Richmond, VA Accessory Structures: ADU Permits (2026)

Richmond's land-use framework is governed by the Code of the City of Richmond Chapter 30 (Zoning) administered by the Department of Planning and Development Review (PDR). The Richmond 300 Master Plan adopted in 2020 calls for a comprehensive zoning rewrite to allow ADUs more broadly across residential districts, increase missing-middle housing, and replace single-family-only districts with two-by-right options — the rewrite is actively underway through 2024-2025. Under the existing Chapter 30, ADUs (called 'accessory dwelling units' in the code) are permitted by-right or by conditional use in many residential districts including R-1 through R-7, R-43, R-48, R-53, R-63, and R-73; check the current zoning of your specific parcel since the rewrite is changing district boundaries. Typical limits under the current code: one ADU per lot; max size ~500-800 sq ft depending on district; setbacks matching the underlying district; height limits at or below the principal dwelling. Permits required: zoning compliance review through PDR; building permit through PDR Building Permits Division under the 2021 Virginia USBC (based on 2018 IRC with Virginia amendments); and trade permits for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing. Filing is through the Richmond Online Permits Portal. Old and Historic Districts (Church Hill, Jackson Ward, Monument Avenue, Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, Manchester, the Fan in part, plus locally designated districts) require Commission of Architectural Review (CAR) approval before zoning permit issuance. Properties along the James River and tributaries fall under the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act Resource Protection Area buffers (100 feet from tidal waters and perennial streams) which restrict ADU placement. FEMA flood zone construction in James River and tributary floodplains requires elevation per the Virginia USBC.