ADU rules in Chesterfield County, VA — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Chesterfield does not allow a separate accessory dwelling by right. Using an accessory building as a dwelling generally requires a Conditional Use Permit approved by the Board of Supervisors. Accessory buildings themselves may not exceed the primary dwelling's square footage. Virginia has no statewide by-right ADU mandate.
Under the county Zoning Ordinance an accessory building's gross floor area may not exceed that of the primary dwelling (Sec. 19.1-304.A.1), and its height cannot exceed half the principal building's height or 25 feet. Establishing a true second or accessory dwelling unit (in-law suite) is not permitted by right; owners must obtain a Conditional Use Permit, which the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors review at public hearing, a process taking several months. The county provides an Accessory Dwelling Unit worksheet for these applications. Any ADU must also meet the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and district setbacks. Confirm current standards with Chesterfield Planning before building.
Occupying an unpermitted second dwelling, or building an ADU without the required Conditional Use Permit and building permits, is a zoning violation subject to enforcement, stop-work orders and civil penalties.
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