Local Permitting Guide
Building an Accessory Living Unit in the Town of Vienna
⚠ Important Notice
This page summarizes publicly available government information for general educational purposes only. HomeSprout LLC did not create this information, does not guarantee its accuracy, completeness, or currency, and is not responsible for decisions made based on it. Rules change and vary by property — always verify current requirements directly with the official source below before proceeding with a project.
Official source: Town of Vienna Town Council ALU policy (effective Dec. 30, 2024); Patch.com coverage of the Dec. 2024 Town Council vote
Does This Guide Apply to You?
This guide applies specifically to the Town of Vienna — a separate, incorporated town with its own zoning authority, distinct from surrounding unincorporated Fairfax County. If your address is in Vienna's ZIP codes but you're actually in unincorporated Fairfax County (common near the town's edges), confirm your zoning jurisdiction before using this guide — see our Fairfax County guide if that's you.
Vienna Town Council approved a new Accessory Living Unit (ALU) policy, effective December 30, 2024 — the first time the town has permitted these units. Here's a plain-language summary of what's allowed — for project-specific eligibility, always confirm directly with Vienna's Planning & Zoning Department.
Eligible Zones
ALUs are permitted in zones designated for single-unit detached homes: RS-16, RS-12.5, and RS-10.
What's Required
- The ALU must be attached to the main house — Vienna's current policy does not permit detached ALUs
- Separate living, sleeping, food preparation, and bathroom areas are required
- A permit is required, and the property must meet the town's zoning code guidelines
Vienna is one of relatively few Northern Virginia jurisdictions where ALUs weren't permitted at all until this recent policy change — worth keeping in mind if you're comparing rules across neighboring towns, since Vienna's program is newer and may continue to evolve.
Not sure what applies to your property?
Zoning district and lot specifics affect what's actually buildable. We handle the zoning determination and permitting process as part of our design-build service.
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