ADU rules in Norfolk, VA — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Norfolk allows Accessory Dwelling Units in most residential zones under the 2018 zoning ordinance rewrite. ADUs up to 900 square feet allowed with owner occupancy, off-street parking, and building permit. No rental cap.
Norfolk was an early Virginia adopter of ADU-friendly zoning, amending the code in 2018 to allow ADUs (accessory dwelling units) by right in R-1 through R-MF residential zones. ADUs may be detached (backyard cottage), attached (addition), or internal (basement/attic conversion). Maximum size is 900 square feet or 50 percent of the primary dwelling floor area, whichever is less. One off-street parking space is required. The owner must occupy either the primary dwelling or the ADU as their principal residence; pure investor ADUs are not allowed. Short-term rental of an ADU requires separate STR registration under Chapter 16 of the zoning code. Building permits through the Department of City Planning and Codes Administration are mandatory for construction, with full Virginia USBC compliance required (egress, smoke alarms, kitchen/bath plumbing). ADUs in historic districts require Architectural Review Board approval.
Unpermitted ADU construction: stop-work order, civil penalty up to 1,000 dollars, and required removal or full permitting. Violation of owner-occupancy rule can result in loss of ADU certificate.
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See how Norfolk's adu rules rules stack up against other locations.
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