Property Maintenance in Fairfax County, VA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Fairfax County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Property Blight

Fairfax County's Health Department can order owners to repair, secure, or remove deteriorated, structurally unsafe, or collapse-risk buildings as a public health or safety menace, then bill the owner and lien the property if the county has to do the work itself.

Fairfax County Dangerous Building Abatement

Some Restrictions

Fairfax County, VA, Code of Ordinances § 46-1-3(a)

(a)When any condition that constitutes a public health or safety menace is found on occupied or vacant land or premises, the Director shall notify in writing the owner or occupant of the land or premises on which the condition exists and/or any other person who he believes is responsible for the health or safety menace. Such notice shall contain a description of the health or safety menace and ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Vacant Lot Maintenance

Fairfax County applies its 12-inch grass and lawn cap to undeveloped residential lots inside mostly built-out subdivisions and to vacant commercial or industrial parcels, not just occupied yards, with DCC enforcing by posted notice.

Fairfax County Vacant Lot Grass Rule

Some Restrictions

Fairfax County, VA, Code of Ordinances § 119-3-1(b)

Undeveloped Residential Property: It is unlawful for any owner of any undeveloped residential parcel which is less than one-half acre (21,780 square feet) and which is located within a recorded subdivision where 90% of the parcels have been developed to permit the growth of any grass or lawn area to exceed 12 inches in height.(c)Commercial/Industrial Property: It is unlawful for any owner of an...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Property Maintenance by City in Fairfax County

2 cities in Fairfax County have their own property maintenance rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

HerndonPop. 24,532

1 verified rule • Property Blight

ViennaPop. 16,473

1 verified rule • Property Blight

All Fairfax County ordinances

See every category we cover for Fairfax County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Fairfax County Ordinance Hub →