Planning Commission approves zoning changes to allow manufactured homes under new Virginia law

The Westmoreland County Planning Commission on a majority vote approved a zoning text amendment to align the county ordinance with Virginia Senate Bill 346, which the commission said became effective July 1, 2026.

Tom, planning staff, told the commission the change is intended "to bring the county's zoning ordinance into compliance with Virginia Senate Bill 346, which became effective 07/01/2026." He said under the state law "manufactured homes [must] be allowed in zoning districts where site-built single-family homes are allowed to qualify," and that the homes must be placed on their own lot, converted to real property, and receive a certificate of occupancy within five years of manufacture.

The staff presentation noted the state statute prevents local governments from regulating manufactured homes more restrictively than site-built homes but that the amendment retains the county's usual requirements on setbacks, utilities, road access and Chesapeake Bay protections. "Under this amendment, manufactured homes must still meet the county's normal requirements including setbacks, utilities, road access, Chesapeake Bay requirements, and applicable permits," Tom said.

There were no members of the public present for the hearing. The commission moved from the public-hearing portion directly to a motion to approve the amendment; a roll call vote carried the motion with one commissioner recorded as voting "No." The commission directed that the planning commission forward a recommendation of approval to the Board of Supervisors per the usual process.

The ordinance language referenced the county's table of uses and terminology changes needed to reflect the state law; staff said the amendment's purpose is compliance rather than new policy. The planning commission's approval sends the amendment on to the Board of Supervisors for final action.