Renting out your basement legal? Accessory dwellings... (Fairfax, Falls Church: apartment, houses)

[Jenteel1970]

Hi there

I live in the city of falls church. We were thinking about renting out the basement of our house to make ends meet. It is walk out, and semi-independent (fridge, wet bar, full bath). About 700 sq feet all told.

The law looks kind of hazy on this. Accessory dwellings require a special permit, but this wouldn't classify. Two of my neighbors have rented out rooms in their houses. Wondering if this is legal or whether it was something they were just doing while hoping it wouldn't elicit a complaint.

Does anyone have any experience with renting out living space in their homes?

Thanks.

[BOS2IAD]

It might be best to contact the right office in the City of Falls Church government. Maybe, you can ask them to come out and look at your place? That way, they could let you know if your place meets the requirements and if you need a special permit. It's best to always do things by the book.

[OotsaPootsa]

Originally Posted by BOS2IAD

It might be best to contact the right office in the City of Falls Church government. Maybe, you can ask them to come out and look at your place? That way, they could let you know if your place meets the requirements and if you need a special permit. It's best to always do things by the book.

Because if you don't, your neighbors could grass you up to the authorities...

[Zack]

Accessory dwellings typically refer to additional living quarters on the property, e.g. an apartment above a detached garage, which need to meet habitability criteria. Renting out a basement is the same as renting out a bedroom so long as the basement has proper egress for any bedrooms in it.

I believe Fairfax County has a law on how many unrelated persons can reside in a property, which came about from cases of 15-20 unrelated people living in a single home. You should check Falls Church's laws, though it's unlikely 1 or 2 unrelated persons in the home would be illegal.

[finalmove]

Falls Church near Rt 50 has many homes like yours where there are nine people living in a house with seven cars parked in the front yard.
Really ruins the neighborhood and over taxes the sewer and water systems.