Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 531: Zoning; development and use of accessory dwelling units, delayed effective date.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 531 is a bill introduced in the Virginia Senate on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Zoning; development and use of accessory dwelling units, delayed effective date. Primary sponsor: Kannan Srinivasan (Democratic). It lists 1 additional sponsor. Most recent recorded action (April 13, 2026): Approved by Governor-Chapter 895 (effective 7/1/2026).
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.
Zoning; development and use of accessory dwelling units. Requires a locality to include in its zoning ordinances for single-family residential zoning districts accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, as defined in the bill, as a permitted accessory use. The bill requires a person to seek a permit for an ADU from the locality, requires the locality to issue such permit if the person meets certain requirements enumerated in the bill, and restricts the fee for such permit to $500 or less. The bill prohibits the locality from requiring (i) setbacks for the ADU that are greater than the setback required for the primary dwelling or the setback required for accessory structures on the residential lot, whichever is less; (ii) conditions for ADUs that are more restrictive than those for single-family dwellings within the same zoning area with regard to height, rear, or side setbacks, lot size or coverage, or building frontage; or (iii) consanguinity or affinity between the occupants of the ADU and the primary dwelling. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kannan Srinivasan | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 32 |
| Saddam Salim | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 37 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Approved by Governor-Chapter 895 (effective 7/1/2026)
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
- Signed by President
- Signed by Speaker
- Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB531ER)
- Enrolled
- Passed House (62-Y 37-N 0-A)
- Read third time
- Read second time
- Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (13-Y 8-N)
- Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #3
Showing 12 most recent of 28 actions. Full history