Richmond, VA Accessory Structures: ADU Impact Fees (2026)

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 — Richmond 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 Richmond ADU are typically: (1) PDR Building Permits 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 through PDR; (3) Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) water service connection fees if a new connection or meter is installed — shared utilities with the principal dwelling typically avoid these charges; (4) DPU wastewater connection fees (Richmond operates its own combined sewer system rather than being on HRSD); (5) DPU stormwater fees if new impervious surface exceeds Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act thresholds; (6) gas service connection fees through Richmond Gas Works (the municipal gas utility serving the City) when applicable. Property taxes are reassessed by the Richmond City Assessor. Affordable-ADU fee waivers may be added through the Richmond 300 zoning rewrite but were not adopted as of the latest publicly available drafts.