More MetadataAbstract: The general soil association map outlines broad areas which have distinctive patterns in landscape and general geographic appearance. Each of the soil associations has a unique set of features which effect general use and management including shape and length of slope; width of ridgetops and valleys; frequency, size, and direction of streams; type of vegetation, rate of growth; and agriculture. These differences are largely the result of broad differences in kinds of soils and in the geologic materials from which the soils formed. A mapping unit typically consists of one or more major soils with minor soils, and is named for the major soils. This map shows, in small scale, a summary of the information contained on the individual detailed soil maps for Loudoun County. Because of its small scale and general soil descriptions, it is not suitable for planning small areas or specific sites, but it does present a general picture of soils in the County, and can show large areas generally suited to a particular kind of agriculture or other special land use. For more detailed and specific soils information, please refer to the detailed soils maps and other information available from the County Soil Scientist. Digital data consists of mapping units of the various soil types found in Loudoun County, Virginia. The data were collected by digitizing manuscript maps derived from USDA soil maps and supplemented by both field work and geological data. Field work for the soil survey was first conducted between 1947 and 1952. Soils were originally shown at the scale of 1:15840 and then redrafted by the County soil scientist to 1:12000; the data were redrafted a final time to fit Loudoun County's base map standard of 1:2400. Although the current data rely heavily on the original soil survey, there have been extensive field checks and alterations to the soil map based on current soil concepts and land use. The data are updated as field site inspections or interpretation changes occur.Purpose: Digital data are used to identify the mapping unit potential for a variety of uses, such as agriculture drainfield suitability, construction concerns, or development possibility. This material is intended for planning purposes, as well as to alert the reader to the broad range of conditions, problems, and use potential for each mapping unit. The mapping unit potential use rating refers to the overall combination of soil properties and landscape conditions. The information in this data set will enable the user to determine the distribution and extent of various classes of soil and generally, the types of problems which may be anticipated. HOW NOT TO USE THIS INFORMATION The information in this guide is NOT intended for use in determining specific use or suitability of soils for a particular site. It is of utmost importance that the reader understand that the information is geared to mapping unit potential and not to specific site suitability. An intensive on-site evaluation should be made to verify the soils map and determine the soil/site suitability for the specific use of a parcel. The original Soil Survey was written for agricultural purposes, but the emphasis has shifted to include urban/suburban uses. The Revised Soil Survey is currently under technical review and is expected to be published by 2006.Supplemental information: The Interpretive Guide to the Use of Soils Maps; Loudoun County, Virginia contains more detailed soils information. Data are stored in the corporate GIS Geodatabase as a polygon feature class. The coordinate system is Virginia State Plane (North), Zone 4501, datum NAD83 HARN.

See MetadataZOAM-2020-0002, Prime Agricultural Soils and Cluster Subdivision was adopted in June 2024, with an effective date of March 12, 2025, resulted in the amendment ordinances and revised regulations to improved cluster developments and use of prime agricultural soils in the Rural AR-1 and AR-2 Zoning Districts of the Rural Policy Area. The design of clustered residential development will be improved by incorporating natural features, protecting and conserving agriculturally productive prime agriculture soils, allowing for equine and rural economy uses, and further implementing the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan with respect to clustered residential development in order to guide all future cluster subdivision applications in the Rural North (AR-1) and Rural South (AR-2) Zoning Districts of the Rural Policy Area.As part of the ZOAM's approval, 15 soil types were identified as Prime Farmland Soils. They include the following soils types; 3A, 13B, 17B, 23B, 28B, 31B, 43B, 45B, 55B, 71B, 76B, 90B, 93B, 94B, 95B. All of these soil types are also currently identified as Prime Soils in the current Interpretive Guide to the use of Soils Maps; Loudoun County, VA, which further describes the soil mapping units within the Loudoun County Soils layer. The Interpretive Guide also identifies 3 other soil types as Prime Farmland Soils (17C, 70B, 70C) but for the purpose of this adopted ZOAM are not considered part of the new Prime Farmland Soils (Cluster Subdivision Option).This map shows, in small scale, a subset of the information contained on the individual detailed soil maps for Loudoun County by identifying the soil types that are considered Prime Farmland Soils (Cluster Subdivision Option). Because of its small scale and general soil descriptions, it is not suitable for planning small areas or specific sites, but it does present a general picture of soils in the County, and can show large areas generally suited to a particular kind of agriculture or other special land use. For more detailed and specific soils information, please refer to the detailed soils maps and other information available from the County Soil Scientist. Digital data consists of mapping units of the various soil types found in Loudoun County, Virginia. The data were collected by digitizing manuscript maps derived from USDA soil maps and supplemented by both field work and geological data. Field work for the soil survey was first conducted between 1947 and 1952. Soils were originally shown at the scale of 1:15840 and then redrafted by the County soil scientist to 1:12000; the data were redrafted a final time to fit Loudoun County's base map standard of 1:2400. Although the current data rely heavily on the original soil survey, there have been extensive field checks and alterations to the soil map based on current soil concepts and land use. The data are updated as field site inspections or interpretation changes occur.

Abstract: The general soil association map outlines broad areas which have distinctive patterns in landscape and general geographic appearance. Each of the soil associations has a unique set of features which effect general use and management including shape and length of slope; width of ridgetops and valleys; frequency, size, and direction of streams; type of vegetation, rate of growth; and agriculture. These differences are largely the result of broad differences in kinds of soils and in the geologic materials from which the soils formed. A mapping unit typically consists of one or more major soils with minor soils, and is named for the major soils. This map shows, in small scale, a summary of the information contained on the individual detailed soil maps for Loudoun County. Because of its small scale and general soil descriptions, it is not suitable for planning small areas or specific sites, but it does present a general picture of soils in the County, and can show large areas generally suited to a particular kind of agriculture or other special land use. For more detailed and specific soils information, please refer to the detailed soils maps and other information available from the County Soil Scientist. Digital data consists of mapping units of the various soil types found in Loudoun County, Virginia. The data were collected by digitizing manuscript maps derived from USDA soil maps and supplemented by both field work and geological data. Field work for the soil survey was first conducted between 1947 and 1952. Soils were originally shown at the scale of 1:15840 and then redrafted by the County soil scientist to 1:12000; the data were redrafted a final time to fit Loudoun County's base map standard of 1:2400. Although the current data rely heavily on the original soil survey, there have been extensive field checks and alterations to the soil map based on current soil concepts and land use. The data are updated as field site inspections or interpretation changes occur.

More MetadataAbstract: The soil spot points, or map symbols layer is a subset of the soils map. Spot points are isolated areas within a symbol that are designated with a symbol because the extent is too small to separate into another mapping unit. These points or symbols include areas such as sinkholes, springs, stony areas, wet spots, etc.Purpose: As a subset of the soils information, the spot points layer should be used in conjunction with the other soils layers. Spot points show specific areas that require special interpretation and/or land use which differs from the surrounding map unit.Supplemental Information: Data are stored in the corporate ArcSDE Geodatabase as a point feature class. The coordinate system is Virginia State Plane (North), Zone 4501, datum NAD83 HARN (vertical datum, if applicable, NAVD88), US Survey foot units.Maintenance and Update Frequency: As neededCompleteness Report: Features may have been eliminated or generalized due to scale and intended use. To assist Loudoun County, Virginia in the maintenance of the data, please provide any information concerning discovered errors, omissions, or other discrepancies found in the data.Soil Point Features: SP = Unknown; BPI = Borrow pit; CLA = Clay spot; GRA = Gravely spot; MDL = Made Land; ROC = Rock; SAN = Sandy spot; SNK = Sink hole; SPR = Spring; SSS = Soil sample spot; STN = Stoney spot; TEC = Terrace capping; WET = Wet spotData Owner: Department of Building and Development

The Crops Suitability Tool combines soil types, aspect (slope orientation), and percentage of slope to determine the best and least suitable sites in which to grow crops in Loudoun County. It includes different types of Agricultural Soils (Prime Farmland, Secondary Cropland, Grassland Agriculture, Orchard Land, Woodland Use and Wildlife) and its grade of suitability for grapes, tree fruits, hops, vegetables, flowers, herbs, small fruits, field crops, pasture and hay.A spatial model uses existing geographic data to predict an outcome. In this application, we combined soil types, aspect (slope orientation), and percentage of slope to determine the best and least suitable site in which to grow crops in Loudoun County, Virginia. It includes different types of Agricultural Soils (Prime Farmland, Secondary Cropland, Grassland Agriculture, Orchard Land, Woodland Use and Wildlife) and its grade of suitability for grapes, tree fruits, hops, vegetables (ethnic crops), flowers, herbs, and small fruits, field crops, pasture, and hay.This tool does not account for the incidence and prevalence of any type of pests (weed, insects, and diseases -nematodes, fungi, bacteria, or viruses) or weather conditions that can affect crops. The accuracy of the predicted outcomes is not 100% (for example: 17B soils in a concave position are not suitable for growing perennial crops or high cash valued crops); therefore, it is highly recommended to contact VCE Loudoun Commercial Horticulturist Beth Sastre to get a soil map report of the property and/or to have a site evaluation for further recommendation.We encourage farmers, beginner farmers, people interested in farming, and realtors to use this tool to make guided decisions before starting a crop for the first time or buying land. If you see major discrepancies while using this tool, please report them.

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Historic drainage is used in agricultural and farm plans, stormwater management, comprehensive planning, floodplain management, and facility planning to provide a better understanding of what previous drainage was like for a given area. Soils were originally shown at the scale of 1:15840 and then redrafted to 1:20000; the data were redrafted a final time to fit Loudoun County's base map standard of 1:2400. Although the current data rely heavily on the original soil survey, there have been extensive alterations. The data are updated as field site inspections or interpretation changes occur. This is a copy of the drains layer as it exists on 20010208. It is meant to provide the county with a historical base for drainage.Photogrammetric updates will not occur to this layer. Data are stored in the corporate ArcSDE Geodatabase as a line feature class. The coordinate system is Virginia State Plane (North), Zone 4501, datum NAD83 HARN (vertical datum, if applicable, NAVD88), US Survey foot units.

A spatial model uses existing geographic data to predict an outcome. In this application, we combined soils, aspect, and slope to determine the most and least suitable areas in which to grow hops. Click the Layers icon to turn on or off which layers you would like to view. Layers from the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, soils layer, and parcels (zoom in to turn on) are included for reference.

MetadataThe Mountainside Development Overlay District is a zoning overlay district administered by the Department of Building and Development. Mountainside classifications are based upon the following criteria: critical elevation, debris flow (slippage) potential, groundwater recharge, soils, slope, and forest values. Critical elevation areas are determined from the County's digital topography, soil and slope values are based upon data, the County's soil layer, and forested areas are based upon the digital forest data. This original MDOD replaces the voided layer implemented in 2003 (see disclaimer above).Purpose:The Mountainside Development Overlay District is a zoning overlay district (see Section 4-1600 of the 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance) and regulates development on the mountainsides of the County. Mountainside data should be used for general planning purposes only and is not intended for use in delineating specific use or suitability of soils for a particular site. Areas prone to debris flow (slippage) may not be accurately delineated. The Department of Building and Development is responsible for final clearance and interpretation on zoning/building permits and land development applications for the Mountainside Development Overlay District.