ADUs are allowed in LexingtonTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Lexington, VA
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
2,252
Owner-occupied
69%
Zoning districts
10
Avg Home Value
$296,359
Median Lot Size
0.26 acres
Avg Income
$81,804
Residential Types:
2,252 housing units
Apts (4+ units)
1%
Other
99%
Zoning Districts:
3,157 parcels · 10 districts
R-1
67%(2,111)
R-2
17%(525)
C-1
8%(265)
R-LC
3%(87)
Other
5%(169)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Lexington, VA?
Lexington, 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: Conditional Use Permit
Interior / Attached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size of 50% of the gross floor area of the principal structure
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size is 60% of the primary dwelling’s gross floor area, capped at 1,000 sq ft when the primary dwelling exceeds 1,000 sq ft; otherwise 600 sq ft.
Max Units
- –1 ADU per parcel containing a primary dwelling; Single-family dwellings (attached or detached): 1 ADU per parcel; Duplex and multifamily: none specified; JADU: none specified.
Owner Occupancy
- –Owner must occupy the principal dwelling or the accessory dwelling unit
Parking
- –1 space per ADU; max 4 outdoor spaces per residential lot; exceptions: waiver with adequate on-street parking; if no spaces exist, require 1 off-street; if 1–2 exist, maintain; if >2 exist, maintain at least 2; Historic Downtown Preservation District exempt from Article XII (ADU rules still apply).
Rental Restrictions
- –ADU STR limited to 45 nights/year; only Type B (whole-unit, no host); only one STR per parcel (choose ADU or primary); minimum stay overnight; citywide limit of one STR in residential districts may preclude ADU use if another STR exists
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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