Tiny home rules in Vienna, VA — covering tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), park model RVs, and tiny home on foundation builds — determine where they are legal and how they get permitted.
Fairfax County does not allow detached backyard tiny homes on most residential lots. The Zoning Ordinance treats a second dwelling as an Accessory Living Unit (ALU); interior ALUs require an administrative permit while detached ALUs require a special permit on lots of 2 acres or more. All construction must meet the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63).
Fairfax County regulates tiny homes used as second dwellings through Zoning Ordinance Chapter 112's Accessory Living Unit (ALU) provisions. Interior ALUs (within or attached to the principal dwelling) are limited to 800 sq ft or 40% of the gross floor area of the principal dwelling, whichever is less, with a maximum of 2 bedrooms, and require an administrative permit (currently $270 fee, 2-year initial approval). Detached ALUs are only permitted by special permit through the Board of Zoning Appeals on lots of at least 2 acres, with a maximum size of 1,200 sq ft. Either the principal or accessory unit must be owner-occupied and ALU occupancy is limited to 2 people. All ALU construction must comply with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63), which incorporates the 2018 IRC. Virginia has not statewide-adopted IRC Appendix Q (tiny house standards); confirm whether Fairfax accepts Appendix Q designs with Land Development Services. A tiny house on wheels is treated as a recreational vehicle (HUD/ANSI A119.5) and cannot be used as a permanent residence in residential zones. Confirm with Fairfax County Zoning at 703-222-1082.
Occupying a detached backyard tiny home as a second dwelling without a special permit, or an interior ALU without an administrative permit, is enforceable through Zoning Enforcement. Living in a tiny house on wheels parked on residential property can be cited as an unpermitted dwelling.
Vienna, VA
Commercial noise in Vienna, including HVAC equipment, refrigeration units, delivery activity, and loading docks, is regulated through zoning conditions and t...
Vienna, VA
Vehicle noise in Vienna is regulated through both Town Code and Virginia state law. Modified exhaust systems, excessively loud stereos, and unnecessary horn ...
Vienna, VA
Construction and contractor work in Vienna is permitted Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and prohibited on Sundays and ...
Vienna, VA
The Town of Vienna restricts unreasonably loud, disturbing, or unnecessary noise at all hours under Chapter 13 of the Town Code, with enhanced nighttime rest...
Vienna, VA
Commercial vehicles over 12,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, tractor-trailers, and vehicles with commercial signage above specified sizes generally ca...
Vienna, VA
On-street parking in Vienna is generally allowed on residential streets unless signed otherwise. Vehicles may not be parked in the same spot on a public stre...
See how Vienna's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
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