Loudoun River and Stream Corridor Resources (RSCR) Min Width

The minimum stream buffer establishes the River & Stream Corridor Resources area (RSCR) where land uses are limited and are measured outward from, the Ordinary High Water Mark of rivers, streams, and other waterbodies a distance of 100' or 300' depending on which waterbody it is measured from.

The minimum width of the RSCR apply along the entire length of, and are measured outward from, the Ordinary High Water Mark of rivers, streams, and other waterbodies a distance of 100' or 300' depending on which waterbody it is measured from. The 300' minimum stream buffer applies to the County's Scenic Rivers (Goose Creek & Catoctin Stream), Potomac River, Bull Run and Broad Run. The 100' minimum stream buffer applies to all other rivers and streams located within the Floodplain Overlay District. For mapping and data purposes, the minimum stream buffer distances for the RSCR are measured out from the either both edges of the County's double line stream data or from the centerline of the single line stream data. The County's stream data updated annually for pre-selected areas of the County with the Base Data mapping project. River and Stream Corridor Resources is a part of the Natural and Environmental Resources chapter of the new Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance adopted on Dec 13, 2023. Refer to Chapter 6 of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance for additional tables and graphs describing the RSCR and list of Natural and Environmental Resources permitted and special exception uses in both the RSCR and steep slopes. There are some limited uses potentially allowed in any RSCR buffer area that lies OUTSIDE of the 100' or 300' minimum buffer.