All Roll Calls
Yes: 198 • No: 62
Sponsored By: R. Creigh Deeds (Democratic)
Became Law
Vested rights; rulings or orders of the local circuit court. Provides that a landowner's vested rights in a specific residential project shall not be affected by a subsequent ruling or order of the local circuit court applicable to a zoning ordinance amendment when such ruling or order affects at least 25 individual parcels within a locality unless the significant affirmative governmental act approving such residential project is the direct subject of the ruling or order.
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8 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
The law locks in your development rights once three things happen: a significant government approval for a specific project, you rely on it in good faith, and you spend a lot to pursue the project. Examples of qualifying approvals include accepted proffers, rezoning, special exceptions or variances, approved preliminary or final plats or site plans (with diligent pursuit of final approval), and final written zoning decisions that are no longer appealable. For residential projects, a later local circuit court ruling that affects 25 or more parcels does not undo your vested rights, unless your project’s own approval is the ruling’s direct target.
Owners of homes and businesses may repair, rebuild, or replace buildings damaged by a natural disaster, an act of God, or an accidental fire. You can remove or reduce nonconforming features without a variance. If damage is over 50% and you can only repair by restoring the old nonconforming design, you may restore it. Work must meet the Uniform Statewide Building Code and local floodplain rules. Finish within two years, or within four years if a federal disaster is declared for the area.
If you own a valid nonconforming manufactured or mobile home, you can replace it with a newer home that meets current HUD standards. In parks, a single-section replaces single-section and multi-section replaces multi-section. The new home keeps the prior home’s nonconforming status.
Localities may let a nonconforming use continue only if the same or a more limited use keeps going and is not stopped for over two years. If you enlarge square footage or make structural changes, you may have to meet current code and bring the use into conformity. A building is treated as nonconforming, not illegal, if it was built under a valid permit with a certificate of occupancy, you relied on a permit and spent a lot in good faith, or you have paid local taxes on it for more than 15 years. A locality can require safety and code upgrades without taking away nonconforming status. Improvements built under other permits, or after an authorized official said they would comply, can be treated as nonconforming, not illegal.
If you hold a business license for a nonconforming use, have operated at the same location for at least 15 years, and have paid all local taxes, you can apply for rezoning or a special use permit with no filing fees. The locality must waive those fees.
If an authorized official is dead or cannot testify, an uncorroborated account of what the official said is not enough proof. You need other evidence to show the official actually made the statement.
A sign is abandoned if the business it served has not operated for at least two years. After trying to notify the owner, the locality can order removal. If you refuse, the locality can remove the sign, bill you for the cost, and ask a court to enforce removal.
You may replace an on-site sewage system in the same general spot. If a public sewer is available, you must connect instead of installing a new on-site system. Any new or replacement system must meet the Health Department rules in effect at installation.
R. Creigh Deeds
Democratic • Senate
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 198 • No: 62
House vote • 3/11/2026
Passed House
Yes: 63 • No: 36
House vote • 3/6/2026
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns
Yes: 13 • No: 7
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Read third time and passed Senate
Yes: 21 • No: 17
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading)
Yes: 39 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/16/2026
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments
Yes: 10 • No: 2 • Other: 1
Senate vote • 2/16/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)
Yes: 39 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/16/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/26/2026
Rereferred from Local Government to Courts of Justice
Yes: 13 • No: 0 • Other: 1
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0948)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 948 (effective 7/1/2026)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB504)
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
Signed by Speaker
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB504ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Passed House (63-Y 36-N 0-A)
Read third time
Read second time
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (13-Y 7-N)
Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
Read first time
Placed on Calendar
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB504)
Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 17-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to
Rules suspended
Engrossed by Senate as amended (Voice Vote)
Read second time
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Chaptered
4/13/2026
Enrolled
3/30/2026
Amendment
2/17/2026
Engrossed
2/17/2026
Amendment
2/16/2026
Amendment
1/26/2026
Introduced
1/13/2026
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