2026 SESSION
HOUSE SUBSTITUTE
26106756D
HOUSE BILL NO. 888
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
on January 30, 2026)
(Patrons Prior to Substitute—Delegates Shin and Simonds [HB 262])
A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-2279 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 22 of Title 15.2 a section numbered 15.2-2209.4, relating to minimum off-street parking requirements in certain areas.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 15.2-2279 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 22 of Title 15.2 a section numbered 15.2-2209.4 as follows:
§ 15.2-2209.4. Minimum off-street parking requirements; designated areas; administrative reductions.
A. As used in this section:
"Designated area" means any parcel that is (i) located within one mile of the entrance to a mass transit or public transportation station or facility; (ii) located within an approved small area plan and designated therein as a revitalization area or other designated district established for the purpose of facilitating residential or mixed-use development; (iii) located within a zoning district classification that permits residential, multifamily, or mixed-use development and authorizes a floor area ratio of 1.0 or greater, either by-right or by special exception, special use permit, conditional use permit, or other discretionary approval; or (iv) subject to an affordable dwelling unit ordinance pursuant to § 15.2-2304, 15.2-2305, or 15.2-2305.1.
"Mass transit or public transportation" means passenger transportation by rubber-tired, rail, or other surface conveyance providing shared-ride service to the general public on a regular and continuing basis. "Mass transit or public transportation" does not include school buses, charter or sight-seeing services, a vehicular ferry service that serves as a link in the highway network, or a human service agency or other client-restricted transportation.
B. Any locality that has adopted a zoning ordinance pursuant to this chapter shall not require, as a condition of zoning approval, minimum off-street parking for residential, multifamily, or mixed-use development located within a designated area in amounts exceeding the following:
1. One-half of one parking space per dwelling unit for multifamily or mixed-use residential development; and
2. One parking space per dwelling unit for one-family and two-family dwellings and townhouses.
C. No locality shall adopt or enforce any provision of a zoning ordinance that imposes minimum off-street parking requirements for residential, multifamily, or mixed-use development located within a designated area in excess of the limitations set forth in subsection B.
D. Any locality with a population greater than 20,000 shall, by ordinance, provide for administrative reduction of minimum off-street parking requirements of not less than 20 percent for residential, multifamily, or mixed-use development proposed on parcels not located within a designated area. The ordinance shall include criteria to determine eligibility for, and prescribe procedures for the submission and review of, the administrative reduction authorized by this subsection.
§ 15.2-2279. Ordinances regulating the building of houses and establishing setback lines.
Any locality may by ordinance regulate the building of houses in the locality including the adoption of off-street parking requirements, minimum setbacks and side yards and the establishment of minimum lot sizes.
Any locality may by ordinance require that no building be constructed within thirty-five feet of any street or roadway and may provide for exceptions to such requirement whenever a large portion of existing buildings along a section of street or roadway is within thirty-five feet of such street or roadway. The provisions of such an ordinance shall not apply within the limits of any town which has enacted a zoning ordinance or has adopted an ordinance establishing minimum setbacks.