ADUs are allowed in Unincorporated ClarkeTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Unincorporated Clarke, VA
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Parcels
6,875
Zoning districts
15
Avg Parcel Value
$391,489
Median Parcel Size
5.67 acres
Zoning Districts:
6,875 parcels · 15 districts
AOC
48%(3,333)
FOC
26%(1,759)
RR
24%(1,674)
CH
1%(55)
Other
1%(54)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Unincorporated Clarke, VA?
Unincorporated Clarke, VA follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.
Eligibility
- –Internal / Attached ADU: By Right
- –Detached ADU: By Right
Interior / Attached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum living space of an attached ADU (minor dwelling) is less than 600 sq ft
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum 600 sq ft for a Minor Dwelling in AOC/FOC on lots of 6 acres or more
- –Maximum 300 sq ft for a Temporary Family Health Care Structure in AOC, FOC, or RR
Max Units
- –Minor dwelling: 1 per qualifying lot (6+ acres); Temporary family health care structure: 1 per lot; Secondary dwelling (internal to a single-family dwelling): 1 per single-family dwelling; Commercial district accessory dwelling: 1 per commercial use; Tenant houses: up to 1 per 20 acres; 2 per 80 acres; 3 per 160 acres; 4 per 240 acres; plus 1 additional for each additional 80 acres (DUR required).
Owner Occupancy
- –No owner-occupancy requirement for ADUs.
Parking
- –Min 1.5 spaces/ADU (Accessory Apartment/Minor Dwelling); 2 spaces for Commercial District ADU; max 2.25 spaces; rounding: ≤0.5 discarded, >0.5 rounded up (e.g., 1.5 → 1); accessible parking applies only if site total meets thresholds.
Rental Restrictions
- –Short-term rentals limited to single-family, minor, or tenant dwellings (AOC/FOC) for <30 days; require zoning permit + business license; max one customer per lot per period; occupancy limits; no meals/events; RR district prohibits.
ADU State Law
What can you build in Virginia?
- –Virginia does not have a statewide ADU mandate; ADU rules are set by individual municipalities.
- –Building/fire codes are set statewide, but whether an ADU is allowed is local zoning.
- –SB 304 would have mandated ADUs. It passed the Virginia Senate in 2024 but was continued/left in House committee (i.e., not enacted statewide)
What's allowed on your lot?
These are the municipality-wide rules. What's allowed on a specific property also depends on state laws, setbacks, floor area ratio, lot coverage, environmental constraints, topography, and other property-specific factors. Search your address on FutureLot to see what's allowed on your property.
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ADU rules in other Virginia municipalities
Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.
Clarke County