What are the setback requirements in Chesapeake, VA?

Last researched June 2026

Dimensional standards in Chesapeake, VA

B-1 Neighborhood Business District — front yard30 feet
B-1 Neighborhood Business District — side and rear yards from property not zoned for residential useNone; however, if a setback (yard) is provided, it shall be at least four (4) feet.
B-1 Neighborhood Business District — side yard from property zoned for residential use20 feet
B-1 Neighborhood Business District — rear yard from property zoned for residential use30 feet
B-1 Neighborhood Business District — off-street parking front setback10 feet front yard — Side and rear yards according to required landscape buffer yards.
B-2 General Business District — front yard35 feet — Other listed dimensional standards same as B-1 in supplied guide.
B-5 Urban Business (Downtown) District — front yard5 feet from the right-of-way line or, for replacement structures and additions or along the established front yard building line, whichever is less stringent — Special exception for party-wall rows is noted in the supplied source.
B-5 Urban Business (Downtown) District — side yard from property not zoned for residential usenone required; however, if a yard is provided, it shall be at least four (4) feet
B-5 Urban Business (Downtown) District — rear yard from property not zoned for residential usefive (5) feet
B-5 Urban Business (Downtown) District — side and rear yards from property zoned for residential use10 feet — Under certain circumstances, this setback may be reduced to 5 feet.
M-1 Light Industrial District — front yard25 feet
M-1 Light Industrial District — side yard10 feet — Side and/or rear yard setback of zero (0) may be approved in certain integrated industrial site plan or comparable circumstances.
M-1 Light Industrial District — rear yard25 feet — Rear yard setback of zero (0) may be approved where the adjoining rear property is also zoned for industrial use; landscaping rules may require greater setback in some situations.
M-2 General Industrial District — front yard25 feet
M-2 General Industrial District — side yard10 feet
M-2 General Industrial District — rear yard25 feet
M-3 Waterfront Industrial District — front yard25 feet
M-3 Waterfront Industrial District — side yard10 feet
M-3 Waterfront Industrial District — rear yard25 feet

Related questions

What are the setback requirements in Chesapeake, VA?

Setbacks vary by district. Examples — B-1 Neighborhood Business District front yard: 30 feet; B-1 Neighborhood Business District side and rear yards from property not zoned for residential use: None; however, if a setback (yard) is provided, it shall be at least four (4) feet.; B-1 Neighborhood Business District side yard from property zoned for residential use: 20 feet; B-1 Neighborhood Business District rear yard from property zoned for residential use: 30 feet. Always confirm the exact yard requirements for your district with Chesapeake, VA.

Full investor analysis

Setbacks vary by district. The full Chesapeake, VA report compares the dimensional standards and overlays published across the municipality. First town report is free.

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More about Chesapeake, VA zoning

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This summary is AI-generated from public municipal sources and is not legal, engineering, or land-use advice. Always verify zoning with Chesapeake, VA officials before making decisions.

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