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Bill

SB 781

Zoning; adequate public facilities.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Cherry and 1 co-sponsor

SB 781 modifies Virginia zoning standards for requiring developers to ensure adequate public facilities before project approval, affecting development costs and local infrastructure planning.

Passed by indefinitely in Local Government (8-Y 7-N)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 781

Legislative bill overview

SB 781 modifies Virginia's zoning laws regarding "adequate public facilities" requirements that localities can impose on new development. The bill appears to adjust standards or procedures for how local governments can require developers to demonstrate or fund adequate infrastructure (schools, roads, utilities, etc.) before approving projects. The bill was introduced but did not advance, being indefinitely postponed in committee.

Why is this important

Adequate public facilities (APF) standards significantly affect housing affordability, development timelines, and local infrastructure planning. They can either protect communities from overtaxing existing services or create barriers that increase housing costs and slow growth, depending on how stringently they're applied. This issue directly impacts whether new residential and commercial development can proceed and how costs are distributed between developers and municipalities.

Potential points of contention

  • Developer vs. community burden: Whether developers should bear infrastructure costs or if taxpayers/existing residents should subsidize growth through municipal funding
  • Housing affordability: Stricter APF requirements increase development costs, which typically get passed to homebuyers and renters
  • Local control: Whether state law should constrain local governments' ability to require adequate facilities before approving new development

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

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