Politics
Richmond City Council Adopts Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance, Setting Affordable Unit Requirements for New Housing Projects
The measure requires 10 percent of units in qualifying developments to be priced for households earning up to 60 percent of area median income, directly affecting rental availability for working families in central Richmond neighborhoods.
How we reported this
Richmond City Council voted 6-3 on July 7 to approve an inclusionary zoning ordinance that mandates affordable housing units in new residential developments of 20 or more units. The policy applies to projects within designated corridors along Broad Street and Hull Street and takes effect on September 1.
The ordinance follows the release of the city's 2025 Housing Needs Assessment, which documented a shortfall of 3,800 units affordable to low- and moderate-income households. Council members cited sustained population growth in the metro area and rising construction costs as factors prompting the vote at this time.
For Richmond residents, the change means new apartment buildings must reserve a portion of units for tenants earning no more than $42,000 annually for a family of three. A single parent working at a local hospital could qualify for a two-bedroom unit capped at $950 monthly instead of market rates that currently average $1,650 in the same zip codes.
The legislation states that developments must maintain affordability for 30 years and directs the Department of Housing to monitor compliance through annual reporting. City budget documents allocate $850,000 for administrative staffing and legal review in the first two fiscal years.
Local Voices on Administration and Monitoring
Policy analysts at the Richmond Housing Coalition note that similar ordinances in other mid-sized cities have produced between 80 and 150 affordable units per year once fully implemented. Community advocates point to the need for clear enforcement mechanisms to prevent developers from seeking variances that reduce the required set-aside.
City planning staff will begin accepting applications under the new rules in October, with the first completed projects projected to open in 2028. The ordinance includes a review clause requiring council to evaluate outcomes after three years of operation.