Changes to Land Use and Zoning Issues

The Dulles Area Association of Realtors® urges Loudoun County leaders to adopt land use and zoning policies that protect property rights, expand housing opportunities, and balance growth for all. Through proactive collaboration between government, the real estate community, and local stakeholders, Loudoun can continue to lead as a vibrant, inclusive, and economically strong county for decades to come. 

DAAR Recommendations

To achieve a balanced and sustainable approach to land use and zoning, DAAR recommends that Loudoun County:

  • Adopt Zoning Ordinance Updates that Reflect Market Needs
    • Ensure that the ongoing zoning ordinance rewrite aligns with the county’s Comprehensive Plan while allowing flexibility for innovation in land development. 
    • Reevaluate density limits and setbacks to better accommodate attainable housing production. 
  • Prioritize Housing in Comprehensive Plan Implementation
    • Incorporate attainable housing goals into all community and small area plans. 
    • Provide incentives for developers who include affordable and attainable housing or mixed-use projects near employment centers and transportation corridors.
  • Improve Transparency and Efficiency in Development Approvals
    • DAAR supports the current Loudoun County Land Use Legislative Approval and Administrative Review Improvement Recommendations, aka “Team Loudoun,” to modify zoning and permitting rules and regulations to substantially decrease the time it takes to deliver new housing. 
    • Encourage public-private collaboration to expedite high-priority projects that meet community and economic needs. 
  • Advance Regional and Cross-Jurisdictional Planning
    • Collaborate with neighboring jurisdictions, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, and the business community to coordinate growth and infrastructure investments. 

Overview

Loudoun County continues to experience significant growth, balancing its reputation as one of the most prosperous and desirable places to live in Virginia with the challenges that come from rapid development. As population and business expansion continue, land use and zoning policies play a critical role in shaping the county’s economic future, housing availability, and community character. 

DAAR supports balanced, forward-looking land use planning that fosters economic vitality, protects property rights, and ensures that Loudoun remains a place where people of all ages and incomes can live, work, and thrive. DAAR believes that land use decisions should reflect both current market realities and long-term community goals, emphasizing housing affordability, smart growth, infrastructure investment, and streamlined development processes. 

Background

  • Loudoun County Comprehensive Plan: Adopted in 2019, this plan outlines land use policies guiding development through 2040. The implementation phase – especially zoning updates – will determine how effectively the plan’s goals translate into real outcomes. 
  • Zoning Ordinance Rewrite: Currently underway, the rewrite presents a key opportunity to modernize outdated regulations and encourage more responsive, market-driven land use decisions. 
  • Housing Needs Assessment: Recent studies show significant gaps in housing supply, particularly for households earning below 100% of the Area Median Income (AMI), highlighting the need for greater flexibility in zoning and density. 

Additional Information

Our Focus

DAAR’s advocacy on land use and zoning centers on the following priorities:

  • Housing Affordability & Availability
    • Promote zoning flexibility that enable a full range of housing types, including workforce, affordable, and attainable housing
    • Encourage policies that support mixed-use development and infill opportunities to address supply shortages. 
    • Oppose overly restrictive land use regulations that limit housing diversity or drive up costs. 
  • Smart Growth and Infrastructure Alignment
    • Support development policies that align housing and commercial growth with existing and planned infrastructure, including transportation. 
    • Advocate for land use decisions that support sustainable, transit-oriented communities. 
  • Property Rights & Predictable Regulation
    • Protect the rights of property owners and developers through transparent, consistent, and timely zoning and permitting processes. 
    • Encourage the county to streamline development review and approval processes to reduce uncertainty and administrative burden. 
  • Economic Vitality and Balanced Development
    • Promote policies that support commercial and industrial growth alongside residential development to sustain Loudoun’s tax base. 
    • Support adaptive reuse and redevelopment of underutilized properties.