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Bill

HJ 48

Sidewalk, etc. improvements; authority granted to cities and towns to require dedication of land.

2026 Regular Session

Virginia bill authorizes cities and towns to require developers dedicate land for sidewalks and pedestrian infrastructure as development condition.

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Bill Summary · HJ 48

Legislative bill overview

HJ 48 would grant Virginia cities and towns the authority to require property developers to dedicate land for sidewalk and related pedestrian infrastructure improvements as a condition of development approval. This represents an expansion of local government powers to mandate land contributions from private developers for public use.

Why is this important

Sidewalk networks are critical for pedestrian safety, accessibility, and community connectivity, particularly in growing areas. This bill directly affects how development occurs in Virginia municipalities by shifting some infrastructure costs from public budgets to private developers, potentially influencing housing costs, development patterns, and whether new neighborhoods include adequate pedestrian infrastructure.

Potential points of contention

  • Property rights vs. public benefit: Developers may view mandatory land dedication as an unfair taking or excessive regulation that reduces developable land and profitability, while advocates argue it ensures livable communities
  • Cost burden allocation: Whether private developers should bear infrastructure costs that historically came from public budgets, and whether this gets passed to homebuyers
  • Scope and fairness: Questions about how much land cities can require, whether standards are consistent, and whether exactions are proportional to a development's actual impact

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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