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Chesapeake, Virginia Zoning Map

Zoning, overlays and hazards on every parcel — and an answer to what the code actually lets you build. Compiled from current zoning data for all 34 districts.

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Coverage

What's in the Chesapeake dataset

Every field below is available for any Chesapeake parcel, on the map and through the AI.

Zoning

  • District code & full name
  • Parcel boundary & APN
  • All 34 districts mapped

Building controls

  • Front setback
  • Side setback
  • Rear setback
  • Building height
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Overlays, hazards & AI

  • Flood hazard & environmental layers
  • Ask the AI about any parcel
  • Powered by live parcel data
Zoning Districts

Chesapeake, Virginia Zoning Districts: What Do They Mean?

Zoning districts are areas regulated by specific laws that determine land use, building types, and development rules. Each district below shows its zone type. Chesapeake's ordinance does not state permitted uses as citywide flags, so they are read from each district's own table rather than summarised here.

Zone CodeCategoryAreaDetails
A-1
Agricultural District
-
104,002.2 ac
Standards & uses →
C-1
Conservation District
-
53,576.9 ac
Standards & uses →
R-15S
Residential District
-
15,519.7 ac
Standards & uses →
PUD
Planned Unit Development
-
9,321.5 ac
Standards & uses →

Showing 4 of 34 districts

Common Questions

Start from what you're trying to build

Each one runs against the live Chesapeake dataset and returns the districts, standards and approvals involved.

What does A-1 actually permit?

The full standards for one district, read straight from the source.

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City Context

How is Chesapeake zoned?

Chesapeake regulates land through 34 zoning districts across a very large jurisdiction, and the two largest are not development districts: Agricultural covers roughly 104,002 acres and Conservation about 53,577.

Together they account for the great majority of the city, so the developable share is a small fraction of the map. A second Conservation And Recreation district adds roughly 495 acres.

The residential districts carry an S suffix on several codes: R-8S, R-10S, R-12S and R-15S, alongside plain R-6, R-10 and R-15 versions. R-15S is the largest residential district at roughly 15,520 acres, and one district carries both a parenthetical letter and the S suffix.

That suffix is the key diligence point, since R-15 and R-15S are separate districts covering very different areas.

A Waterfront Industrial district covers roughly 1,582 acres, distinguishing working waterfront from the general and light industrial districts.

Planned Unit Development covers roughly 9,321 acres, the fourth largest classification.

A Residential Estate district covers roughly 2,772 acres and a Townhouse Residential district about 594.

General business covers roughly 1,826 acres and an Office And Institutional district about 1,275. This is pre-development intelligence, not legal advice - verify with the local planning department before acquisition.

FAQ

Chesapeake zoning: frequently asked questions

How much of Chesapeake is agricultural or conservation land?

Agricultural covers roughly 104,002 acres and Conservation about 53,577, together the great majority of the city. The developable share is a small fraction of the map.

What does the S suffix mean on residential codes?

It distinguishes separate districts. R-15 covers roughly 1,325 acres while R-15S covers about 15,520, so the two are not interchangeable and the suffix must be established.

What is the Waterfront Industrial district?

A district covering roughly 1,582 acres distinguishing working waterfront from the general and light industrial districts.

How much land is under planned development?

Roughly 9,321 acres, the fourth largest classification, governed by approved plans rather than by the citywide tables.

Which is the largest residential district?

R-15S at roughly 15,520 acres, followed by R-10S at about 8,085 and R-8S at roughly 4,171.

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Zoning, overlays, hazards, and what the code actually allows - in one place.

Zoning data is pre-development intelligence, not legal advice. Verify with the Chesapeake planning department before acquisition or design.