ADUs are allowed in Unincorporated YorkTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Unincorporated York, VA
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
24,279
Owner-occupied
79%
Zoning districts
20
Avg Home Value
$453,421
Median Lot Size
0.36 acres
Avg Income
$122,539
Residential Types:
24,279 housing units
Single Family
86%
2-3 Family
3%
Apts (4+ units)
3%
Other
9%
Zoning Districts:
28,374 parcels · 20 districts
RR
26%(7,482)
R20
24%(6,747)
PD
18%(5,129)
R13
14%(4,102)
Other
17%(4,914)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Unincorporated York, VA?
Unincorporated York, 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 of 1,000 sq ft
- –By right, maximum of 35% of the principal dwelling’s habitable floor area
- –With Special Use Permit, maximum of 49% of the principal dwelling’s habitable floor area (still subject to the 1,000 sq ft cap)
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum ADU size is 1,000 sq ft or 35% of the principal structure’s floor area, whichever is less.
- –By Special Use Permit, maximum ADU size is 1,000 sq ft or 49% of the principal structure’s floor area, whichever is less.
Max Units
- –1 ADU per single-family detached lot
Parking
- –No minimum/maximum parking; require adequate off-street parking compatible with the single-family residence, and not blocking entry/exit; tandem/stacked exception for SF dwellings does not apply to ADUs.
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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