New Lot Coverage Guidance Approved In Vienna Zoning Ordinance Update

VIENNA, VA — A new zoning ordinance update approved by Vienna Town Council allows for more flexibility on outdoor space upgrades for residences.

As part of the town code update, town government has been working for two years to update lot coverage guidelines. Town Council had been considering five options for text amendments to the zoning ordinance on lot coverage. One of these options had been the current guidelines, which say decks cannot cover more than 5 percent of a lot. The current guidelines also maintain a maximum 25 percent of a lot can be covered by buildings, accessory buildings, parking spaces and access, sport courts, tennis courts, patios and terraces.

The option approved by Town Council allows an additional 5 percent of a lot to be covered by decks. In addition, homeowners can put a roof up to 400 square feet over a deck, which will not count toward the lot coverage restrictions. Covered decks have to be single-story and cannot be converted into indoor space, cannot be in the front yard, and must meet stormwater management practices.

This is the second text amendment on residential guidelines made to the town code in 2022. In March, Town Council approved a text amendment on front porch projections, allowing homes built at or near the front setback line to build a covered front porch. New covered porches must follow size requirements.

Town code amendments take effect 10 days after approval.

More information about the town's zoning code updates is available at www.codecreatevienna.com.