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Affordable Dwelling Unit (AfDU) Ordinance
The effective date of the amendment to the Ordinance is December 1, 2025
The Affordable Dwelling Unit amendment to the Zoning Ordinance was adopted by the Board of County Supervisors on June 3, 2025.
Approved Ordinances:
- Ord. No. 25-35 Affordable Dwelling Unit Ordinance
- Ord. No. 25-36 Affordable Dwelling Unit Ordinance - Sec. 32-290.07 Establishment of Housing Fund
One component of the Comprehensive Plan is housing. Housing is concerned with where and how people live in a community. It looks to ensure that Prince William County remains a place where all individuals have a broad range of affordable, accessible, and desirable housing choices. The Pathway to 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update included the adoption of a new Housing Plan chapter by the Board of County Supervisors on December 13, 2022 (Res. No. 22-592).
Affordable Housing is one step in achieving the goals set forth in the Plan. The zoning text amendment will incorporate the findings, goals, and policies of the Housing Chapter adopted December 13, 2022.
Implementation Procedures Manual, Housing Fund Policies and Guidelines
Project Documents
Expand all- Task 1: Background Research and Related Documents
Board of County Supervisors Initiation
On July 13, 2021, the Board of County Supervisors initiated with Res. No. 21-424, a zoning text amendment (DPA2022-00003) and County code amendment to create an Affordable Dwelling Unit Ordinance (AfDU). Prince William County is governed by Sections 15.2-2305 and 15.2-2305.1 of the State code enabling legislation for developing an Affordable Dwelling Unit Ordinance.
Review of Affordable Dwelling Unit Ordinances in Peer Communities
To inform the development of an Affordable Dwelling Unit ordinance the County consultant, EPR, researched and reviewed examples of Virginia ordinances for affordable dwelling units within the context of new residential development. The research is provided in the Affordable Dwelling Unit Ordinance Research & Analysis, which provides background data addressing the applicable state legislation, an analysis of policy levers required for developing an ordinance, a peer review of adjacent jurisdictions, and copies of the applicable state codes, and was included on this web page to solicit input and comments from the community. Specifically, staff was seeking feedback regarding recommendations for appropriate policy levers, as identified in the document. This input is critical in developing an affordable dwelling unit ordinance that meets the needs of the community.
In addition to an affordable dwelling unit ordinances, Virginia jurisdictions can use Incentive Zoning to promote affordable housing.
- Task 2: Public Outreach and Community Engagement
Stakeholder and Public Outreach Initiatives
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Virtual stakeholder meeting held on July 28, 2023
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March 5, 2024: Stakeholder Meeting
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March 15, 2024: Stakeholder Meeting
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March 21, 2024: Public Meeting (East County)
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March 28, 2024: Housing Board Work Session
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April 3, 2024: Public Meeting (West County)
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April 4, 2024: Virtual Public Meeting - Virtual Meeting Recorded Link
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April 25, 2024: DCSM/Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee (DORAC)
- Task 3: Ordinance Development
- Task 4: Public Meetings, Work Sessions, and Hearings
Public Meetings, Work Sessions, and Hearings
- March 13, 2024: Planning Commission Work Session: Background on Affordable Housing
- March 21, 2024: Public Meeting: A.J. Ferlazzo Building
- April 4, 2024: Virtual Public Meeting Recorded Link
- April 17, 2024: Planning Commission Work Session - Presentation
- May 30, 2024: "Pencil Down Date" Draft Ordinance
- June 11, 2024: Board of County Supervisors Work Session - Presentation
- June 12, 2024: Planning Commission Public Hearing (Deferred to date uncertain)
- March 12, 2025: Planning Commission Public Hearing
- June 3, 2025: Board of County Supervisors Public Meeting
- March 13, 2024: Planning Commission Work Session: Background on Affordable Housing
- Other Related Documents
Questions or Comments?
- Email: [email protected]
- Submit the Planning Comment Form
All comments are subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, including any personal information.
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