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Nelson County, VA Property Laws

Building setbacks, fence regulations, and zoning requirements for Nelson County.

Building Setbacks in Nelson County

Setback requirements determine how far structures must be from property lines. These minimums apply to most residential construction in unincorporated Nelson County.

Front Yard
50 ft
Side Yard
10 ft
Rear Yard
25 ft
Accessory Structures
5 ft

Setbacks vary by zoning district and lot size. R-2 District (most common residential): Front 50-75 ft depending on ROW, Side 10 ft min (25 ft total), Rear 25 ft. Agricultural districts have larger setbacks (300 ft for lots >20 acres). Accessory structures: 5 ft from rear property line, 10 ft from side property line.

Source: 5-3-1 through 5-3-3, 5-1-5, 6-1-6, 3-1-1b, 4-1-1b

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Walk your land and see the boundaries appear in AR. Know exactly where setbacks apply.

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Disclaimer: This information is extracted from Nelson County ordinances for reference only. Regulations vary by zoning district and may have changed. Contact the Nelson County Planning Department for official guidance before building.

Last updated: May 2026