Fairfax County, VA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- No-plan threshold
- 2,500 sq ft or less
- Max depth without plan
- 18 inches
- Approving official
- Director, DPWES
- Larger disturbances
- Grading plan required
Summary
Fairfax County requires an approved grading plan for soil disturbance over 2,500 square feet; smaller disturbances may proceed without one, but larger areas need Director approval, erosion controls, and drainage review under Section 5104.
Sod and soil may be removed from or added to any lot to a depth of not more 18 inches without
approval of a grading plan if the total disturbed area is 2,500 square feet or less. This provision does not apply to the temporary storage of topsoil by a garden center.
(2) Any sod and soil removal or addition within a major underground utility easement is only permitted in
accordance with subsection 5100.2.Q. In a floodplain, sod and soil may be removed in accordance with this subsection; however, the addition of sod and soil may only be permitted in accordance with the provisions of Section 5105 below.
B. Areas 5,000 Square Feet or Less
For disturbed areas of 5,000 square feet or less that do not require the installation of water quality controls or other drainage improvements, sod and soil may be removed or added and grading of land may be permitted by the Director in accordance with the following:
(1) Where the removal or addition of sod and soil or the grading of land results from the:
(a) Demolition of a single-family dwelling;
(b) Demolition of an accessory structure to a single-family dwelling;
(c) Construction of an addition to a single-family dwelling as defined in Chapter 61 of the County Code;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published.
Full Breakdown
The Zoning Ordinance's grading and drainage standards set tiers: disturbed areas of 2,500 square feet or less may be graded up to 18 inches deep without a plan; areas up to 5,000 square feet tied to single-family demolition, additions, or accessory construction need a certified plat with siltation and erosion controls; larger disturbances require a grading plan approved by the Director showing adequate drainage that won't alter natural drainage patterns, with erosion and sediment controls under Chapter 124.1 of the County Code. Filling in a floodplain, wetland, or Resource Protection Area is separately restricted.
Violations & Fines
Grading, filling, or excavating without the required plan or Director approval violates Section 5104 and can halt construction; unauthorized fill or contour changes in a floodplain, wetland, or Resource Protection Area are separately prohibited under the same section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to regrade my Fairfax County yard?
Can I fill in a floodplain on my Fairfax County property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fairfax County
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