In 2023, it became legal for property owners to erect Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on single-family lots. Under current law, ADUs must be no larger than 500 square feet, or 1/3 the size of the primary structure (or existing single-family home).

In 2026, over the course of a weekend, developers erected these ADUs on back-to-back lots on Marian Street and Stokes Lane. These new constructions dominate green space, transform the experience of living next door, and raise concerns that modest homes and yards historically owned by community members may be converted into congested, multi-unit complexes owned by private investors.

In recent Draft 3 Code Refresh presentations, the City has proposed increasing the maximum ADU size to 1,200 square feet and removing the 1/3 restriction, which would allow ADUs in Westwood to even further dominate historic single-family homes and yards. By doing this, Code Refresh may put purchasing a “starter” home further out of reach for many first-time homebuyers, as purchasing some of Richmond’s most affordable units could require purchasing an accompanying ADU.