McLean and Great Falls homeowners stand to face fewer hurdles when adding an in-law suite, au pair apartment or basement unit to their property.
Fairfax County is proposing changes to its accessory living unit (ALU) rules that would drop the requirement that property owners live on-site. The shift could open the door to rental income from these spaces. The county would also adjust size limits and streamline approvals, according to Casey Judge, deputy zoning administrator for the county's Department of Planning and Development.
"We do see ALUs as a valuable tool in the affordable housing tool kit," Judge said.
The changes apply countywide, but they carry particular weight in McLean and Great Falls, where large single-family lots make accessory units a practical option for multigenerational living or housing a caregiver.
The county's existing ALU program has seen limited uptake. Roughly 160 units have been approved in four years, by one local estimate.
What would change
Under current rules, a homeowner must live either in the main house or in the accessory unit itself. The proposal would eliminate that requirement entirely, meaning a homeowner could rent out the space or live elsewhere.
The size cap would also shift. Interior or attached ALUs are currently limited to 800 square feet or 40% of the main home's floor area, whichever is less. The proposed rule would raise the ceiling to 1,200 square feet or 40% of the main home's square footage, whichever is less. County officials could approve larger units on a case-by-case basis.
The proposal does not extend ALU eligibility to townhouses. Judge noted that while other Virginia jurisdictions allow units in duplexes and townhouses, Fairfax County is not pursuing that change at this time.
State law adds pressure
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed Senate Bill 531 in April, requiring localities to allow accessory dwelling units by-right in single-family residential zones starting in July of next year. The law also caps permit fees at $500 and removes any requirement that the occupant be related to the homeowner.
Fairfax County's proposal would get ahead of that state deadline.
The Northern Virginia housing market remains tight. The median sold price hit $812,012 in May, up 2.9% year-over-year, with just 1.93 months of supply, according to the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.
Residents can check the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development's zoning amendments page for updates on engagement session dates and public hearing schedules.
