VirginiaHB2772026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Zoning; wireless facility modifications, application process.

Sponsored By: Holly M. Seibold (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Zoning; wireless facility modifications; application process. Prohibits a locality from denying an application for the modification of an existing wireless facility if (i) the modification would not substantially change the physical dimensions of the existing wireless facility; (ii) the modification involves the co-location of new transmission equipment, the removal of transmission equipment, or the replacement of transmission equipment; and (iii) the request meets the requirements of the bill. The bill provides that a modification does not substantially change the physical dimensions of the existing wireless facility if it entails the excavation or deployment of transmission equipment within 30 feet, in any direction, of the existing wireless support structure or base station. The bill also provides various requirements for local approval within a specified timeframe, permits any applicant or locality to bring claims related to the bill to any court of competent jurisdiction, and prohibits any party, other than the applicant or locality, from having an actionable appeal for the issuance of permits or authorizations made pursuant to the bill.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Wireless review fees capped at $1,000

Localities may charge only one-time fees that match their actual direct and reasonable costs to review a modification. For technical consultation and review of a co-location or eligible facilities request, the fee cannot be more than $1,000. Fees may include third-party consultant costs, but not travel costs or pay-for-results deals.

Faster approvals for wireless facility upgrades

Localities cannot deny changes to an existing wireless site when the change does not substantially change its size and it is a co-location, removal, or replacement of transmission equipment. Excavation or deployment within 30 feet of the support structure or base station, outside public rights-of-way and not counting access or utility easements, is treated as not changing size. Localities must approve or deny within 60 days, unless both sides agree to pause or the filing is incomplete. For incompleteness, they must send written notice within 30 days listing the missing items allowed by this law; after the applicant submits more, they have 10 days to say those same items are still missing and cannot add new ones. If they do not act in time, the application is deemed approved once the applicant gives written notice; then the locality has 30 calendar days to issue all permits or go to court. When an applicant states in writing that the change is allowed, the locality may only ask for documents needed to check that claim, and third parties generally cannot appeal these approvals.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Holly M. Seibold

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 210 • No: 8

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Reported from Local Government

Yes: 13 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote 2/5/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 90 • No: 7 • Other: 1

House vote 1/30/2026

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute

Yes: 19 • No: 1 • Other: 1

House vote 1/29/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0376)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 376 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  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. Signed by Speaker

    3/12/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB277ER)

    3/11/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/11/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/11/2026Senate
  9. Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026Senate
  10. Read third time

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

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

    3/3/2026Senate
  13. Rules suspended

    3/3/2026Senate
  14. Reported from Local Government (13-Y 0-N 1-A)

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

    2/6/2026Senate
  16. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/6/2026Senate
  17. Read third time and passed House (90-Y 7-N 1-A)

    2/5/2026House
  18. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    2/4/2026House
  19. committee substitute agreed to

    2/4/2026House
  20. Read second time

    2/4/2026House
  21. Read first time

    2/3/2026House
  22. Committee substitute printed 26106328D-H1

    1/30/2026House
  23. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (19-Y 1-N 1-A)

    1/30/2026House
  24. House subcommittee offered

    1/29/2026House
  25. Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 0-N)

    1/29/2026House

Bill Text

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