ADU & Backyard Home Builder in Arlington County
Arlington already permits accessory dwellings through an administrative Accessory Dwelling permit — effectively by-right, with no special-exception hearing — and has allowed new detached units since 2019. Size is generally up to about 750 sq ft or 35% of combined floor area. Owner-occupancy is currently required. SB 531 makes ADUs by-right statewide on July 1, 2027, and its removal of occupancy restrictions will require Arlington to revisit that owner-occupancy rule.
What this means for your Arlington lot
Arlington is one of the most ADU-ready jurisdictions in Virginia, so most single-family lots can already pursue a detached backyard unit administratively. The main variables are the size cap (tied to your main home) and today's owner-occupancy requirement, which SB 531 is expected to loosen. Detached footprint and height limits apply.
How we build backyard homes in Arlington County
Start with a free Quick-Fit Check. If your lot is a candidate, our Readiness Assessment maps your path, then we design, permit, and build — one accountable team. A Hearthstone Design Build brand.
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See also: all Virginia counties · ADU cost · financing
See what your Arlington County lot can do.
Free Quick-Fit Check — two minutes.