Detached Accessory Dwelling Unitsapproved

Detached Accessory Dwelling UnitsAccessory dwelling unitA second, smaller home on a single-family lot: a basement apartment, a garage conversion, or a backyard cottage. (ADUs) are a housing type that the City of Fairfax's comprehensive planComprehensive planThe city's long-range vision for land use, transportation, housing, and parks. Rezonings are judged partly on whether they fit it. had already flagged as worth exploring, with the caveat that any expansion should not negatively impact surrounding neighborhoods.

The policy process began with work sessionsWork sessionA meeting for discussion and briefing only. No formal votes are taken, but positions get set here. at both the Planning CommissionPlanning CommissionThe appointed body that reviews land-use applications and plans first and sends a recommendation to City Council, which makes the final decision. (October 2025) and City Council (October 2025), where Planner Eric Forman presented potential policy options. A second round of work sessions followed in spring 2026: the Planning Commission met in April 2026 to discuss potential zoningZoningThe city rules that say what can be built where: uses, height, density, setbacks, and parking, by district. text amendmentsText amendmentA change to the words of the zoning ordinance itself, citywide, rather than to one property's district., and City Council reviewed draft amendments in May 2026, directing staff to prepare additional analysis on real estate assessment impacts, a review of other jurisdictions' regulations, and a count of existing accessory structures, while also giving consensus to proceed toward a public hearingPublic hearingThe formal, legally advertised part of a meeting where anyone can speak on an item before the body votes.. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on June 22, 2026, and recommended approval of the proposed zoning text amendments.

City Council held its own public hearingPublic hearingThe formal, legally advertised part of a meeting where anyone can speak on an item before the body votes. and took final action on July 28, 2026, approving an ordinanceOrdinanceA local law. Ordinances amend the city code and need a public hearing and two readings. amending Chapter 110 (ZoningZoningThe city rules that say what can be built where: uses, height, density, setbacks, and parking, by district.) of the City of Fairfax Code to permit detached ADUsAccessory dwelling unitA second, smaller home on a single-family lot: a basement apartment, a garage conversion, or a backyard cottage. by a 4-2 vote, with Councilmembers Hall and McQuillen opposed and Councilmembers Amos, Bates, Hardy-Chandler, and Peterson in favor.