Newport News, VA Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)
ADU rules in Newport News, VA, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Key Facts
- Max ADU size
- lesser of first floor or 800 sq ft
- Max height
- same as principal, ≤1.5 stories
- Min lot size
- 5,000 square feet
- ADUs per lot
- one maximum
- Occupancy rule
- owner must live on-site
Summary
Newport News caps accessory dwelling units at 800 square feet, one per lot, under Zoning Code § 45-518.1, requiring the owner to occupy the main house or the ADU as a primary residence.
(1)The property owner must occupy either the principal dwelling or the accessory dwelling unit as their primary residence.(2)An accessory dwelling unit shall be located either (a) in a building that is accessory to, and is located on the same lot as a single-family detached dwelling; or (b) attached to the side or rear of the principal structure with a separate entrance.(3)An exterior entrance to an accessory dwelling unit that is located within the principal dwelling shall be permitted only on the side or rear of the principal dwelling.(4)Only one (1) accessory dwelling unit shall be permitted on any one (1) lot.(5)The maximum size of an accessory dwelling unit shall be the lesser of either the floor area of the first floor of the principal structure or eight hundred (800) square feet.(6)The maximum height of an accessory dwelling unit shall be the height of the principal structure, not to exceed one and one-half (1½) stories.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 81).
Full Breakdown
Section 45-518.1 sets the standards every accessory dwelling unit must meet: the property owner must live in either the principal house or the ADU as a primary residence, only one ADU is allowed per lot, and the unit tops out at the smaller of 800 square feet or the first floor's footprint. Height cannot exceed the principal structure and is capped at one and one-half stories. Lots need at least 5,000 square feet, the ADU can cover no more than 30 percent of the required rear yard, and it must match the main house's architectural style and materials, with the same side setback as the principal building and a 10-foot rear setback.
Violations & Fines
Enforcement runs through the zoning administrator. An ADU built oversized, without owner-occupancy, or lacking the required setbacks is a zoning violation subject to a notice to correct and the City's standard zoning enforcement remedies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can an ADU be in Newport News?
Does the ADU have to match my house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newport News
How Newport News compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·Compare Newport News to another location·View the Virginia accessory structures overview
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