Accessory Structures in Hanover County, VA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Hanover County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Hanover County caps accessory housing units at one per lot in Zoning Ordinance Section 26-280, limiting size to twenty-five percent of the main dwelling's living area, two bedrooms, and requiring two extra off-street parking spaces.
Hanover County Accessory Housing Unit Rules
Some RestrictionsHanover County Code § 26-280(a)
Accessory housing units shall conform to the following standards: (a)Standards applicable to all accessory housing units:1.Only one (1) accessory housing unit shall be permitted on a zoning lot.2.Any external access for the accessory housing unit shall be located in a side or rear yard.3.No accessory housing unit shall comprise more than twenty-five (25) percent of the living area of the main b...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Hanover County requires the property owner to live on-site wherever an accessory housing unit exists, under Zoning Ordinance Section 26-280(a)(6), so absentee owners cannot maintain a detached unit on a rental-only lot.
Hanover County ADU Owner-Occupancy Rule
Significant RestrictionsHanover County Code § 26-280(a)(6)
(a)Standards applicable to all accessory housing units: ... 6.The owner(s) of the property must reside on the property where the accessory housing unit is located.
ADU Rental Restrictions
A detached accessory housing unit in Hanover County outside the Town of Ashland may never be used as a short-term rental without appropriate zoning approvals, under Zoning Ordinance Section 26-280(a)(7).
Hanover County ADU Short-Term Rental Ban
Significant RestrictionsHanover County Code § 26-280(a)(7)
(a)Standards applicable to all accessory housing units: ... 7.At no time may a detached accessory housing unit be used as a short-term rental without appropriate zoning approvals.
Shed & Carport Rules
A shed or other accessory building in Hanover County needs a building permit, cannot be used before the main house is occupied, and in a rear yard is capped at thirty percent of the required rear yard with a five-foot rear and three-foot side setback, in Hanover County outside the Town of Ashland.
Hanover County Accessory Building Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsHanover County Code §§ 26-246, 26-247
Except for buildings accessory to a farm, no accessory building shall be constructed upon a zoning lot for more than six (6) months prior to beginning construction of the main building and no accessory building shall be used for more than six (6) months unless the main building on the zoning lot is also being used or unless the main building is under construction. ... (a)Except as herein provid...
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