Residential Occupancy Ordinances and Standards for Residential Units

Below you will find information about the county's residential occupancy ordinances and the standards for residential units.

Why does the County of Loudoun regulate the number of people living in your home?
Loudoun County continues to be one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. As the population grows, the demand for housing increases and many people search for affordable housing options. During the past several years, the county has received an increasing number of complaints from its citizens regarding overcrowding in single-family dwellings. In its worst state, overcrowding results in a threat to public safety and the welfare of the occupants of the homes, as well as the neighborhoods.

How is the number of people who can live in a dwelling determined?
The county has adopted a Zoning Ordinance and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code/International Property Maintenance Code, each of which regulates who and how many people may occupy a dwelling. Generally, the limitations are based on the size of the dwelling, the size and number of bedrooms, the relationship of residents, and fire safety standards. Non-compliance with any portion of these requirements constitutes a violation of legal occupancy requirements.

1) Occupancy Limitations Relative to the Size of the Dwelling Minimum Area Requirements: The county limits the number of adult occupants in a dwelling based upon the size of certain rooms in the dwelling. The following table illustrates these limitations:

SPACE	MINIMUM AREA IN SQUARE FEET
	1 - 2 Occupants	3 - 5 Occupants	6 or more Occupants
Living Room	No Requirements	120	150
Dining Room	No Requirements	80	100
Kitchen	50	50	60

2) Occupancy Limitations Applied to Bedrooms:

Bedroom Size (Square Feet)	Maximum Number of Occupants per Room*
70	1
100	2
150	3
200	4

Bedrooms:

• Must contain at least 70 square feet of floor area plus an additional 50 square feet per individual if occupied by more than one person. 
• Bedrooms must not be the only access to other bedrooms or habitable space and must not constitute the only exit from other habitable space. 
• Every bedroom must have access to a bathroom without having to pass through another bedroom. 
• Kitchens and other non-habitable space must not be used for sleeping purposes. 
• Bedrooms must provide light, ventilation, room area, ceiling height and room width in conformity with the code, and must be in conformity with fire safety requirements. (Please refer to 4) Fire Safety Requirements Applied to Bedrooms.) 

Source: Uniform Statewide Building Code/International Property Maintenance Code

Family: A group of people living together consisting of:

a) One or more persons related* by blood or marriage together with any number of natural, foster, step or adopted children, domestic servants, nurses and therapists and no more than two roomers or boarders; or

b) No more than 4 unrelated persons; or

c) Assisted living facilities and group homes of eight or fewer as defined in Section 15.2-2291 of the Code of Virginia. 

4) Fire Safety Requirements Applied to Bedrooms:

• Two means of exit must be available from a bedroom, with one being a door or window leading directly to the exterior. 
• The window sill must be at a maximum height of 44 inches from the floor. 
• An exit must not lead through another sleeping area or a bathroom. 

Other Important Information: Alterations to a residence such as converting rooms to other uses or building decks and sheds require the owner to obtain a zoning permit in addition to a building permit. (Not all sheds require a building permit.) Please consult with the Departmentof Planning and Zoning, 703-777-0246, before starting construction.

Contact
If you have additional questions or would like to speak with a member of the Zoning Enforcement Team regarding a specific issue, please call the Zoning Enforcement Hotline at 703-777-0103 and staff will return your call.

If you have a complaint about an overcrowding situation, please call the Overcrowding Hotline at 703-737-8190 or submit an overcrowding complaint online via Loudoun Express Request (LEx).