A Proposed Virginia Bill Would Effectively Ban Single-Family Zoning
✉️ Want to forward this article? Click here.
In a year when the nationwide housing crisis led many to question single-family zoning, the state of Virginia is entertaining a single-family ban.
Yesterday, Virginia House Delegate Ibraheem S. Samirah filed a bill that would amend the state code to require all jurisdictions within the state to allow two residential units on any lot zoned for a single-family dwelling.
The bill describes the code change as enabling the development of "middle housing", defined in this case as duplexes, attached houses and detached accessory dwelling units. While each locality will establish its own design, setback, and other zoning requirements, the bill specifies that the regulations should "not, individually or cumulatively, discourage the development of all two-family housing types permitted through unreasonable costs or delay."
story continues below
loading...story continues above
If this bill passes the state legislature and is voted into law, Virginia would be the second state, following Oregon, to effectively "ban" single-family zoning.
Delegate Samirah also filed a second bill that would permit one by-right detached or attached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per single-family house. These ADUs can include guest houses, converted garages, basements, and attics.
While each jurisdiction would develop and enforce the exact requirements for its ADUs, the bill also states that those regulations should not require the owner of the property to live on the premises, whether in the single-family house or the ADU. It also specifies that the regulations should not be "so arbitrary, excessive, or burdensome, individually or cumulatively, as to unreasonably restrict the ability of property owners to utilize or create ADUs".
The bills are expected to officially be introduced when the 2020 legislative session begins on January 8th and will then be assigned to a committee for review.
See other articles related to: accessory dwelling units, accessory dwellings, exclusionary zoning, missing middle, missing middle housing, single-family dwellings, single-family zoning, virginia
This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.production.logicbrush.com/articles/blog/a-proposed-virginia-bill-would-effectively-ban-single-family-zoning/16276.
Most Popular... This Week • Last 30 Days • Ever
Buffett called the five-bedroom listing home when his father, Howard Buffett, was ser... read »
Monument Realty has filed updated plans with Arlington County to redevelop the former... read »
What Republican control could mean for DC; the Post wants people back in the office; ... read »
A single home has come up for sale at Beale Square: an acclaimed, carriage-style town... read »
The sale of the 9,100 square-foot residence in Chevy Chase closed in October.... read »
DC Real Estate Guides
Short guides to navigating the DC-area real estate market
We've collected all our helpful guides for buying, selling and renting in and around Washington, DC in one place. Start browsing below!
First-Timer Primers
Intro guides for first-time home buyers
Unique Spaces
Awesome and unusual real estate from across the DC Metro