8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Fairfax County enforces the Virginia Stormwater Management Act through its local stormwater management program, requiring water quality and quantity controls for land-disturbing activities over 2,500 square feet (more restrictive than the state 1-acre threshold). Projects must submit stormwater management plans, install best management practices, and provide long-term maintenance. The Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance adds further requirements.
Fairfax County Code Chapter 104 requires an approved erosion and sediment control plan before any land-disturbing activity exceeding 2,500 square feet, enforced by Land Development Services inspectors.
Fairfax County includes extensive FEMA-designated flood zones along the Potomac River, Difficult Run, Accotink Creek, Pohick Creek, Cub Run, and their tributaries, primarily mapped as Zone AE (1% annual chance floodplain). Construction in Special Flood Hazard Areas requires a floodplain development permit, elevation to or above Base Flood Elevation (BFE) plus freeboard, and flood insurance for federally-backed mortgages.
Fairfax County has a robust Tree Preservation and Planting Ordinance under Chapter 122 of the County Code, among the strongest in Virginia. Development projects must preserve existing tree canopy and/or plant new trees to meet canopy coverage requirements — 10-year canopy targets range from 10% (commercial) to 20% (residential). Removal of heritage, specimen, memorial, or street trees requires permits.
Fairfax County has not adopted a gas-powered leaf blower ban, but noise ordinance Chapter 108.1 limits blower use during quiet hours and the county encourages voluntary electric replacement.
Fairfax County adopted a Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan (CARP) and an Operational Energy Strategy targeting carbon neutrality for county operations by 2040 and community-wide by 2050.
Fairfax County Procurement Resolution and Operational Energy Strategy require staff to favor ENERGY STAR, EPEAT, and recycled-content goods, and to evaluate lifecycle cost rather than lowest sticker price.
Fairfax County uses tree canopy goals, cool roof incentives in Tysons, and stormwater bioretention to mitigate urban heat islands in dense activity centers under the CECAP framework.
3 cities in Fairfax County have their own environmental rules 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 →