Fairfax County manages homeless encampments through a coordinated outreach and cleanup protocol led by the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness. Cleanups follow advance notice and outreach contact, with property storage offered when feasible.
Encampments on county property are addressed through a multi-agency protocol involving the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness, Fairfax County Police, Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, and Health Department. Outreach teams visit sites first to offer shelter and services. Cleanups proceed only after advance written notice, typically 72 hours or more, posted at the site. Personal property of value is bagged, tagged, and stored for retrieval. Encampments on private property are handled under trespass law and county solid waste rules in Chapter 41.1.
Illegal dumping at or around encampments is a violation of Fairfax County Code Chapter 41.1 with civil penalties. Trespass on private property is a Class 1 misdemeanor under Virginia Code Section 18.2-119 punishable by jail and fines.
See how Fairfax's encampment sanitation rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.