Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 447: Local government or board of zoning appeals land use decisions; third-party standing requirements.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 447 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 12, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Local government or board of zoning appeals land use decisions; third-party standing requirements. Primary sponsor: Marcus Simon (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (February 16, 2026): Continued pursuant to House Rule 22 to 2027 in Courts of Justice.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Contesting local governing body or board of zoning appeals land use decisions; third-party standing requirements. Creates standing for any person who does not have an ownership interest in the property that is the direct subject of a local governing body or board of zoning appeals action if such person has alleged with particularity and proven by clear and convincing evidence that he (i) has an immediate, pecuniary, and substantial interest in the litigation, and not a remote or indirect interest; (ii) owns or occupies real property within or in close proximity to the property that is the subject of the land use determination; and (iii) has suffered (a) a particularized harm to a personal or property right, legal or equitable, or (b) an imposition of a burden or obligation different from that suffered by the general public. The bill clarifies that such standing requirements do not apply to any person who has an ownership interest in the property that is the direct subject of the decision of the local governing body or the board of zoning appeals.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus Simon | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 13 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Continued pursuant to House Rule 22 to 2027 in Courts of Justice
- Rereferred to Courts of Justice
- Motion to rerefer to Courts of Justice agreed to
- Read first time
- Committee substitute printed 26107930D-H1
- Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (13-Y 8-N)
- Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (6-Y 4-N)
- House subcommittee offered
- Assigned HCJ sub: Civil
- Referred from Counties, Cities and Towns and referred to Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)
- Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
- Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102160D