CHAPTER 435
An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-2304 of the Code of Virginia, relating to affordable housing; local zoning ordinance authority.
[H 867]
Approved April 8, 2026
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 15.2-2304 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 15.2-2304 . Affordable dwelling unit ordinances in certain localities.
In furtherance of the purpose of providing affordable shelter for all residents of the Commonwealth, the governing body of any county where the urban county executive form of government or the county manager plan of government is in effect, the Counties of Albemarle and Loudoun, and the Cities of Alexandria, Charlottesville, Fairfax, and Falls Church locality in the Commonwealth may by amendment to the zoning ordinances of such locality provide for an affordable housing dwelling unit program. The program shall address housing needs, promote a full range of housing choices, help ensure that the housing needs for older residents to live independently are accommodated, and encourage the construction and continued existence of moderately priced housing by providing for optional increases in density in order to reduce land costs for such moderately priced housing. In addition to optional increases in density, the program may also include any combination of the following implementation measures and tools:
1. Lot size reductions, dimensional and form modifications, or floor area ratio increases for the production of affordable housing units, or any combination thereof;
2. Contribution to a local housing trust fund in lieu of construction of affordable housing units;
3. Accessory housing unit allowances;