Special Events & Permits in Fairfax County, VA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Park Event Permits
Special events held on County, Park Authority, or Fairfax County Public Schools property are exempt from the zoning special event permit and don't need an administrative permit at all.
Fairfax County Park Event Permit Exemption
Few RestrictionsFairfax County, VA, Zoning Ordinance § 4102.8.I(2)
Special events may be permitted on property owned and controlled by the County, Park Authority, or Fairfax County Public Schools and are not subject to the administrative permit standards in subsections (11) and (12) below and do not require an administrative permit. (3) Special events may not be permitted on a lot develop...
Parade Permits
Fairfax County Code Section 82-1-17 bars any funeral procession or parade from occupying, marching, or proceeding along any highway in the county without a permit issued by the County Executive. Only U.S. Army or Navy forces, state military forces, and the County Police and Fire Departments are exempt.
Fairfax County Parade Permit Required
Some RestrictionsFairfax County, VA, Code of Ordinances Sec. 82-1-17
No funeral procession or parade, excepting the forces of the United States Army or Navy, the military forces of the state and the forces of the Police and Fire Departments of the County, shall occupy, march or proceed along any highway, except in accordance with a permit issued by the County Executive and such other regulations as are set forth in this Chapter which may apply.
Street Fair Rules
Street fairs and festivals in Fairfax County need a Tier-One or Tier-Two administrative zoning permit, capped at 12 hours for a one-day event or 60 days for longer events.
Fairfax County Street Fair Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsFairfax County, VA, Zoning Ordinance § 4102.8.I(11)(a)
A Tier-One administrative permit may be issued for a special event that meets the following: 1. The event is limited to one day and no more than 12 hours in duration, inclusive of setup and breakdown. 2. A minimum of five days is provided between each one-day event. ...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Fairfax County zoning lets restaurants and similar food establishments add outdoor dining areas by right, capped at 50 percent of indoor dining floor area and subject to fire-code and accessibility rules.
Fairfax County Outdoor Dining Standards
Some RestrictionsFairfax County, VA, Zoning Ordinance § 4102.7.L(1)-(2)
Outdoor dining is permitted as accessory to the following uses ...: (a) Restaurant; (b) Carryout restaurant; (c) Restaurant with drive-through; (d) Craft beverage production establishment ... (a) The outdoor dining area for any single food establishment may not exceed an area equal to 50 percent of the indoor dining floor area of the establishment ... (f) A single tent larger than 900 square fe...
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