Parking Rules in Fairfax County, VA (2026)
11 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
RV & Boat Parking
Fairfax County can bar watercraft, boat trailers, motor homes, and camping trailers from street parking inside designated Community Parking Districts under Article 5B. The ban also reaches any other trailer, any vehicle with three or more axles, and any vehicle rated at 12,000 pounds or more, backed by a $75 fine per violation.
Fairfax County Community Parking District Bans
Significant RestrictionsFairfax County, VA, Code of Ordinances §§ 82-5B-1, 82-5B-2(a)
Restricted Vehicle means watercraft, boat trailer, motor home, camping trailer, or any other trailer or semi-trailer, regardless of whether such trailer or semi-trailer is attached to another vehicle; any vehicle with three or more axles; any vehicle that has a gross vehicle weight rating of 12,000 or more pounds except school buses used on a current and regular basis to transport students...
Driveway Rules
Single-family homes in the R-1 through R-4 districts must park in the front yard on a surfaced area capped at 25% to 30% lot coverage under the zoning code.
Fairfax County Front Yard Parking Coverage
Some RestrictionsFairfax County, VA, Zoning Ordinance subsec. 6100.2.B(1)
In the R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 Districts, for any single-family detached dwelling on a lot no larger than 36,000 square feet, all parking for vehicles or trailers in a front yard must be on a surfaced area and limited to the maximum coverage percentage listed in Table 6100.1, except, that on a pipestem lot, the surfaced area within the pipestem driveway is not included in ...
Commercial & Oversized Vehicles
Fairfax County bars parking commercial vehicles, trailers and semitrailers on residential streets under Section 82-5-7(b), covering trucks over 21 feet long, 8 feet tall, or 12,000-plus pounds.
Fairfax County Bans Residential Commercial Parking
Significant RestrictionsFairfax County, VA, Code of Ordinances § 82-5-7(b)
No person shall park any commercial vehicle on the highways of the County in areas zoned for residential use. However, one resident of each single-family dwelling unit zoned for residential use may park one vehicle licensed and registered in the Commonwealth of Virginia as a taxicab or limousine on such highways, provided other vehicles are permitted to park thereon, and the provisions of this ...
Street Parking Limits
Fairfax County bans parking on sidewalks, within 10 feet of driveways, 20 feet of intersections and crosswalks, and 15 feet of fire hydrants under Section 82-5-1, with exceptions only for police direction or unavoidable traffic conflicts.
Fairfax County On-Street Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsFairfax County, VA, Code of Ordinances § 82-5-1
No person shall park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid a conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or traffic-control device, in any of the following places: (1) On a sidewalk; (2) In front of, or within ten feet to either side of, a public or private driveway; (3) In or within 20 feet of an intersection; (4) Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant lo...
Overnight Parking
Fairfax County's Board of Supervisors can designate specific secondary-road blocks as restricted-parking zones under Appendix R when long-term parking eats up on-street capacity, backed by Section 82-5-37 fines up to $100.
Fairfax County Restricted Long-Term Parking Zones
Light RestrictionsFairfax County, VA, Code of Ordinances § 82-5-37
The Board of Supervisors may designate, by ordinance, which shall be set forth in Appendix R, areas for restricted parking upon any part of the secondary road system within the County if the Board finds that... (5) The long term parking of vehicles diminishes the capacity of on-street parking for other uses. ...Violations shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $100.00 for ...
EV Charging
Fairfax County allows EV charging stations as an accessory use, but residential chargers are limited to residents and guests and capped at Level 1 or Level 2 unless placed inside a parking structure.
Fairfax County EV Charging Accessory Rules
Some RestrictionsFairfax County, VA, Zoning Ordinance § 4102.7.E(1)(a)-(b)
The space must not interfere with vehicular, bicycle, or pedestrian circulation, including fire lanes and access to the site. (b) When accessory to any residential development: 1. Electric vehicle charging is allowed only for the residents and their guests; and 2. Unless lo...
Abandoned Vehicles
Fairfax County police can tow any vehicle left unattended over 15 days without moving 300 feet, or lacking current plates or inspection, as presumptively abandoned under Section 82-5-29.
Fairfax County Abandoned Vehicle Removal
Some RestrictionsFairfax County, VA, Code of Ordinances § 82-5-29(c)
(c)It shall be presumed that such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, or part thereof, is abandoned if: (1) it lacks either a current license plate, or a valid state inspection certificate or sticker, or is parked in violation of the law; or (2) it has been in a specific location for 15 days without being moved at least 300 feet. Provision (2) does not apply if the vehicle is parked within 5...
Curb Color Rules
Fairfax County spells out exactly how fire lanes must be painted: yellow, highway-grade paint on every curb or paved space designated as a fire lane, a 6-inch yellow stripe where there is no curb, and a standing duty on the property owner to repaint as soon as the paint fades.
Fairfax County Fire Lane Curb Painting
Some RestrictionsFairfax County Code § 62-2-8, Fire Prevention Code § 503.3.1(5.5)
All curbs or paved spaces designated as fire lanes shall be indicated by yellow (highway grade) paint as approved by the fire code official. In areas without curbing, a 6-inch-wide yellow stripe shall be applied to the edge of the pavement. The property owner or designee shall repaint whenever the paint begins to fade or when directed by the fire code official.
Loading Zones
Fairfax County restricts marked curb loading zones to active loading and unloading during posted hours, and requires delivery vehicles other than regular trucks to display three-inch identifying lettering.
Fairfax County Curb Loading Zone Rules
Some RestrictionsFairfax County, VA, Code of Ordinances § 82-5-27 (Manner of using loading zones)
No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle for any purpose or length of time, other than for the expeditious unloading and delivery or pickup and loading of materials, in any place marked as a curb loading zone during hours when the provisions applicable to such zones are in effect. All delivery vehicles, other than regular delivery trucks, using such loading zones shall be identified by the...
Preferential Parking Districts
Fairfax County lets residents petition for Residential Permit Parking Districts that require a county decal to park on-street during posted hours, under Article 5A of the traffic code.
Fairfax County Residential Permit Parking Districts
Significant RestrictionsFairfax County, VA, Code of Ordinances § 82-5A-9
On-street parking during specified hours in any Residential Permit Parking District shall be permitted only upon display of a valid parking permit or pass on an RPPD allowable vehicle as defined in Section 82-5A-2; provided, however, that the parking limitations of this Article shall not apply to vehicles owned or leased by a public agency, or marked service or delivery vehicles which are being...
Towing & Impound Rights
Fairfax County caps a trespass tow at $210.00 hookup for a passenger car and $610.00 for anything over 10,000 pounds GVWR, gives the first 24 hours of storage free, holds the drop fee to $80.00 and a boot release to $75.00, and voids the entire bill when the operator breaks a rule.
Fairfax County Trespass Towing Fee Caps
Significant RestrictionsFairfax County Code Section 82-5-32(g)(2)
(2)Rates and charges.(A)It shall be unlawful for an operator to charge any fees exceeding those set forth in this section.(i)Immobilization. An operator may charge a vehicle owner a maximum fee of $75.00 for the release of a vehicle when it is immobilized. ...(ii)Drop fee. An operator may charge a vehicle owner a maximum fee of $80.00 for the release of a vehicle prior to towing the vehicle fro...
Parking Rules by City in Fairfax County
2 cities in Fairfax County have their own parking rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Fairfax County ordinances
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