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Fairfax County, VA Cannabis Regulations: Personal Cultivation Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified May 2026

Key Facts

Plant cap
4 per household
Citation
VA Code 4.1-1101
Tagging
Name and ID required
Visibility
Not from public way

Summary

Virginia law allows residents 21 and older to cultivate up to four cannabis plants per household for personal use. Plants must be tagged, hidden from public view, and inaccessible to minors.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Fairfax County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (c) of § 18.2-248.1 , a person 21 years of age or older may cultivate up to four marijuana plants for personal use at their place of residence; however, at no point shall a household contain more than four marijuana plants. For purposes of this section, a "household" means those individuals, whether related or not, who live in the same house or other place of residence.

A person may only cultivate marijuana plants pursuant to this section at such person's main place of residence.

A violation of this subsection shall be punishable as follows:

1. For possession of more than four marijuana plants but no more than 10 marijuana plants, (i) a civil penalty of $250 for a first offense, (ii) a Class 3 misdemeanor for a second offense, and (iii) a Class 2 misdemeanor for a third and any subsequent offense;

2. For possession of more than 10 but no more than 49 marijuana plants, a Class 1 misdemeanor;

3. For possession of more than 49 but no more than 100 marijuana plants, a Class 6 felony; and

4. For possession of more than 100 marijuana plants, a felony punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than 10 years or a fine of not more than $250,000, or both.

B. A person who cultivates marijuana for personal use pursuant to this section shall:

1. Ensure that no marijuana plant is visible from a public way without the use of aircraft, binoculars, or other optical aids;

2. Take precautions to prevent unauthorized access by persons younger than 21 years of age; and

3. Attach to each marijuana plant a legible tag that includes the person's name, driver's license or identification number, and a notation that the marijuana plant is being grown for personal use as authorized under this section.

C. A person shall not manufacture marijuana concentrate from home-cultivated marijuana.

Source: Virginia Code 4.1-1101View official code

Full Breakdown

Under Virginia Code Section 4.1-1101, adults 21 and older may grow up to four cannabis plants per household, regardless of how many adults live there. Plants must be tagged with the grower's name, driver's license or ID number, and a notation that they are for personal use. Plants must not be visible from a public way without binoculars or other aids and must be in a location not accessible to anyone under 21. Selling homegrown cannabis is prohibited. Fairfax County does not impose additional limits, but HOA covenants and rental leases may restrict cultivation, and tenants should review their lease before planting.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding four plants, failing to tag, or growing visible from a public way can result in civil penalties and, for larger amounts, criminal manufacturing or distribution charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can two adults each grow four plants?
No. The four-plant limit applies per household regardless of how many adults live there. Two roommates share a single four-plant cap.
Can my Fairfax landlord ban home cultivation?
Yes. Landlords and HOAs may prohibit cannabis cultivation through lease terms or covenants even though state law permits four plants.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Fairfax County

All Fairfax County rules

Compare Fairfax County to another location·View the Virginia cannabis regulations overview

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