ADUs are allowed in Unincorporated GloucesterTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Unincorporated Gloucester, VA
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
21,981
Owner-occupied
50%
Zoning districts
15
Avg Home Value
$284,615
Median Lot Size
1.10 acres
Avg Income
$84,411
Residential Types:
21,981 housing units
Single Family
1%
Apts (4+ units)
2%
Other
97%
Zoning Districts:
25,275 parcels · 15 districts
SF-1
34%(8,492)
SC-1
33%(8,452)
C-2
15%(3,872)
RC-1
8%(2,129)
Other
9%(2,330)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Unincorporated Gloucester, VA?
Unincorporated Gloucester, 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 internal/attached ADU size: RC-1/RC-2/C-2/SC-1/SF-1 — larger of 800 sq ft or 35% of principal gross floor area on lots under 2 acres, and larger of 800 sq ft or 49% on lots 2 acres or more; B-1/B-4 — up to 1,200 sq ft and smaller than the commercial building’s footprint.
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size for detached ADUs: in RC-1, RC-2, C-2, SC-1, and SF-1 the cap is the greater of 800 sq ft or 35% of principal GFA on lots under 2 acres and 49% on lots 2 acres or larger; in B-4 the cap is 1,200 sq ft and must be smaller than the commercial building’s footprint.
Max Units
- –With a principal dwelling: 1 ADU/parcel
- –With a commercial structure: 1 ADU/parcel
Parking
- –1 space/ADU; max not specified. In B-2, on-street or joint parking with non-residential uses may satisfy residential parking if hours do not overlap and a written agreement is filed; no off-street loading or bicycle parking required.
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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