VirginiaSB5312026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Zoning; development and use of accessory dwelling units, delayed effective date.

Sponsored By: Kannan Srinivasan (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Zoning; development and use of accessory dwelling units. Requires a locality to include in its zoning ordinances for single-family residential zoning districts accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, as defined in the bill, as a permitted accessory use. The bill requires a person to seek a permit for an ADU from the locality, requires the locality to issue such permit if the person meets certain requirements enumerated in the bill, and restricts the fee for such permit to $500 or less. The bill prohibits the locality from requiring (i) setbacks for the ADU that are greater than the setback required for the primary dwelling or the setback required for accessory structures on the residential lot, whichever is less; (ii) conditions for ADUs that are more restrictive than those for single-family dwellings within the same zoning area with regard to height, rear, or side setbacks, lot size or coverage, or building frontage; or (iii) consanguinity or affinity between the occupants of the ADU and the primary dwelling. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Homeowners can add ADUs, $500 permit cap

Beginning July 1, 2027, homeowners in single-family zones can add an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) as a permitted use. You must get a local ADU permit. The permit fee is capped at $500, plus normal building, site, and inspection fees. The locality must issue the permit if your plan meets this law and building codes.

What your city can require for ADUs

Starting July 1, 2027, your locality can set some ADU rules but not others. It may require 30-day minimum leases; owner occupancy of either the ADU or main house when you apply; dedicated or replacement parking; code compliance for building, water, sewer, septic, emergency access, flood and stormwater, historic/architectural areas, and AICUZ; that the ADU sit within 500 feet of the main house; no ADUs on lots with more than one dwelling; and no selling an ADU separately. It must allow minimum ADU sizes of at least 350 sq ft on lots under 2,500 sq ft and at least 500 sq ft on larger lots. It cannot demand bigger side or rear setbacks than for the main house or accessory structures; stricter height, setback, lot, or frontage rules than for single-family homes; special covenants; street upgrades (beyond fixing damage from construction); or that occupants be relatives.

HOA and condo rules still apply

Homeowner association, condo, co‑op, and other private covenants still apply. This law does not override them. If your private documents ban ADUs, you still cannot build or rent one.

ADU rules start July 1, 2027

Most of this law takes effect July 1, 2027. Existing ADU permits approved before that date stay under their original rules. A locality can adopt an ADU ordinance before 2027 if it largely matches this law. Localities with ADU ordinances adopted before January 1, 2026 are not covered by this statute.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kannan Srinivasan

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 159 • No: 71

House vote 3/4/2026

Passed House

Yes: 62 • No: 37

House vote 2/27/2026

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns

Yes: 13 • No: 8

Senate vote 2/12/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 2/11/2026

Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/10/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/10/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/9/2026

Reported from Local Government with substitute

Yes: 8 • No: 7

Senate vote 1/21/2026

Rereferred from General Laws and Technology to Local Government

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0895)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 895 (Effective 7/1/2027)

    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

    3/14/2026Senate
  5. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB531ER)

    3/10/2026Senate
  6. Enrolled

    3/10/2026Senate
  7. Signed by President

    3/10/2026Senate
  8. Signed by Speaker

    3/10/2026House
  9. Passed House (62-Y 37-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026House
  10. Read third time

    3/4/2026House
  11. Read second time

    3/3/2026House
  12. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (13-Y 8-N)

    2/27/2026House
  13. Read first time

    2/17/2026House
  14. Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #3

    2/17/2026House
  15. Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns

    2/17/2026House
  16. Placed on Calendar

    2/17/2026House
  17. Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    2/12/2026Senate
  18. Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)

    2/11/2026Senate
  19. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)

    2/11/2026Senate
  20. Read second time

    2/11/2026Senate
  21. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/10/2026Senate
  22. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/10/2026Senate
  23. Rules suspended

    2/10/2026Senate
  24. Committee substitute printed 26107523D-S1

    2/9/2026Senate
  25. Senate committee offered

    2/9/2026Senate

Bill Text

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