Frequently Asked Questions

• Residents in the SE and SW - Thursday (the additional yard waste collection day on trash day ends September 27th)
• Residents in the NE and NW - Friday (the additional yard waste collection day on trash day ends September 28th)
  

• For a confirmed violation, it may take more than 50 days to resolve.
• A shortage of parking in a residential area may not indicate a code violation.
• The Town's Zoning Ordinance addresses different aspects of excessive occupancy than the Loudoun County Building Maintenance Code:
• The Zoning Ordinance focuses on familial relationships of dwelling unit residents.
• The County's Building Code focuses on property maintenance elements and minimum floor area requirements.

Note that when a complainant is contacted by a Zoning Inspector to follow up on a complaint, the complainant contact information remains confidential.

An investigation is opened by a Zoning Inspector, which includes site visits and surveillance. If investigation shows that probable cause exists, a courtesy letter is sent to the property owner of the dwelling in question via postal mail to inquire regarding the complaint. If there is no response, then a door hanger is placed on the dwelling.

If a violation is verified through the investigation and inquiry, a Notice of Violation letter is sent to the property owner of the dwelling in question advising the owner to abate the violation. If the property owner cooperates with the Zoning Inspectors and abates the violation, the case is ultimately closed. If the owner does not cooperate, the Zoning Inspectors work with the Town Attorney to pursue legal action to resolve the violation.

Limitations on occupancy are based on the minimum area requirements of Table 404.5 in Chapter 4 of the Virginia Maintenance Code.

Excessive occupancy within the Town is defined in 2 ways:

1. Under the Leesburg Zoning Ordinance, occupancy limitations are defined by familial relationship.
2. Under the Virginia Property Maintenance Code, occupancy limitations are determined by the required minimum square footage of floor area, per resident of the dwelling (not familial relationship).

1. A person living alone.
2. Any number of persons all of whom are related by blood, marriage or adoption, guardianship, or other duly-authorized custodial relationship, as verified by official public records such as driver’s license, birth or marriage certificates.
3. Up to 4 persons not related to one another.
4. Not more than 8 persons who are residents of a residential facility as defined by Section 15.2-2291 of the Code of Virginia, or handicapped as defined by the Fair Housing Act.

The Excessive Occupancy Questionnaire, and the Zoning Violation Complaint Form need to be filled out and submitted to the Deputy Zoning Administrator via email, fax, postal mail, or in person. These forms are available at www.leesburgva.gov/eoep

The complainant contact information remains confidential.

In the case of a deck, shed or small building addition:
• 2 copies of your house location survey/plat with the addition or accessory structure (drawn to scale) on the plat. Staff will gladly assist homeowners who help prepare a plat for permit review.
• Depending upon the actual improvement(s), a Minor Site Plan or a Site Plan Waiver may also be required.
• A completed Zoning Permit Application.
• The appropriate fee for the type of Zoning Permit requested.

In the case of interior alterations such as finishing a basement, or remodeling a kitchen, please provide:
• 2 copies of a drawing indicating the new improvements. Interior alteration drawings do not have to be professionally prepared.
• A completed Zoning Permit Application.
• A fee is required for each permiit requested.

Also, if your property is located in the H-1 or H-2 Historic Districts, improvements will also be subject to the review and approval of the Board of Architectural Review (BAR).

A Town Zoning Permit is required for almost any type of construction within Town.  For example, constructing new buildings, room additions, interior alterations, decks, patios and accessory structures such as sheds, all require a Zoning Permit.

However, fences erected in residential districts do not require a zoning permit unless you are located within the H-1 or H-2 Historic Overlay Districts.  In these Districts, erection or modification of a fence requires Board of Architectural Review and/or Town Preservation Planner approval.  There are also height restrictions and material requirements which apply to fences.  Contact our Planning and Zoning Department for additional information.

You or your irrigation contractor must obtain a Loudoun County plumbing permit, install the proper backflow prevention device, and inform the Town's Utility Department of your system.

1. Your contractor must apply for a plumbing permit through Loudoun County Building & Development.
2. The irrigation system must be provided with an RPZ backflow preventer to eliminate any potential for cross connection.
3. The backflow preventer must be tested by a certified backflow tester and results submitted to the Town's Utility Department (Fax - 703.737.7185).
4. The backflow device must be tested annually to assure its operability.