SB454Introduced in the Senate
Zoning; by-right multifamily residential development.
Introduced by Schuyler VanValkenburg, District 16
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Zoning; by-right multifamily development. Requires local zoning ordinances to permit, on any parcel with an existing tree canopy coverage of at less than 60 percent, located within a city or town having a population of more than 20,000 or within a designated metropolitan planning area, multifamily and mixed-use residential development as a by-right use on at least 75 percent of all land contained in commercial or business zoning district classifications, including any land contained in commercial or business zoning district classifications that allow for the by-right development and construction of single-family residential uses. The bill stipulates that any application for a proposed development authorized pursuant to the bill shall be reviewed and acted upon administratively by a locality. The bill prohibits a locality from (i) requiring that a special exception, special use, or conditional use permit be obtained for such development or (ii) imposing more stringent land use requirements, enumerated in the bill, for such development than would otherwise be required. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027.
Where it stands
Left in Counties, Cities and Towns
March 10, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
1 recorded vote · each counted separately
Senate votes
5 recorded votes · each counted separately
House of DelegatesStage: Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (11-Y 10-N) · February 27, 2026
11
Yes
10
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
21 delegates recorded in this House of Delegates vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
What do people think?
Citizen Voice
How would you vote on this bill?
An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.
One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.
See how each delegate voted
| Delegate | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Karen Keys-Gamarra | 7 | Yes |
| Irene Shin | 8 | No |
| Dan Helmer | 10 | Yes |
| Laura Jane Cohen | 15 | Yes |
| Garrett McGuire | 17 | No |
| Margaret Franklin | 23 | No |
| Briana Sewell | 25 | No |
| Marty Martinez | 29 | No |
| Ellen McLaughlin | 36 | Yes |
| Joseph McNamara | 40 | No |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102035D
Referred to Committee on Local Government
Fiscal Impact statement From CLG (1/22/2026 12:59 pm)
Senate committee offered
Reported from Local Government with substitute (8-Y 4-N 3-A)
Committee substitute printed 26106475D-S1
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
Passed by for the day
Read second time
Local Government Substitute agreed to
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)
Engrossment reconsidered by Senate
Floor offered Senator VanValkenburg Amendments
Reading of amendments waived (Voice Vote)
Senator VanValkenburg Amendments agreed to
Engrossed by Senate as amended (Voice Vote)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 3rd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
Placed on Calendar
Read first time
Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
House committee offered
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (11-Y 10-N)
Committee substitute printed 26108775D-H1
Read second time
Floor substitute printed 26109131D-H2 (Helmer)
Floor offered Delegate Helmer Substitute
Passed by for the day
Reconsideration of passed by for the day
Motion to rerefer to Counties, Cities and Towns agreed to
Rereferred to Counties, Cities and Towns
Left in Counties, Cities and Towns
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