- A potential new zoning rule would impact northern Virginia.
- The new zoning rule would allow for casinos to pop up in Herndon.
HERNDON, Va. – Although there are casinos in Virginia, they are not permitted in the northern part of the state. However, that could potentially change with officials in Herndon, Virginia, considering new zoning rules.
The Herndon Planning Commission discussed the possibility of adding casino gaming as indoor entertainment, which would potentially bring legal blackjack to the northern half of the state.
To be able to classify them as indoor entertainment, Herndon officials would require the following to even consider the approval:
- 225+ room hotel
- Retail space of at least 34,000 square feet
- Conference/Ballroom space of at least 11,000 square feet
- Retail grocery space of at least 20,000 square feet
The development would only be permitted on the 38 acres of land that are located directly north of the Herndon Metro Station near the Herndon Parkway.
“Amending the Zoning Ordinance now to define casino-related terms and establish land use provisions will prepare the town for casino-related legislation that may have direct or indirect impacts on land use within the town,” staff wrote in a memo.
Initial consideration for the new zoning rules for a Virginia blackjack casino was introduced on March 24th, 2026, but were not discussed. It was later set to be discussed in an April 13th session, but the topic was withdrawn. There were other plans for it to come up on April 27th, but the session as a whole was canceled.