Living on the Water

Care for your waterfront yard and local waterways

Water is everywhere in Hampton Roads, including where many people live. If you have a waterfront home or property near a waterway, the choices you make in your yard can affect local water quality, shoreline health and the Chesapeake Bay.

The Chesapeake Bay is the nation’s largest estuary and one of the world’s most productive, supporting thousands of plant and animal species across a 64,000-square-mile watershed. Your local waterway is part of that larger system, and everyday choices near the water can help protect the Bay or add to the challenges it faces.

Know Before You Make Changes

The Chesapeake Bay is the nation’s largest estuary and one of the world’s most productive, supporting thousands of plant and animal species across a 64,000-square-mile watershed. Waterfront properties in the Chesapeake Bay watershed may be subject to special regulations under the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, also known as the Bay Act. These rules help localities balance development with water quality protection along waterways, including on private property.

Before starting a project near the water, such as removing trees, mowing to the shoreline, adding a deck or shed, installing a pool or changing your landscape, contact your local planning or environmental department for guidance.

What to check:

Whether your property is in or near a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area
Whether your project is in a Resource Protection Area or Resource Management Area
Whether you need CBPA approval or a permit before work begins
What local rules apply to buffers, wetlands, shoreline areas and nearby waterways

Find Local Contacts

Understand Common Waterfront Terms

If your property is near the water, you may hear terms related to Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area rules and shoreline protection. Understanding these terms can help you ask better questions before starting a project.

Helpful terms:

Resource Protection Areas (RPAs): Critical areas within the watershed that are usually adjacent to waterways and subject to more regulations
Resource Management Areas (RMAs): Areas adjacent to Resource Protection Areas that may extend about 100 feet landward or include other lands within a locality that could affect water quality if improperly developed
Buffer: A vegetated area, often about 100 feet, with trees, shrubs and plants that helps protect the shoreline from erosion and filters pollutants from stormwater runoff
Tidal wetlands: Vegetated and non-vegetated areas where water meets land and that are periodically covered by tides

Protect Your Waterfront Yard

A healthy waterfront yard can help protect your view, preserve your property and improve water quality. Trees, shrubs and native plants help filter pollutants from stormwater runoff, reduce erosion and provide habitat for birds, plants and animals that live near the water.

Water-friendly yard tips:

Don’t mow to the water’s edge; let shoreline areas grow
Preserve trees, shrubs and plants that help filter runoff and stabilize soil
Replace portions of turf grass with perennial native plants
Use the Native Plant Guides to choose plants that fit Hampton Roads conditions
Avoid removing vegetation or changing your landscape before checking local requirements
Contact a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional for help planning water-friendly improvements

A Small Change with a Big Impact

Every waterfront property is connected to a larger watershed. By preserving natural shorelines and making thoughtful landscaping choices, homeowners can help protect local rivers, the Chesapeake Bay and the wildlife that depend on them – while creating a healthier, more resilient shoreline for future generations.