Fairfax, VA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)

Defensible space ordinances are primarily a feature of western U.S. states with significant wildland-urban interface risk from wildfire. The City of Fairfax is a 6.3-square-mile, highly developed jurisdiction in Northern Virginia surrounded by Fairfax County suburbs. Wildfire risk is minimal compared to western states, and the city has not adopted a dedicated defensible space ordinance. General vegetation management is addressed through the Virginia Maintenance Code (adopted as part of the USBC) and the city's weed and grass ordinance, which requires property owners to keep grass under 12 inches and remove overgrown brush that constitutes a nuisance. Virginia's spring fire season (February 15 through April 30) does affect wooded portions of nearby Fairfax County, but within the incorporated city the primary fire risks are structural, not vegetation-driven. Best practices recommended by the Virginia Department of Forestry and the City of Fairfax Fire Marshal include maintaining clearance of at least 5 feet around structures, keeping gutters clear of leaf debris, trimming branches away from chimneys and power lines, storing firewood at least 20 feet from the home, and ensuring house numbers are visible for emergency responders. Homeowners with wooded lots or adjacent to Daniels Run or Accotink Creek greenways should exercise additional care.