Some Zoning Ordinance rules for front yards are stricter than those for other yards. Find out more in this month's Code Compliance Corner

Front Yards – In responding to residents' concerns, the Department of Code Compliance (DCC) sometimes finds front yards being used in ways not allowed. Below are examples of what the Zoning Ordinance prohibits or regulates more strictly in front yards.  

• Outdoor storage is not allowed in front yards.
• Fences are allowed accessory to a principal use such as a dwelling. However, maximum fence height is typically limited to four feet in front yards. Some exceptions and additional information are provided on DCC's Fences and Walls flyer.
• Other accessory structures, such as sheds, gazebos, treehouses and swing-sets, are not allowed in front yards of lots of 36,000 square feet or less. A few exceptions and additional information are provided on DCC's Freestanding Accessory Structure Location flyer.
• In the R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 Districts, for any single-family detached dwelling on a lot no larger than 36,000 square feet, all parking for vehicles or trailers in a front yard must be on a surfaced area. The amount of surfaced area you can have for parking vehicles in a front yard is also limited in those districts. For additional information, please see DCC's Yard Coverage webpage.

DCC is here to help – if you have questions, want to make a report, or if you are the subject of enforcement and need to contact us. You can report problems online, learn about what happens during an investigation, reach us via email, phone (703-324-1300 / TTY 711), or visit us in person at 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 1016, Fairfax, VA 22035.