Accessory dwelling units; development and use. (HB151)
Introduced By
Del. Ibraheem Samirah (D-Herndon) with support from 17 copatrons, whose average partisan position is:
Those copatrons are Del. Hala Ayala (D-Woodbridge), Del. Lamont Bagby (D-Richmond), Del. Lee Carter (D-Manassas), Del. Josh Cole (D-Stafford), Del. Nancy Guy (D-Virginia Beach), Del. Elizabeth Guzman (D-Dale City), Del. Patrick Hope (D-Arlington), Del. Clinton Jenkins (D-Suffolk), Del. Delores McQuinn (D-Richmond), Del. Will Morefield (R-North Tazewell), Del. Martha Mugler (D-Hampton, Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston), Del. Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke), Del. Don Scott (D-Portsmouth), Del. Shelly Simonds (D-Newport News), Del. Roslyn Tyler (D-Jarratt), Del. Rodney Willett (D-Henrico)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Development and use of accessory dwelling units. Provides that all localities shall allow for the development and use of one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per single-family dwelling (SFD), notwithstanding any contrary provision of a zoning ordinance. The bill defines "accessory dwelling unit" or "ADU" as an independent dwelling unit on a single-family lot with its own living, bathroom, and kitchen space that may be within or attached to SFDs or in detached structures on lots containing SFDs. ADUs may include basements, attics, flats, guest houses, cottages, and converted structures such as garages and sheds. The bill requires localities to regulate the size and design of ADUs through an approval process, as well as regulate fees, parking, and other requirements, provided that the regulations (i) are not so arbitrary, excessive, or burdensome, individually or cumulatively, as to unreasonably restrict the ability of property owners to utilize or create ADUs and (ii) do not require the property owner to occupy the ADU or SFD as his primary residence. Read the Bill »
Outcome
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 12/18/2019 | Committee |
| 12/18/2019 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/08/20 20104473D |
| 12/18/2019 | Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns |
| 01/17/2020 | Assigned CC & T sub: Land Use |
| 01/23/2020 | Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (6-Y 1-N) |
| 02/11/2020 | Left in Counties, Cities and Towns |
Comments
This bill is useful and long overdue.
Pass this bill! If Republicans really believe in private property rights and citizen's ability to do things without excessive government approval or intervention, then one would think that they would support this bill fully. Although this bill does not go far enough, it will help mitigated the looming affordable housing crisis.
I'd love to be able to build an apartment for my aging parents in the backyard instead of putting them in a nursing home.