CORELOT Homes

Accessory dwelling units

Your lot may already hold a second home.

Virginia now lets homeowners build accessory dwelling units by right on single-family lots. A backyard cottage, garage apartment or in-law suite can house family, bring in rental income or add lasting value — on land you already own. CORELOT checks what your lot allows, designs the unit and builds it.

Tell us about your property
A completed CORELOT home in Virginia
By righton single-family lots under SB 531
July 1, 2027statewide effective date
Since 2009building in the region

Why an ADU now

A home you can afford to add, on land you already own.

With land and new-home prices out of reach for many families, an ADU uses the lot you have. The new state law removes the special-permit hearing where it applies, caps the locality's ADU permit fee, keeps setbacks no stricter than for the main house, and drops family-only occupancy rules.

Family close by

A private, independent home for parents, adult children or a caregiver — steps away, not miles.

Rental income

A long-term rental unit that can help carry the mortgage on the main house.

Property value

A second legal dwelling on the same parcel adds living space and future flexibility.

Your own downsize

Move into the smaller unit and rent or hand down the main house.

What we check on your lot

The facts that decide whether — and where — an ADU fits.

Zoning and local rules

Your district, whether your locality follows SB 531 or its own ordinance, size limits and separation from the main house.

Septic and water

Outside public sewer, septic capacity is usually the deciding factor. Health-department approval is required before an ADU is permitted.

Setbacks and coverage

Where a detached unit can sit, how much of the yard accessory structures can cover, and limits tied to the main house's size.

Site and utilities

Access, slope, drainage, power and water service — the site work that drives total cost.

A clear first path

How an ADU project starts

  1. 1

    Send your address

    Tell us the property and what you want the unit for — family, rental or both.

  2. 2

    Lot review

    We check zoning, septic or sewer, setbacks and site conditions for your parcel.

  3. 3

    Unit and budget

    We match an ADU type and size to the lot and build a site-specific budget, including site work.

  4. 4

    Permit and build

    Design, permits and construction handled by one Virginia Class A builder.

Direct answers

Common ADU questions

Can I build an ADU on my property in Virginia?

In most single-family neighborhoods, increasingly yes. Virginia Senate Bill 531, signed in April 2026, requires localities to allow accessory dwelling units by right on single-family lots starting July 1, 2027. Localities that already had a qualifying ADU ordinance in place by January 1, 2026 may keep their own rules, so what applies to your lot depends on your county or city. Spotsylvania County already allows accessory dwellings with standards. We check the rules for your specific parcel.

Can I rent my ADU to someone who is not family?

Under SB 531, localities covered by the law cannot require the occupant to be related to you. Local rules in exempt localities may differ, which is part of what we review for your lot.

What decides whether my lot can take an ADU?

Zoning and setbacks, lot coverage and accessory-structure limits, and — outside public sewer — septic capacity. Where there is no public water or sewer, the Virginia Department of Health must approve the well and septic before an ADU is permitted. Access, slope, drainage and utility service also shape where the unit can go and what it costs.

Why start now if the law takes effect in July 2027?

Design, site review, septic evaluation and permitting take months. Owners who start now can have a site-specific plan and budget ready to build as soon as the rules allow — or build sooner where their locality already permits ADUs.

What kinds of ADUs does CORELOT build?

Detached backyard cottages, apartments over a garage, attached additions and conversions of existing space such as basements or garages. The right type depends on your lot, your budget and how the unit will be used.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Local rules vary and change; we confirm what applies to your parcel during the lot review.

Check your lot

Find out what your property allows.

Include the property address or ZIP and what you want the ADU for. We will review the details and respond within one business day.

Prefer to call? 540-785-7500