Norfolk does not charge general residential impact fees on ADUs because Virginia state law tightly limits municipal impact-fee authority. Costs are limited to Codes Administration building permit fees, Department of Utilities water and sewer connection fees, and Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) Facility Charges. Cash proffers apply only in connection with rezoning, not as-of-right ADU permits.
Virginia is among the most restrictive states for municipal impact fees. Va. Code §15.2-2317 through §15.2-2329 (Road Impact Fees Act) authorizes road impact fees only for designated high-growth localities meeting specific population and density criteria — Norfolk does not impose road impact fees on ADUs. Va. Code §15.2-2298 through §15.2-2303.4 (Cash Proffer System) authorizes cash proffers only in connection with rezoning, not on as-of-right ADU additions. Project costs for a Norfolk ADU are typically: (1) Codes Administration building permit fees per the City Fee Schedule (scaled to construction valuation, typically $0.50-1.00 per square foot for residential); (2) zoning permit and plan review fees; (3) Department of Utilities water and sewer connection fees only if a new connection or meter is installed — shared utilities with the principal dwelling avoid these charges; (4) Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) Facility Charges (HRSD is the regional wastewater utility for Hampton Roads); ADUs typically charged at 0.5 ERU at approximately $4,200 per ERU (2024 rates), payable at building permit; (5) stormwater fees if new impervious surface exceeds thresholds under Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act regulations. Property taxes are reassessed by the City Assessor.
Building without permits to avoid fees: stop-work orders from Codes Administration, double permit fees on after-the-fact applications, and possible mandatory exposure of concealed work. Unpaid HRSD Facility Charges block service connection and can result in liens. Stormwater violations under Chesapeake Bay Act can carry substantial DEQ civil penalties.
Norfolk, VA
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Norfolk, VA
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Norfolk, VA
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Norfolk, VA
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See how Norfolk's adu impact fees rules stack up against other locations.
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