Accessory Structures in Albemarle County, VA (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Albemarle County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
In Albemarle County outside Charlottesville and Scottsville, an accessory apartment must be built inside the main dwelling, not in a detached garage, cannot exceed 35 percent of the structure's gross floor area, and needs three off-street parking spaces under Zoning Ordinance § 5.1.34.
Accessory Apartment Zoning, Albemarle County
Some RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code § 18-5.1.34
Sec. 5.1.34 - Accessory apartment. Each accessory apartment shall be subject to the following: A.An accessory apartment shall be permitted only within the structure of the main dwelling to which it is accessory. Usage of freestanding garage or other accessory structure for an accessory apartment is expressly prohibited. Not more than one accessory apartment shall be permitted within any single-...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Albemarle County requires the property owner to actually live on site: Zoning Ordinance § 5.1.34(H) says the owner must reside either in the main dwelling the apartment is accessory to, or in the accessory apartment itself, outside Charlottesville and Scottsville.
Accessory Apartment Owner-Occupancy Rule
Some RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code § 18-5.1.34(H)
Each accessory apartment shall be subject to the following: ... H.The owner must reside in any dwelling to which the apartment unit is accessory or the apartment unit itself.
Shed & Carport Rules
A shed or detached garage in Albemarle County outside Charlottesville and Scottsville must sit at least five feet off the side lot line and six feet off the side or rear property line in most residential districts under Code of Albemarle § 18-4.11.2, and can't go in the required front yard at all. Community Development charges $0.18 a square foot, minimum $35, to permit it.
Albemarle County Shed and Garage Setbacks
Some RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code §§ 1-501, 18-4.11.2
Building—Residential Accessory Structure (attached garages, detached garages, sheds, decks, and porches 10 sq. ft. or larger) $0.18 per square foot, calculated on gross finished square footage. The minimum fee is $35 ... Sec. 4.11.2 - Accessory structures in required yards. Accessory structures are authorized in required yards as follows: a.Front yards. Accessory structures, including detached ...
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