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SB 116

Zoning; special exceptions for City of Portsmouth.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Louise Lucas

Virginia Senate unanimously approved SB 116 allowing Portsmouth special zoning exceptions for unspecified purposes, advancing to committee review.

Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
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Bill Summary · SB 116

Legislative bill overview

SB 116 grants the City of Portsmouth special zoning exceptions that allow it to deviate from standard Virginia zoning regulations for specific purposes. The bill has already passed the Virginia Senate with unanimous support (40-0) and is now in committee review. The specific exceptions and their scope are not detailed in the available action history.

Why is this important

Zoning exceptions significantly affect local land use, development potential, and property values within Portsmouth. Such carve-outs can expedite development projects, address local housing or economic needs, or resolve specific land-use conflicts, but they can also bypass standard procedural safeguards designed to protect neighboring properties and community planning.

Potential points of contention

  • Lack of transparency on scope: Without knowing which specific zoning restrictions are being waived, it's unclear whether this grants narrow relief for a particular project or broad discretionary power that could affect multiple future developments
  • Local versus state authority: The bill raises questions about whether Portsmouth should have blanket exceptions versus seeking approval on a case-by-case basis through established variance procedures
  • Precedent for other localities: Other Virginia cities may lobby for similar blanket exemptions, potentially fragmenting statewide zoning standards

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

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