10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Fairfax County enforces federal lead-based paint disclosure for pre-1978 housing and follows Virginia Department of Health protocols for childhood lead exposure investigations, with renovation permits requiring EPA RRP certification for affected properties.
Fairfax County requires annual inspection of all passenger and freight elevators under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, with current operating certificates posted in each car and maintained by licensed contractors.
Fairfax County requires permits for scaffolding extending into public rights-of-way and compliance with Virginia OSHA standards on construction sites, with sidewalk closures coordinated through Land Development Services and the Department of Transportation.
Fairfax County requires landlords and property owners to maintain rental and commercial buildings free of vermin under the Virginia Maintenance Code, with Health Department referrals for persistent infestations affecting multifamily housing.
Fairfax County follows the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code requiring automatic fire sprinklers in new high-rises, multifamily housing over three stories, and most commercial occupancies, with FCFRD plan review and acceptance testing mandatory.
Fairfax County requires licensed childcare facilities to meet Virginia USBC occupancy standards, fire-marshal inspections, and Virginia Department of Education licensing rules, with home-based providers also subject to county zoning and building code requirements.
Fairfax County enforces Virginia USBC and Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code rules on means-of-egress door hardware, requiring single-action unlocking from the egress side and prohibiting multiple operations or special knowledge to exit.
Fairfax County encourages green building through its Green Building Policy for county-funded projects targeting LEED Silver, but imposes no mandatory green-code requirements on private development beyond the Virginia USBC energy provisions.
Fairfax County enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) through Land Development Services (LDS). Building permits are required for most construction, additions, structural alterations, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work. Permits are obtained through the PLUS online portal. Work done without required permits is a Class 1 misdemeanor under VA Code §36-106 and may require removal or retroactive permitting plus penalties.
Fairfax County Land Development Services conducts mandatory inspections at key construction phases. Typical residential projects require footing, foundation, framing, insulation, rough mechanical/electrical/plumbing, and final inspections. Inspections are scheduled online or by phone, typically with next-business-day availability. Work cannot proceed to the next phase until the prior inspection passes. Final Certificate of Occupancy (CO) required before occupying new construction or major additions.
3 cities in Fairfax County have their own building safety rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Fairfax County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Fairfax County Ordinance Hub →