Standing Positions

HRRA recognizes the need for localities to raise revenue to address critical infrastructure needs, particularly for school construction. We believe that a dedicated, broad-based funding method, such as a local option sales tax, is the most equitable and efficient method to address these needs. HRRA opposes recordation/transfer taxes and fees for the following reasons:

• Increasing recordation/transfer taxes places an additional burden on homebuyers and sellers at the time of settlement and places an unreasonable burden on real property owners;
• Real estate transfer taxes are an unstable and unpredictable source of revenue. Because home sales are cyclical, downturns in the housing market cause revenues from recordation and transfer taxes to fall, creating added pressures for a tax increase;
• The transfer tax is also a regressive tax. In general, people tend to spend a smaller share of their income on housing as their income increases; and
• Increases in the transfer tax must be more severe than an increase in a broad-based tax designed to generate the same amount of total revenue. This is because the transfer tax base is very narrow relative to a more general tax, such as a local option sales tax, so fewer people pay the tax in a given year. Distributing the burden among a wider group of taxpayers would reduce the tax burden per taxpayer.

HRRA recognizes that a balanced transportation system that effectively moves people and
products throughout the Commonwealth is vital to the economy and a high quality of life for
Virginians. HRRA believes that our transportation system, provided by the state and in
conjunction with local governments, must be fully funded by broad-based revenue sources.
Furthermore, HRRA recognizes the significant and immediate transportation needs that exist in
the Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads regions. Accordingly, HRRA supports:

• Dedicated long-term funding streams for transportation.
• A Constitutionally protected and dedicated transportation trust fund
• Creation of regional entities that would collect and distribute public funds for
  transportation projects
• Improvements in transit systems across the Commonwealth, including the development
  of or improvement to bus transit systems, light rail systems or Metrorail systems.

The Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), in the “Property Maintenance” provisions
Applying to existing commercial and residential properties, a local building official can address property maintenance issues affecting public health, welfare, and safety.

Hampton Roads REALTORS® Association opposes any expansion of the current enabling authorities for local governments to inspect rental properties, without the property owner’s permission.

Hampton Roads REALTORS® Association opposes efforts on the part of local governments to use the USBC, or other programs such as Universal Design, LEED/Green Building, or Accessibility/”Visibility” to require property owners to retrofit properties in prior compliance with law and regulation.

Increased population growth and demographic shifts from urban centers have prompted major discussions about poor development patterns and whether local governments have the authority to regulate land use effectively and fund their public infrastructure needs.

Hampton Roads REALTORS® Association opposes the expansion of local government authority by the General Assembly in land use powers.

Hampton Roads REALTORS® Association supports additional broad-based revenue sources for public infrastructure funding, efforts to encourage regional cooperation; and dedicated broad-based funding methods.

Hampton Roads REALTORS® Association strongly opposes additional “growth control” measures that only exacerbate current problems with sprawl and the lack of affordable housing in Hampton Roads. Examples include:

Adequate Public Facilities (APF) ordinances, which would require that supporting infrastructure be in place prior to, or concurrent with, governmental approval of a particular project; Cash proffers and impact fees Mandatory Transfer of Development Rights (TDR); and Exclusionary zoning practices such as drastic increases in minimum lots sizes or other decisions that discourage high-density development.

Hampton Roads REALTORS® Association supports the expansion of affordable, accessible, and reliable broadband and cellular service throughout Hampton Roads, particularly in unserved and underserved areas. Broadband access facilitates growth in property values, business opportunities, and job creation. While there is no single strategy or policy to accomplish this, Hampton Roads REALTORS® Association supports continued collaboration between Federal, state, and local governments, and the private sector to achieve the goal of broadband expansion.

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a smaller, independent residential dwelling unit located on the same lot as a stand-alone (i.e., detached) single-family home. ADUs go by many different names throughout the U.S., including accessory apartments, secondary suites, and granny flats. ADUs can be converted portions of existing homes (i.e., internal ADUs), additions to new or existing homes (i.e., attached ADUs), or new stand-alone accessory structures or converted portions of existing stand-alone accessory structures (i.e., detached ADUs).

Internal, attached, and detached ADUs all have the potential to increase housing affordability (both for homeowners and tenants), create a wider range of housing options within the community, enable seniors to stay near family as they age, and facilitate better use of the existing housing fabric in established neighborhoods.

The Hampton Roads REALTORS® Association believes that Accessory Dwelling units will provide housing opportunities that will strengthen communities and foster inter-generational home ownership.

The Hampton Roads REALTORS® Association strongly supports zoning practices that promote the building and use of ADUs as part of an affordable housing strategy within its comprehensive planning, and housing needs assessments.

The Hampton Roads REALTORS® Association strongly opposes any efforts by local governments to restrict Accessory Dwelling Units outside those laws that already address the issues that affect public health, safety, and welfare.  Hampton Roads REALTORS® Association opposes any expansion of the current enabling authorities for local governments to restrict ADUs.