ADUs are allowed in RichmondTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Richmond, VA
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
68,626
Owner-occupied
61%
Zoning districts
37
Avg Home Value
$528,807
Median Lot Size
0.17 acres
Avg Income
$84,881
Residential Types:
68,626 housing units
Single Family
24%
2-3 Family
4%
Apts (4+ units)
3%
Other
68%
Zoning Districts:
76,756 parcels · 37 districts
R-5
26%(20,113)
R-6
16%(12,238)
R-4
12%(9,216)
R-3
8%(6,371)
Other
38%(28,818)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Richmond, VA?
Richmond, 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 size is the greater of one-third of the principal dwelling’s floor area or 500 sq ft
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size is the greater of 500 sq ft or one-third of the main single-family dwelling’s floor area.
- –For detached ADUs, the ADU’s building area cannot exceed the main building’s building area minus other accessory structures on the lot.
Max Units
- –Single-family: 1 ADU/lot.
- –Duplex/multifamily: none specified as ADU; R-48/R-53 allow 1 unit in existing accessory bldg.
- –JADU: none specified.
Rental Restrictions
- –STRs must be on the same lot as the operator's primary residence; only one STR per lot; a certificate of zoning compliance is required before operating.
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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Learn the key rules and size limits for ADUs