Fairfax Co. Maximum Height Regulations

Article 2 General Regulations

2-506   Structures Excluded From Maximum Height Regulations

1. The height limitations of this Ordinance shall not apply to accessory structures or uses such as barns, silos, chimneys, spires, cupolas, gables, penthouses, scenery lofts, domes, flagpoles, purple martin birdhouses, flues, monuments, television antennas, water towers, water tanks, smoke-stacks, or other similar roof structures and mechanical appurtenances; provided, however:

   A. No such structure when located on a building roof shall occupy an area greater than twenty-five (25) percent of the total roof area.

   B. No such structure shall be used for any purpose other than a use incidental to the main use of the building.

   C. Air-conditioning units on building roofs shall not be excluded from the maximum height regulations, unless the units are located in a penthouse or are completely screened on all four sides, such penthouse or screening to be an integral architectural design element of the building.

   D. No such freestanding structure shall be located except in strict accordance with the provisions of Part 1 of Article 10.

2. A parapet wall, cornice or similar projection may exceed the height limit established for a given zoning district by not more than three (3) feet, but such projection shall not extend more than three (3) feet above the roof level of any building.

Article 10 Accessory Uses, Accessory Service Uses and Home Occupations, Part 1, Accessory Uses and Structures, Section 10-102, Permitted Accessory Uses, Par. 12:

1. The following regulations shall apply to the location of all freestanding structures or uses except those specifically set forth in other paragraphs of this Section:

A.  For purposes of determining height, the height of an accessory structure shall be measured in accordance with Par. 4 of Sect. 10-103 above.

B.  An accessory structure or use, which does not exceed seven (7) feet in height, may be located in any part of any side or rear yard, except as qualified in Sect. 2-505.

C.  No accessory structure or use, except a statue, basketball standard or flagpole, shall be located (a) in any minimum required front yard on any lot or (b) in any front yard on any lot containing 36,000 square feet or less.  When located in a front yard, basketball standards shall not be located closer than fifteen (15) feet to a front lot line and twelve (12) feet to a side lot line, and shall not be used between the hours of 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM.

D. No accessory structure or use which exceeds seven (7) feet in height shall be located in any minimum required side yard.

E.  No accessory structure or use which exceeds seven (7) feet in height shall be located closer than a distance equal to its height to the rear lot line or located closer than a distance equal to the minimum required side yard to the side lot line.

F.      On a corner lot, the rear lot line of which adjoins a side lot line of a lot to the rear, no accessory structure or use which exceeds seven (7) feet in height shall be located:

(1)     Nearer to any part of the rear lot line that adjoins the side yard on the lot to the rear than a distance equal to the minimum required side yard on such lot to the rear, or

(2)     Nearer to the side street line than a distance equal to the minimum required front yard on the lot to the rear.