‍

A residential street in Fairfax County, Virginia, has become the center of local controversy after neighbors discovered a three-story addition towering over a 1960s single-story home. The structure is so tall that several residents say it casts a literal shadow over the community. 

The Debate

Neighbors interviewed by Fox 5 said the addition looks nothing like the existing houses and resembles a townhouse or motel attached to the original A-frame home. But others said they had no problem with the structure. 

Because the neighborhood has no HOA, the owners were not required to seek approval from nearby residents.

The homeowners — a multigenerational family — told NBC 4 that the addition will provide more space for children and keep the grandparents out of a nursing home. 

Zoning Issue Pauses Construction

Early comments suggested the project complied with zoning rules. County staff later said the addition meets height requirements, but is too close to the property line, leading the county to pause construction. A new site survey will be taken in the coming weeks. 

Supervisor Pat Herrity, who visited the site personally, said:

“It clearly does not belong in our suburban neighborhoods… We need to fix our zoning ordinance to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

He plans to propose zoning changes at an upcoming Board of Supervisors meeting.

A Growing Trend in Housing

This story is getting a lot of attention because of how unusual the addition looks, but it's a sign of a bigger trend. 

Families are increasingly looking for homes that accommodate multigenerational living. New builds can create tension between property rights and neighborhood aesthetics. 

While some builders are willing to push the limits of zoning laws – this case shows the importance of following rules to the letter, including setback limits. 

While you may not need approval from your neighbors, even permitted projects like this one can be paused by community pushback – leading to delays and potentially higher construction costs.