Falls Church Council adopts accessory-dwelling ordinance with setbacks, reporting and occupancy conditions

The Falls Church City Council voted 7-0 on April 14 to adopt TO24‑17, an amendment to the city zoning code that allows detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in R‑1A, R‑1B and RM districts and updates utility connection rules.

The ordinance, first discussed in public workshops last year, is designed to expand housing choices while adding new limits and post‑adoption monitoring. Council members and staff framed the action as the result of extended outreach: planning workshops, mailed postcards, commission review and multiple council work sessions.

The ordinance allows detached ADUs by right under defined size and siting rules, but council approved several amendments before final passage. The main changes adopted included: a tiered setback standard (8 feet for one‑story ADUs up to 15 feet tall; 10 feet for other detached ADUs, with the Board of Zoning Appeals able to grant a special use permit to reduce setbacks no lower than 5 feet), a reporting requirement (staff will report on ADU applications and approvals every 12 months for the first 36 months), a clarified rear‑yard coverage rule (allowing up to 50% of minimum rear yard area when an ADU is included, otherwise 30%), and an owner‑occupancy requirement tied to the timing of permit issuance (the property owner must maintain the property as…