Henrico County, VA Accessory Structures: Garage Conversions (2026)
Garage conversion rules in Henrico County, VA, sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions, govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Key Facts
- Standalone rule
- None; falls under ADU code
- Building permit
- Required (USBC change of use)
- New dwelling unit
- Treated as ADU (Sec. 24-4406)
- Kitchens allowed
- One per accessory unit
- Parking
- Must still be met
Summary
Henrico County has no standalone garage-conversion ordinance, but converting a garage into livable space needs a USBC building permit. If the conversion creates a separate living unit, it must meet the accessory dwelling unit rules in Sec. 24-4406.
An accessory dwelling unit may be within or attached to the principal dwelling (e.g., a downstairs or upstairs apartment) or exist within or as a detached building (e.g., an apartment above a detached garage).
Full Breakdown
Converting a garage into finished living area in Henrico County requires a Uniform Statewide Building Code permit for the change of use, plus compliance with egress, insulation, and electrical standards. The zoning ordinance does not single out garage conversions, but if the new space becomes an independent dwelling with its own kitchen it is treated as an accessory dwelling unit under Sec. 24-4406 (allowed only accessory to a single-family detached home, one per lot, capped at 800 sq ft or 35% of the main house). Converting an attached garage may also reduce required off-street parking, which must still be met. Note the county already recognizes 'an apartment above a detached garage' as a form of ADU.
Violations & Fines
Finishing a garage into living space without a building permit violates the USBC; creating an unpermitted second dwelling violates Chapter 24 zoning. Both are subject to correction orders and fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to convert my garage in Henrico?
Can a garage conversion become a rental apartment?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Henrico County
Compare Henrico County to another location·View the Virginia accessory structures overview
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