Snow Load in Virginia

119 counties — Average 20.8 PSF (Moderate)

60
42
17
Light (50.4%) Moderate (35.3%) Case Study (14.3%)
Light — 60 counties with 1–20 PSF. Standard roof construction is typically sufficient.
Moderate — 42 counties with 21–40 PSF. Roofs need reinforced framing to handle regular snow buildup.
Case Study — 17 counties where snow loads vary too much to assign one number. A licensed engineer must determine the load for your specific site.

Based on ASCE 7-22, the national standard for structural snow loads used by engineers and building codes across the US.

Virginia Snow Load Map

Counties colored by snow load classification.

Virginia

Check Your ZIP Code

All 119 Counties — By Snow Load

CountyClassificationSnow Load
Accomack Light 15 PSF
Albemarle Moderate 30 PSF
Alexandria Moderate 25 PSF
Alleghany Case Study Site Study
Amelia Light 20 PSF
Amherst Moderate 30 PSF
Appomattox Moderate 25 PSF
Arlington Moderate 25 PSF
Augusta Moderate 25 PSF
Bath Case Study Site Study
Bedford Case Study Site Study
Bland Light 20 PSF
Botetourt Case Study Site Study
Bristol Light 15 PSF
Brunswick Light 20 PSF
Buchanan Light 15 PSF
Buckingham Moderate 25 PSF
Campbell Moderate 25 PSF
Caroline Moderate 25 PSF
Carroll Moderate 25 PSF
Charles City Light 20 PSF
Charlotte Light 20 PSF
Charlottesville Moderate 30 PSF
Chesapeake Light 10 PSF
Chesterfield Light 20 PSF
Clarke Case Study Site Study
Craig Case Study Site Study
Culpeper Moderate 30 PSF
Cumberland Moderate 25 PSF
Danville Light 20 PSF
Dickenson Light 15 PSF
Dinwiddie Light 20 PSF
Essex Light 20 PSF
Fairfax Moderate 25 PSF
Fairfax Moderate 25 PSF
Falls Church Moderate 25 PSF
Fauquier Moderate 30 PSF
Floyd Moderate 25 PSF
Fluvanna Moderate 25 PSF
Franklin Moderate 25 PSF
Frederick Case Study Site Study
Fredericksburg Moderate 25 PSF
Giles Moderate 25 PSF
Gloucester Light 15 PSF
Goochland Moderate 25 PSF
Grayson Light 20 PSF
Greene Moderate 30 PSF
Greensville Light 15 PSF
Halifax Light 20 PSF
Hampton Light 10 PSF
Hanover Light 20 PSF
Harrisonburg Case Study Site Study
Henrico Light 20 PSF
Henry Light 20 PSF
Highland Case Study Site Study
Isle of Wight Light 10 PSF
James City Light 15 PSF
King George Moderate 25 PSF
King William Light 20 PSF
King and Queen Light 20 PSF
Lancaster Light 20 PSF
Lee Light 15 PSF
Loudoun Moderate 30 PSF
Louisa Moderate 30 PSF
Lunenburg Light 20 PSF
Lynchburg Moderate 25 PSF
Madison Moderate 30 PSF
Manassas Moderate 25 PSF
Martinsville Light 20 PSF
Mathews Light 15 PSF
Mecklenburg Light 20 PSF
Middlesex Light 20 PSF
Montgomery Case Study Site Study
Nelson Moderate 30 PSF
New Kent Light 20 PSF
Newport News Light 10 PSF
Norfolk Light 10 PSF
Northampton Light 15 PSF
Northumberland Light 20 PSF
Nottoway Light 20 PSF
Orange Moderate 30 PSF
Page Case Study Site Study
Patrick Light 20 PSF
Pittsylvania Light 20 PSF
Poquoson Light 10 PSF
Portsmouth Light 10 PSF
Powhatan Moderate 25 PSF
Prince Edward Moderate 25 PSF
Prince George Light 20 PSF
Prince William Moderate 25 PSF
Pulaski Moderate 25 PSF
Radford Moderate 25 PSF
Rappahannock Moderate 30 PSF
Richmond Light 20 PSF
Richmond Light 20 PSF
Roanoke Case Study Site Study
Roanoke Moderate 25 PSF
Rockbridge Case Study Site Study
Rockingham Case Study Site Study
Russell Light 15 PSF
Scott Light 15 PSF
Shenandoah Case Study Site Study
Smyth Light 20 PSF
Southampton Light 15 PSF
Spotsylvania Moderate 25 PSF
Stafford Moderate 25 PSF
Suffolk Light 10 PSF
Surry Light 15 PSF
Sussex Light 15 PSF
Tazewell Light 20 PSF
Virginia Beach Light 10 PSF
Warren Case Study Site Study
Washington Light 15 PSF
Westmoreland Light 20 PSF
Williamsburg Light 15 PSF
Winchester Case Study Site Study
Wise Light 15 PSF
Wythe Moderate 25 PSF
York Light 15 PSF

Source: ASCE 7-22 ground snow load data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the snow load in Virginia?

Virginia has an average ground snow load of 20.8 PSF, classified as moderate. Out of 119 counties: 60 light, 42 moderate, 17 case study.

Which Virginia counties have the highest snow load?

17 counties require a site-specific case study. See the county table above for a complete breakdown.

How do I check snow load for my Virginia address?

Enter your ZIP code in the search box above to see your area's ASCE 7-22 ground snow load, classification, and roof snow load calculator.

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