VirginiaHB12122026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Zoning; small lot residential districts required.

Sponsored By: Briana D. Sewell (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Small lot residential zoning districts. Requires any locality with a population of 50,000 or more to adopt, maintain, and apply to land within its boundaries at least one zoning district classification that permits a single-family dwelling on a lot with a minimum lot area not exceeding 3,000 square feet. The bill provides that such zoning district classifications shall not impose minimum lot widths exceeding 30 feet or setback, lot coverage, or density requirements that would preclude construction of eligible dwellings on conforming lots. The bill's provisions do not apply to areas within a historic district.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Large localities must allow small-lot homes

In any Virginia city or county with 50,000 or more people, zoning must include at least one district that allows single-family homes on lots up to 3,000 square feet. That district cannot require lot widths over 30 feet. It also cannot use setbacks, lot coverage, or density limits that block building on those legal lots. Localities can comply by keeping an existing zone that meets these rules or by amending one they already use.

Historic districts exempt from small-lot rules

The small-lot requirement does not apply inside state-designated historic districts. Localities do not have to allow the small-lot option within these areas. Homes there remain under the historic-district rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Briana D. Sewell

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 269 • No: 133

House vote 3/6/2026

Senate amendments agreed to by House

Yes: 60 • No: 35

House vote 3/6/2026

Senate amendments agreed to by House

Yes: 61 • No: 35

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Passed Senate with amendments

Yes: 21 • No: 18

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Local Government Amendments agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Reported from Local Government with amendments

Yes: 8 • No: 7

House vote 2/12/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 62 • No: 35

House vote 2/6/2026

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute

Yes: 17 • No: 3 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0751)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 751 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/14/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

    3/14/2026House
  5. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1212ER)

    3/13/2026House
  6. Enrolled

    3/13/2026House
  7. Signed by President

    3/13/2026Senate
  8. Signed by Speaker

    3/13/2026House
  9. Senate amendments agreed to by House (61-Y 35-N 0-A)

    3/6/2026House
  10. Reconsideration of Senate amendments agreed to by House

    3/6/2026House
  11. Senate amendments agreed to by House (60-Y 35-N 0-A)

    3/6/2026House
  12. Passed Senate with amendments (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026Senate
  13. Local Government Amendments agreed to

    3/4/2026Senate
  14. Engrossed by Senate as amended

    3/4/2026Senate
  15. Read third time

    3/4/2026Senate
  16. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/3/2026Senate
  17. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/3/2026Senate
  18. Rules suspended

    3/3/2026Senate
  19. Senate committee offered

    3/2/2026Senate
  20. Reported from Local Government with amendments (8-Y 7-N)

    3/2/2026Senate
  21. Referred to Committee on Local Government

    2/13/2026Senate
  22. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/13/2026Senate
  23. Read third time and passed House (62-Y 35-N 0-A)

    2/12/2026House
  24. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    2/11/2026House
  25. committee substitute agreed to

    2/11/2026House

Bill Text

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