SB 717 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Transit-oriented housing overlay districts; definitions, ordinances, report, sunset.

Summary
Transit-oriented housing overlay districts. Requires certain localities to establish one or more transit-oriented housing overlay districts covering qualifying areas, as defined in the bill, within their boundaries. The bill provides that within such overlay districts, the locality shall permit, by right, a minimum height of six stories and a minimum average density of 30 units per acre within one-quarter of a mile of a major transit stop and allow two units per lot and four units per corner lot between one-quarter of a mile and one mile from a such a stop. The bill further provides that applications for such housing development shall be approved ministerially by the zoning administrator or other designated official and that no public hearing is required for approval. The bill allows certain areas within a locality to be excluded from its provisions and sunsets on September 1, 2030. The bill has a delayed effective date of September 1, 2027.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Feb 20, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 6 edits · Feb 5, 2026
MODERATE
The bill was amended to significantly change how transit-oriented housing overlay districts work. The most important change is that the distance requirement for qualifying areas was reduced from three miles to one mile of a major transit stop, making it easier for more properties to qualify. The bill also removed a deadline for localities to adopt ordinances and added specific density requirements near transit stops.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded by reducing the distance threshold for qualifying areas from three miles to one mile of a major transit stop, allowing more properties to be included in transit-oriented housing overlay districts.
ELIGIBILITY

Changed the qualifying area distance requirement from three miles to one mile of a major transit stop, expanding the number of properties that can participate in the program.

TIMELINE

Removed the requirement that localities must adopt ordinances by January 1, 2027, giving localities more flexibility in timing.

Changed the expiration date from July 1, 2030 to September 1, 2030.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific density requirements: minimum height of six stories and minimum average density of 30 units per acre within one-quarter mile of a major transit stop.

Changed the density allowance from a flat 10 units per lot to a graduated system based on distance from transit stops.

Added a new provision requiring localities with tree conservation authority to adopt ordinances under a related section.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 3, 2026

How they voted

380
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 39
Feb 3, 2026
D Democratic20
20 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
18 Yea 1
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
21
Key actions
9
Committee
7
Amendments
2
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
House subcommittee offered
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Committee
Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #2
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (20-Y 19-N 0-A)
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Introduced
Engrossed by Senate as amended (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Local Government Amendments agreed to
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Local Government with amendments (8-Y 7-N)
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate committee amendments offered
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Local Government
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced
Presented and ordered printed 26100854D
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors