Accessory Dwelling Units
Summary
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have been under active consideration in the City of Fairfax since at least mid-2024, progressing from early work sessions through community engagement to a final zoning ordinance amendment. ADUs (attached) were first permitted in 2003 as a special use, became a permitted use by right in 2016, and had occupancy restrictions (limited to seniors or disabled persons) removed by City Council the year prior to the 2026 amendments. The central policy question has been whether to expand ADU allowances to include detached units. Following multiple work sessions in 2024 and 2025, a community meeting in November 2024, and a May 2026 City Council work session directing staff to prepare additional analysis and move toward a public hearing, the Planning Commission voted 6-0 on June 8, 2026 to initiate zoning ordinance amendments and schedule a public hearing for June 22, 2026. The Planning Commission subsequently recommended approval. On July 28, 2026, City Council approved an ordinance amending Chapter 110 (Zoning) to permit detached ADUs by a 4-2 vote (Hall and McQuillen opposed), with key standards including setbacks mirroring the city's existing affordable dwelling unit ordinance provisions. The comprehensive plan had previously recommended exploring expanded ADU allowances while ensuring no negative impact on surrounding neighborhoods.
What members have said
Chair Feather attended an ADU public meeting (noted at the November 25, 2024 Planning Commission meeting) and later noted that ADUs were among topics discussed during a November 2025 lunch with the Fairfax County Planning Commission Chair. He voted yes on the June 8, 2026 motion to initiate zoning amendments and schedule a public hearing.
Councilmember Hall voted no on the July 28, 2026 ordinance approving detached ADUs. In recorded comments at that meeting, Hall engaged in detailed questioning about setback standards — specifically the distinction between the 8-foot setback in the affordable dwelling unit ordinance versus the 10-foot standard — and indicated she had been conducting additional research during the presentation. Hall also indicated a preference for a special permit process (individual public hearings per case) rather than a by-right approach, suggesting that if only roughly 50 detached ADUs were expected over 10 years, a 'check the box, special permit' requirement would be appropriate.
Councilmember McQuillen voted no on the July 28, 2026 ordinance approving detached ADUs. No specific recorded comments from McQuillen are present in the transcript excerpts beyond the vote.
Commissioner Rice voted yes on the June 8, 2026 motion to initiate ADU zoning amendments. He also announced GIS Day at George Mason University at the November 10, 2025 meeting, at which ADUs were peripherally discussed.
Commissioner Cunningham voted yes on the June 8, 2026 motion to initiate ADU zoning amendments and schedule a public hearing.
Commissioner Lockhart voted yes on the June 8, 2026 motion to initiate ADU zoning amendments and schedule a public hearing.
Commissioner McCarthy voted yes on the June 8, 2026 motion to initiate ADU zoning amendments and schedule a public hearing.
Commissioner Tricarichi voted yes on the June 8, 2026 motion to initiate ADU zoning amendments and schedule a public hearing.
Councilmember Amos voted yes on the July 28, 2026 ordinance approving detached ADU zoning amendments.
Councilmember Bates voted yes on the July 28, 2026 ordinance approving detached ADU zoning amendments.
Councilmember Hardy-Chandler voted yes on the July 28, 2026 ordinance approving detached ADU zoning amendments.
Councilmember Peterson voted yes on the July 28, 2026 ordinance approving detached ADU zoning amendments.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
Minutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting.
Full history
[8a] The Commission discussed potential zoning options for accessory dwelling units during the work session; no formal action was taken.
[13c] Zoning regulations for Accessory Dwelling Units were discussed during the work session; no formal action was taken.
[10] City Council held a work session on Accessory Dwelling Units, as reported by staff.
[10] Local authority to regulate Accessory Dwelling Units was discussed at the November 12, 2024 City Council meeting as part of the Legislative Agenda; Chair Feather noted he attended an Accessory Dwelling Unit public meeting.
[10] Staff reported that a community meeting regarding Accessory Dwelling Units was held on November 21, 2024.
[1d] Potential zoning options for Accessory Dwelling Units were discussed at this work session. No formal action was taken.
[10] A City Council work session on Accessory Dwelling Units was scheduled for October 28, 2025.
[10] Chair Feather noted accessory dwelling units were among topics discussed during a recent lunch with the Fairfax County Planning Commission Chair.
[10] A City Council work session on accessory dwelling units was reported as scheduled for May 12, 2026.
[11a] Council discussed proposed standards for detached ADUs including setbacks, height, size, parking, and nonconforming structures, and gave consensus to move toward a public hearing.
[5a] Amendments to the zoning ordinance related to accessory dwelling units were initiated by the Planning Commission; a public hearing is scheduled for June 22, 2026. [10] Staff noted that City Council held a work session on accessory dwelling units on May 12, 2026, and that a public hearing on ADU zoning ordinance amendments is scheduled for an upcoming Planning Commission meeting.
passedMotion to initiate amendments to Chapter 110 of the Code of the City of Fairfax, Virginia, related to accessory dwelling units, and to schedule a public hearing.✓ Feather✓ Cunningham✓ Lockhart✓ McCarthy✓ Rice✓ Tricarichi[8a] Zoning code amendments related to Detached Accessory Dwelling Units were approved 4-2 at this meeting, affecting ADU provisions in Chapter 110.
passedApproval of an ordinance amending Chapter 110 (Zoning), including introductory provisions, zoning districts and regulations, and definitions, relating to Detached Accessory Dwelling Units.✕ Hall✕ McQuillen✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ Peterson
Discussed alongside
Topics that come up in the same meetings.