Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 717: Transit-oriented housing overlay districts; definitions, ordinances, report, sunset.
Passed one chamber Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 717 is a bill introduced in the Virginia Senate on January 14, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Transit-oriented housing overlay districts; definitions, ordinances, report, sunset. Primary sponsor: Saddam Salim (Democratic). It lists 1 additional sponsor. Most recent recorded action (February 20, 2026): Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote).
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.
Transit-oriented housing overlay districts. Requires certain localities to establish one or more transit-oriented housing overlay districts covering qualifying areas, as defined in the bill, within their boundaries. The bill provides that within such overlay districts, the locality shall permit, by right, a minimum height of six stories and a minimum average density of 30 units per acre within one-quarter of a mile of a major transit stop and allow two units per lot and four units per corner lot between one-quarter of a mile and one mile from a such a stop. The bill further provides that applications for such housing development shall be approved ministerially by the zoning administrator or other designated official and that no public hearing is required for approval. The bill allows certain areas within a locality to be excluded from its provisions and sunsets on September 1, 2030. The bill has a delayed effective date of September 1, 2027.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saddam Salim | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 37 |
| Jennifer Carroll Foy | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 33 |
“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 to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)
- Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
- House subcommittee offered
- Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #2
- Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
- Read first time
- Placed on Calendar
- Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
- Reconsideration of passage agreed to by Senate
- Read third time and passed Senate (20-Y 19-N 0-A)
- Engrossed by Senate as amended (Voice Vote)
- Local Government Amendments agreed to
Showing 12 most recent of 21 actions. Full history