Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia HB4: An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 36 a chapter numbered 13, consisting of sections numbered 36-176 through 36-180, relating to preservation of affordable housing; definitions; civil penalty.
Status: Chaptered, April 8, 2026
Preservation of affordable housing; definitions; civil penalty. Creates a framework for localities to preserve affordable housing by exercising a right of first refusal on publicly supported housing, defined in the bill. The bill authorizes localities to adopt an ordinance that requires an owner to accept a right of first refusal offer by the locality or qualified designee, defined in the bill, in order to preserve affordable housing for at least 15 years. The bill requires that any locality with a population greater than 3,500 adopting such an ordinance to preserve affordable housing submit an annual report to the Department of Housing and Community Development pursuant to existing law.
What the bill says
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 36 a chapter numbered 13, consisting of sections numbered 36-176 through 36-180, relating to preservation of affordable housing; definitions; civil penalty. [H 4] Approved April 8, 2026 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 36 a chapter numbered 13, consisting of sections numbered 36-176 through 36-180, as follows: CHAPTER 13. PRESERVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. § 36-176. Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning: "Affiliate" means the same as that term is defined in § 13.1-.
From the enrolled text, April 8, 2026:
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 36 a chapter numbered 13, consisting of sections numbered 36-176 through 36-180, relating to preservation of affordable housing; definitions; civil penalty. [H 4] Approved April 8, 2026 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 36 a chapter numbered 13, consisting of sections numbered 36-176 through 36-180, as follows: CHAPTER 13. PRESERVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. § 36-176. Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning: "Affiliate" means the same as that term is defined in § 13.1-725. "Affordability restriction" means a limit on the amount of rent that an owner may charge at publicly supported housing as set forth in a contract. "Bona fide offer to purchase" means a signed purchase agreement made in good faith. "Day" means calendar day unless clearly specified as business day. "Locality" means the same as that term is defined in § 15.2-102. "Owner" means a person, firm, partnership, corporation, trust, organization, limited liability company, or other entity, or its successors or assigns, that holds title to publicly supported housing. "Publicly supported housing" means any building, structure, or combination of related buildings and structures operated as a single entity that a landlord provides for a consideration (i) consisting of 10 or more rental dwelling …