# Virginia SB839: Zoning; by-right multifamily development in areas zoned for commercial use.

Virginia SB839, Zoning; by-right multifamily development in areas zoned for commercial use., is a 2025 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Schuyler T. VanValkenburg (Democratic); status failed, last action 2025-01-20 (Failed to report (defeated) in Local Government (5-Y 7-N 3-A)) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB839-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB839
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Zoning; by-right multifamily development in areas zoned for commercial use.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-02
- Last action: 2025-01-20, Failed to report (defeated) in Local Government (5-Y 7-N 3-A)
- Sponsor: Schuyler T. VanValkenburg (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 1 (5 yes, 7 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Zoning; by-right multifamily development in areas zoned for commercial use. Requires a locality to provide in its zoning ordinance provisions allowing for the by-right development and construction of multifamily residential uses on all land contained in commercial or business zoning district classifications. The bill provides that the review and approval of such development shall be done administratively by the locality's staff and that any residential development that dedicates a minimum of 10 percent of the total number of housing units to households with a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median income shall be granted an accelerated plan review and permit approval process by the locality's staff.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Schuyler T. VanValkenburg (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-01-20 | Senate | Failed to report (defeated) in Local Government | fail | 5 | 7 | 3 |

## Actions (4)

- 2025-01-20: Failed to report (defeated) in Local Government (5-Y 7-N 3-A) (Senate)
- 2025-01-17: Impact statement from CLG (SB839) (Senate)
- 2025-01-02: Referred to Committee on Local Government (Senate)
- 2025-01-02: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-08-2025 25102146D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Amendment, 2025-01-20: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1023535.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1023538.HTML)
- Amendment, 2025-01-15: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1020688.HTML)
- Introduced, 2025-01-02: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1012212.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1012211.PDF)

## Related bills

- HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care. (adopted)
- SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty. (failed)
- HB1746: Public safety officer; definition. (failed)
- HB1600: Budget Bill. (failed)
- SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility. (failed)
- HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for infertility treatment. (to governor)

## Sources
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1023535.HTML)
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1023538.HTML)
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1020688.HTML)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1012212.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1012211.PDF)

## Related
- [HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HR671-2025)
- [SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB941-2025)
- [HB1746: Public safety officer; definition.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1746-2025)
- [HB1600: Budget Bill.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1600-2025)
- [SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1449-2025)
- [HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for i…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1609-2025)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB839-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).