ADUs are allowed in Unincorporated ShenandoahTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Unincorporated Shenandoah, VA
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
853
Owner-occupied
81%
Zoning districts
16
Avg Home Value
$158,824
Median Lot Size
0.83 acres
Avg Income
$73,465
Residential Types:
853 housing units
Apts (4+ units)
46%
Other
53%
Zoning Districts:
25,381 parcels · 16 districts
A-1
49%(12,372)
C-1
22%(5,523)
R-2
17%(4,319)
R-1
8%(2,016)
Other
5%(1,151)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Unincorporated Shenandoah, VA?
Unincorporated Shenandoah, 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
- –District-based upper bound: R-1 maximum 1,200 sq ft; in R-2 and R-3 the ADU must be smaller than the principal dwelling; A-1, C-1, and R-4 have no stated size cap.
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Size limit by zoning district: R-1 maximum 1,200 sq ft; R-2 and R-3 must be smaller than the principal dwelling (capped by principal floor area); A-1, RR (RR-A, RR-C), and R-4 have no size cap stated.
Max Units
- –C-1, A-1, R-2, R-3: 1 ADU/lot
Parking
- –2 spaces per ADU in residential districts (ADU is a dwelling unit); spaces must be on the same lot with a minimum 200 sq ft per dwelling; elderly multifamily may reduce to 0.5 space per unit with site plan approval; non-residential districts have no stated numeric minimum.
Rental Restrictions
- –Short-term rentals: max 30 consecutive days per guest; comply with §165-32.4. STRs in dwelling units regulated by district (by-right ≤4 bedrooms; ≥5 by special use permit).
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.
Shenandoah County