Virginia Upzoning and Accessory Dwelling Unit Bills Killed Quickly in Committee

The Land Use subcommittee of the Virginia House of Delegates decided quickly to uphold local control of zoning.

1 minute read

January 26, 2020, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Virginia

A residential street in Herndon, Virginia. | Kristi Blokhin / Shutterstock

"In Virginia, a bold proposal to address housing shortages in the state died in a House of Delegates subcommittee hearing Thursday morning," reports Ally Schweitzer.

"The bill [HB 152] from Del. Ibraheem Samirah (D-Herndon) would have forced localities statewide to open up all single-family neighborhoods to duplexes and other housing types that accommodate two families," adds Schweitzer.

"Subcommittee members raised concerns about allowing the state to exercise more influence over zoning, which is traditionally handled by local governments."

The same Land Use subcommittee shot down another bill proposed by Samirah, HB 151, "which would have legalized construction of tiny homes and other ADUs (accessory dwelling units) statewide," according to Schweitzer.

The chance for Virginia to join a small but growing number of states to address a housing affordability crisis by preempting local land use regulations was short-lived. Samirah proposed HB 152 in December. Oregon is still the only state to approve statewide legislation to end single-family zoning statewide, though state legislatures in Nebraska and Maryland are still scheduled to consider similar laws this year.

Alex Baca, who testified in support of HB 152 at the subcommittee hearing, provides additional coverage of the bill's failure, and potential next steps, in an article for Greater Greater Washington.

Thursday, January 23, 2020 in WAMU

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing