Statewide Density Increases Proposed in Virginia

"Virginia will soon weigh a proposal to increase the legal density of housing across the commonwealth, making it one of a handful of states to explore a statewide zoning mandate in response to the affordable housing crisis," according to an article by Kriston Capps.

The bill, H.B. 152, "would legalize duplex homes—townhouses, cottages, duplexes, and so on—in any place currently zoned for single-family homes," explains Capps. While the bill stops short of banning all single-family zones, it does amount to a blanket upzoning. The bill also "leaves questions about siting, design, setback, and other considerations to local governments to decide," according to Capps.

As noted by Capps, Virginia is following in the footsteps of Oregon, which banned single-family zones throughout the state with a bill approved earlier this year.

Julie Strupp also provides coverage H.B. 152.