadway. The provisions of such an ordinance shall not apply within the limits of any town which has enacted a zoning ordinance or has adopted an ordinance establishing minimum setbacks.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1297487,"text":"Any locality may by ordinance regulate the building of houses in the locality including the adoption of off-street parking requirements, minimum setbacks and side yards and the establishment of minimum lot sizes.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":""},"1":{"id":1297488,"text":"Any locality may by ordinance require that no building be constructed within thirty-five feet of any street or roadway and may provide for exceptions to such requirement whenever a large portion of existing buildings along a section of street or roadway is within thirty-five feet of such street or roadway. The provisions of such an ordinance shall not apply within the limits of any town which has enacted a zoning ordinance or has adopted an ordinance establishing minimum setbacks.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":""}},"ancestry":[{"id":49910,"edition_id":2,"name":"Land Subdivision and Development","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":6,"parent_id":49904,"metadata":{"child_laws":47,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:17:55","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:36","permalink":{"id":1382025,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49910,"identifier":"6","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6","url":"\/15.2\/II\/22\/6\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49904,"edition_id":2,"name":"Planning, Subdivision of Land and Zoning","identifier":"22","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":15,"parent_id":49834,"metadata":{"child_laws":192,"child_structures":12},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:17:49","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:35","permalink":{"id":1381797,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49904,"identifier":"22","token":"15.2\/II\/22","url":"\/15.2\/II\/22\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49834,"edition_id":2,"name":"Powers of Local Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":2,"parent_id":49831,"metadata":{"child_laws":1081,"child_structures":112},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:16:24","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:25","permalink":{"id":1379371,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49834,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49831,"edition_id":2,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":46,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":2297,"child_structures":225},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:16:22","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:22","permalink":{"id":1378281,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49831,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":347833,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2240","catch_line":"Localities to adopt ordinances regulating subdivision and development of land","url":"\/15.2-2240\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2240","metadata":false},{"id":347836,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2241","catch_line":"Mandatory provisions of a subdivision ordinance","url":"\/15.2-2241\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2241","metadata":false},{"id":347834,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2241.1","catch_line":"Bonding requirements for the acceptance of dedication for public use of certain facilities","url":"\/15.2-2241.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2241.1","metadata":false},{"id":347835,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2241.2","catch_line":"Bonding provisions for decommissioning of solar energy equipment, facilities, or devices","url":"\/15.2-2241.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2241.2","metadata":false},{"id":347837,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2242","catch_line":"Optional provisions of a subdivision ordinance","url":"\/15.2-2242\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2242","metadata":false},{"id":347839,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2243","catch_line":"Payment by subdivider of the pro rata share of the cost of certain facilities","url":"\/15.2-2243\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2243","metadata":false},{"id":347838,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2243.1","catch_line":"Payment by developer or subdivider","url":"\/15.2-2243.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2243.1","metadata":false},{"id":347842,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2244","catch_line":"Provisions for subdivision of a lot for conveyance to a family member","url":"\/15.2-2244\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2244","metadata":false},{"id":347840,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2244.1","catch_line":"Additional method for subdivision of a lot for conveyance to a family member","url":"\/15.2-2244.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2244.1","metadata":false},{"id":347841,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2244.2","catch_line":"Subdivision of a lot of property held in trust for a family member","url":"\/15.2-2244.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2244.2","metadata":false},{"id":347844,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2245","catch_line":"Provisions for periodic partial and final release of certain performance guarantees","url":"\/15.2-2245\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2245","metadata":false},{"id":347843,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2245.1","catch_line":"Stormwater management ponds; removal of trees","url":"\/15.2-2245.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2245.1","metadata":false},{"id":347845,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2246","catch_line":"Site plans submitted in accordance with zoning ordinance","url":"\/15.2-2246\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2246","metadata":false},{"id":347846,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2247","catch_line":"Applicability of subdivision ordinance to manufactured homes","url":"\/15.2-2247\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2247","metadata":false},{"id":347847,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2248","catch_line":"Application of certain municipal subdivision regulations beyond corporate limits of municipality","url":"\/15.2-2248\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2248","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Logan v. City Council of City of Roanoke","case_number":"Record 070371.","citation":"659 S.E.2d 296","date":"2008-04-18","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058511\/logan-v-city-council-of-city-of-roanoke\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 659 S.E.2d 296 (2008) .\u202f.\u202f. 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Bd. of Supervisors of Henrico Cnty.","case_number":"Record 181043","citation":"831 S.E.2d 690","date":"2019-08-22","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4654796\/loch-levan-land-ltd-v-bd-of-supervisors-of-henrico-cnty\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. OPINION BY JUSTICE STEPHEN R. McCULLOUGH .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":347860,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2261.1","catch_line":"Recorded plat or final site plans; conflicting zoning conditions","url":"\/15.2-2261.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2261.1","metadata":false},{"id":347862,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2262","catch_line":"Requisites of plat","url":"\/15.2-2262\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2262","metadata":false},{"id":347863,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2263","catch_line":"Expedited land development review procedure","url":"\/15.2-2263\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2263","metadata":false},{"id":347864,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2264","catch_line":"Statement of consent to subdivision; execution; acknowledgment and recordation; notice to commissioner of the revenue or board of real estate assessors","url":"\/15.2-2264\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2264","metadata":false},{"id":347865,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2265","catch_line":"Recordation of approved plat as transfer of streets, termination of easements and rights-of-way, etc","url":"\/15.2-2265\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2265","metadata":false},{"id":347866,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2266","catch_line":"Validation of certain plats recorded before January 1, 1975","url":"\/15.2-2266\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2266","metadata":false},{"id":347867,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2267","catch_line":"Petition to restrict access to certain public streets","url":"\/15.2-2267\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2267","metadata":false},{"id":347868,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2268","catch_line":"Localities not obligated to pay for grading, paving, etc","url":"\/15.2-2268\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2268","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Prasad Salunkhe v. Christopher Customs, LLC","case_number":"1195224","citation":null,"date":"2023-08-22","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/9421693\/prasad-salunkhe-v-christopher-customs-llc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":347869,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2269","catch_line":"Plans and specifications for utility fixtures and systems to be submitted for approval","url":"\/15.2-2269\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2269","metadata":false},{"id":347870,"structure_id":49910,"section_number":"15.2-2270","catch_line":"Vacation of interests granted to a locality as a condition of site plan approval","url":"\/15.2-2270\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2270","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Loch Levan Land Ltd. v. Bd. of Supervisors of Henrico Cnty.","case_number":"Record 181043","citation":"831 S.E.2d 690","date":"2019-08-22","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4654796\/loch-levan-land-ltd-v-bd-of-supervisors-of-henrico-cnty\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. OPINION BY JUSTICE STEPHEN R. McCULLOUGH .\u202f.\u202f. 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This law was first created in 1970. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 452 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1970 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1987, chapter 399; in 1997, chapter 587<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1382211,"object_type":"law","relational_id":347879,"identifier":"15.2-2279","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2279","url":"\/15.2-2279\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-2279\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/6\/15.2-2279","dublin_core":{"Title":"Ordinances regulating the building of houses and establishing setback lines","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-2279","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Any locality<\/span> may by ordinance<\/span> regulate the building of houses in the locality<\/span> including the adoption of off-street<\/span> parking requirements, minimum setbacks and side yards and the establishment of minimum lot sizes.<\/p>

Any locality<\/span> may by ordinance<\/span> require that no building be constructed within thirty-five feet of any street<\/span> or roadway and may provide for exceptions to such requirement whenever a large portion of existing buildings along a section of street<\/span> or roadway is within thirty-five feet of such street<\/span> or roadway. The provisions of such an ordinance<\/span> shall not apply within the limits of any town<\/span> which has enacted a zoning<\/span> ordinance<\/span> or has adopted an ordinance<\/span> establishing minimum setbacks.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nORDINANCES REGULATING THE BUILDING OF HOUSES AND ESTABLISHING SETBACK LINES (\u00a7\n15.2-2279)\n\nAny locality may by ordinance regulate the building of houses in the locality\nincluding the adoption of off-street parking requirements, minimum setbacks and\nside yards and the establishment of minimum lot sizes.\n\nAny locality may by ordinance require that no building be constructed within\nthirty-five feet of any street or roadway and may provide for exceptions to such\nrequirement whenever a large portion of existing buildings along a section of\nstreet or roadway is within thirty-five feet of such street or roadway. The\nprovisions of such an ordinance shall not apply within the limits of any town\nwhich has enacted a zoning ordinance or has adopted an ordinance establishing\nminimum setbacks.\n\nHISTORY: 1970, c. 452, \u00a7 15.1-29.2; 1987, c. 399; 1997, c. 587.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}