Development Standards

A number of development standards apply to the development of property. This includes the construction of principal and accessory structures on a lot. Those standards include general site standards. Site standards include minimum lot size, minimum lot width, a front yard from the street, a side yard from a lot line perpendicular to a street, a rear yard across the rear of a lot, lot coverage of all buildings and roofed structures, maximum building height, and off-street parking.

For safety reasons, a set back is the minimum required distance between the property line and the building line.

Once the zoning district has been determined for your property, you may find out the required distances from building on your property to your property lines.

The Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance (CZO) establishes development standards for each zoning district.

• Commercial Development Standards (PDF)
• Residential Development Standards (PDF)

If any deviation is desired, then the following exception procedures may apply:

• Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA)
• Special Exceptions
• CBPA Exception Appeal
• Subdivision Variance
• PUD Deviations