Bill > HB804

This bill mandates that all localities in Virginia must increase their total housing stock by an average of 1.5% annually over a five-year period, starting January 1, 2028, to meet a total growth target of 7.5%. To achieve this, each locality must develop a housing growth plan by July 1, 2027, which will be submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development and made publicly accessible. While localities can choose their own strategies, their plan must include modeling that demonstrates the permitting of the required number of housing units and either a zoning ordinance allowing by-right development of multi-family housing on at least 75% of land in commercial or business districts, or the adoption of at least three specific housing growth strategies listed in the bill, such as eliminating minimum lot sizes, reducing parking requirements, increasing building height limits, or modifying zoning to allow accessory dwelling units and high-density housing in single-family zones. After January 1, 2033, if a residential development application that would increase housing supply is rejected by a local government, the applicant can appeal this decision to the board of zoning appeals, which can overturn the local decision and approve the project if certain conditions are met, including the locality failing to meet its housing growth target and not acting in good faith. The bill also allows for appeals of housing growth plans themselves to the board of zoning appeals starting July 1, 2027, and grants enhanced civil penalties for vacant buildings to localities that meet their housing growth targets.

Government Affairs

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB804