ADUs are allowed in Unincorporated FranklinTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Unincorporated Franklin, VA
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
35,090
Owner-occupied
71%
Zoning districts
19
Avg Home Value
$277,359
Median Lot Size
1.42 acres
Avg Income
$78,902
Residential Types:
35,090 housing units
Single Family
100%
Zoning Districts:
43,340 parcels · 19 districts
NZ
36%(15,726)
A1
36%(15,680)
R1
12%(5,050)
RPD
7%(2,827)
Other
9%(4,057)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Unincorporated Franklin, VA?
Unincorporated Franklin, 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
Owner Occupancy
- –No owner-occupancy required; second dwelling limited to family
Rental Restrictions
- –Short-term rentals (<30 days) prohibited in most districts; RPD permits short-term tourist rentals.
- –Detached ADU: second dwelling limited to immediate family or farm workers; unrelated-tenants rental effectively prohibited (100+ acre exception).
- –Attached ADU: RE, R-1, R-2, RC-1 limit second dwelling to immediate family via special use permit; short-term bans apply in these districts; RPD permits short-term.
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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Is your property eligible for an ADU?
ADU rules in other Virginia municipalities
Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.
Franklin County