Accessory Dwelling Units
Summary
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have been under active discussion by both the Fairfax City Planning Commission and City Council since at least mid-2024. The topic began with a Planning Commission work session in July 2024, followed by a City Council work session in September 2024, a community meeting on November 21, 2024, and discussion of local regulatory authority at the November 12, 2024 City Council meeting as part of the Legislative Agenda. The focus through this period was on potential zoning options for ADUs generally. By spring 2026, the effort had narrowed specifically to detached ADUs: the Planning Commission held a work session in April 2026, City Council held a work session on May 12, 2026, at which staff presented draft Zoning Text Amendments and Council gave consensus to move toward a public hearing while directing additional analysis (impacts on real estate assessments, review of other jurisdictions' regulations, and a count of existing accessory structures). On June 8, 2026, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to initiate amendments to Chapter 110 of the City of Fairfax Zoning Ordinance related to ADUs, enabling a public hearing to be scheduled. Currently, ADUs must be within or attached to the primary home; the proposed amendments would also permit detached ADUs. Key proposed standards include setbacks mirroring the city's existing affordable dwelling provisions (e.g., 20 feet from the rear lot line, vs. 25 feet for general house construction), along with standards for height, square footage, parking, and treatment of nonconforming structures. The Planning Commission public hearing on the proposed zoning text amendments was held on June 22, 2026.
Open questions & options on the table
- What action, if any, did the Planning Commission take following the June 22, 2026 public hearing on the detached ADU zoning text amendments?
- Has City Council scheduled or held a public hearing on the zoning text amendments?
- Has the additional analysis directed by City Council on May 12, 2026 (real estate assessment impacts, review of other jurisdictions' regulations, and count of existing accessory structures) been completed and presented?
- What final standards (setbacks, height, size, parking, nonconforming structures) will be adopted, if any?
Recent updates
[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.
[10] A City Council work session on accessory dwelling units was reported as scheduled for May 12, 2026.
What members have said
Chair Feather attended a public ADU meeting prior to November 25, 2024. He noted at the November 2025 meeting that ADUs were among topics he discussed during a lunch with the Fairfax County Planning Commission Chair. He presided over the June 8 and June 22, 2026 Planning Commission meetings at which the ordinance initiation and public hearing occurred.
Mr. Rice made no recorded comments specifically on the ADU topic; his only recorded remarks at the November 10, 2025 meeting concerned GIS Day at George Mason University.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Full history
- Jul 22, 2024Planning Commission · item 8a
[8a] The Commission discussed potential zoning options for accessory dwelling units during the work session; no formal action was taken.
- Sep 9, 2024Planning Commission · item 10
[10] City Council held a work session on Accessory Dwelling Units, as reported by staff.
- Nov 25, 2024Planning Commission · item 10
[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.
- Dec 9, 2024Planning Commission · item 10
[10] Staff reported that a community meeting regarding Accessory Dwelling Units was held on November 21, 2024.
- Oct 27, 2025Planning Commission · item 10
[10] A City Council work session on Accessory Dwelling Units was scheduled for October 28, 2025.
- Nov 10, 2025Planning Commission · item 10
[10] Chair Feather noted accessory dwelling units were among topics discussed during a recent lunch with the Fairfax County Planning Commission Chair.
- May 11, 2026Planning Commission · item 10
[10] A City Council work session on accessory dwelling units was reported as scheduled for May 12, 2026.
- May 12, 2026City Council · item 11a
[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.