Fairfax County Workforce Dwelling Unit (WDU) and Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) policies grant density bonuses up to 20 percent to projects providing income-restricted homes under Zoning Ordinance Article 2.
The Affordable Dwelling Unit Ordinance, codified in Zoning Ordinance Article 2-800, requires 12.5 percent ADUs in qualifying garden-apartment and townhouse projects with 50 or more units, and offers a 20 percent density bonus in return. The voluntary Workforce Dwelling Unit policy applies in higher-density Comp Plan areas including Tysons and Reston, requesting 12 percent of units at 60-120 percent of area median income. Density bonuses are negotiated through proffers. Both tools support the Communitywide Housing Strategic Plan's goal of 10,000 net new affordable units by 2034.
Failure to deliver covenanted ADUs or WDUs voids density bonuses, can void building permits, and triggers liquidated damages under recorded covenant agreements.
See how Fairfax County's density bonus law rules stack up against other locations.
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