Fairfax County Code Chapter 109.1 (Property Maintenance) requires owners to keep premises free of rodent harborage and infestation. Violations trigger Code Compliance enforcement and abatement orders.
Under Fairfax County Code Chapter 109.1, property owners must keep buildings, structures, and lots clear of conditions that harbor rats, mice, or other vermin. This includes sealing exterior openings, securing trash, removing food debris, and addressing standing water. Code Compliance investigates complaints and may issue notices of violation requiring abatement within a stated timeframe. Commercial food establishments face additional obligations under the Virginia Food Regulations enforced by the Health Department. Persistent infestations on rental property can also trigger habitability complaints under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
Failure to abate after a notice of violation can result in civil penalties, county-performed abatement billed to the owner, and recordable liens against the property.
See how Fairfax's rodent control rules stack up against other locations.
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