Build Your ADU in the City of Falls Church, VA
Makara ADU designs, permits and builds accessory dwelling units to the City of Falls Church’s rules, and builds nothing else.
- ADU max size
- Up to 1,000 sq ft · 700 sq ft where the house is under 1,400 sq ft
- Minimum lot size
- No minimum
- Owner occupancy
- Required
- Off-street parking
- No additional parking required
- Allowed by
- Right, in permitted zones
- Rules current as of
- 2026-01-01
- Licensed & Insured in Virginia (Class A 2705184565)
- City of Falls Church ADU Specialists
- Full-Service: Design → Permits → Build
- Free Property Eligibility Assessment
Can you build an ADU in the City of Falls Church, VA?
City of Falls Church ADU Guidelines
The rules that decide whether, and what, you can build. The table below carries the specifics.
Max Up to 1,000 Sq Ft
Where the house is 1,400 sq ft or more, the unit may not exceed 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the house gross floor area, whichever is less. Where the house is less than 1,400 sq ft, the ADU can be up to 700 sq ft
Permitted by right
Permitted in R-1A, R-1B. No minimum lot size.
Where the unit can sit
The ADU must not be in the front yard. It may be set back 8 ft from the rear and side lot lines if the ADU is 15 ft or less in height; if taller, the setback is 10 ft. The ADU must be at least 5 ft from the primary house
Off-street spaces
No additional parking required
Owner must live on site
Occupancy limited to four people
Governing ordinance
City of Falls Church Zoning Ordinance § 48-1222
Check Your Address
Run our free eligibility check and get the City of Falls Church’s rules applied to your exact lot in about a minute.
Check my property →| Requirement | City of Falls Church standard |
|---|---|
| Allowed by | Right, in permitted zones |
| Minimum lot size | No minimum |
| Permitted zones | R-1A, R-1B |
| Maximum size | Where the house is 1,400 sq ft or more, the unit may not exceed 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the house gross floor area, whichever is less. Where the house is less than 1,400 sq ft, the ADU can be up to 700 sq ft |
| Setbacks | The ADU must not be in the front yard. It may be set back 8 ft from the rear and side lot lines if the ADU is 15 ft or less in height; if taller, the setback is 10 ft. The ADU must be at least 5 ft from the primary house |
| Parking | No additional parking required |
| Eligible homes | Detached single-family houses only — not townhouses, condominiums or apartments |
| Owner occupancy | Required |
| Who may live there | Occupancy limited to four people |
| Ordinance | City of Falls Church Zoning Ordinance § 48-1222 |
| Rules current as of | 2026-01-01 |
The City of Falls Church ADU Permit Process
Makara ADU handles this entire process from design to move-in, full turn-key.
- 01
Confirm the Zoning
Confirm the property is in R-1A or R-1B and calculate the size limit from the house's gross floor area. Makara ADU does this free with our property eligibility checker.
- 02
Design & Drawings
Architectural and structural plans to the city's residential code, meeting the setback, height, size and coverage requirements of §48-1222.
- 03
Building Permit (City)
File the building permit with the City of Falls Church; approval is administrative, with no hearing. Makara ADU handles this for its clients.
- 04
Build
Construction proceeds with city inspections along the way.
- 05
Final Inspection & Occupancy
The city's final inspection and certificate of occupancy for the unit, then keys in hand, ready to occupy or rent.
City of Falls Church’s ADU Specialists
We don't build everything. We build ADUs. Based in Gaithersburg, we work with local permitting offices every week and know how each jurisdiction's rules shape what can be built.
Local Rules, Known Cold
Every jurisdiction we serve has its own size limits, setbacks, parking and occupancy rules. We track them, and the eligibility checker on this page runs on that same data.
One Contractor, Start to Finish
Architecture, engineering, permits, foundation, framing, MEP, sprinklers, finishes, and the rental license — Makara ADU manages everything under one contract. No coordinating separate architects, engineers, and builders.
Fixed-Price Proposals
We quote your project in full before a shovel goes in the ground. No surprise change orders mid-construction — we plan for lot coverage, stormwater, and utility connections up front.
Built for Aging in Place & Family
Most of our City of Falls Church clients build to keep aging parents or adult children close. We design single-floor, accessible units that work beautifully today and adapt gracefully over time.
ADU Types We Build in the City of Falls Church
Most jurisdictions allow more than one ADU configuration. We help you choose the right one for your lot, your zone and your goals.
Detached Backyard Cottage
A fully independent structure in your backyard with its own entrance, kitchen and bath. The most flexible option, and the one most people picture. Size and placement follow the rules in the table above.
Attached Second Home
Add an attached ADU with its own separate entrance, kitchen, and bath. Makara ADU will collaborate with you to design the space to be functional to meet your needs while creating an aesthetically pleasing space that will add value to your life, family and your home.
Basement and Garage Conversions
Convert an existing garage or basement into a legal, licensed ADU — the most cost-effective path to added living space, and often faster to permit than new construction.
ADUs We’ve Built Recently
A sample of ADUs we’ve built across Northern Virginia.
City of Falls Church ADU FAQ
Is there a minimum lot size for an ADU in Falls Church?
The accessory dwelling standards do not set a separate minimum lot size. What limits the unit is the size formula against the house and the district's coverage and setback rules.
How big can an accessory dwelling be in Falls Church?
Where the house is 1,400 square feet or more, no more than 1,000 square feet or 50% of the house's gross floor area, whichever is less.
Can I rent out an accessory dwelling in Falls Church?
The standards limit occupancy to four people. Confirm any owner-occupancy or leasing conditions with the city when you apply.
Do I need a public hearing?
No. Accessory dwellings meeting the standards are approved through an administrative building permit and certificate of occupancy.
Are detached units allowed?
Yes. Falls Church permits detached accessory dwellings as well as interior and attached ones.
Do Fairfax County's rules apply?
No. The City of Falls Church is independent from Fairfax County and sets its own zoning.
Is Your City of Falls Church Property Eligible for an ADU?
Use our free eligibility checker to find out in about a minute, and get a personalized report sent to your inbox.