Fairfax County, VA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing rule
- No zoning admin permit required
- Applies to
- County, Park Authority, FCPS property
- Not exempt from
- Noise Ordinance, Chapter 108.1
- Excluded location
- Single-family dwelling lots
Summary
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.
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 developed with a single-family dwelling.
(4) All noise, including music, from a special event must comply with the Noise Ordinance, Chapter 108.1 of
the County Code.
(5) If applicable, the special event operator is responsible for obtaining all required licenses or permits from
agencies including but not limited to:
(a) Health Department if the event requires a food establishment permit or includes a temporary
outdoor sanitary facility;
(b) Office of the Fire Marshal if the event involves propane tanks, selling fireworks, or a single tent
larger than 900 square feet or multiple tents separated by less than 12 feet and exceeding a combined area larger than 900 square feet;
https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/fairfaxcounty-va/doc-viewer.aspx#secid--1 259/545 8/18/26, 9:54 PM Document Viewer | Zoning Ordinance
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published.
Full Breakdown
Fairfax County's Zoning Ordinance exempts special events on property owned and controlled by the County, the Park Authority, or Fairfax County Public Schools from the standard administrative permit process used for privately organized events. A fair, concert, or festival staged in a county park doesn't need a Tier-One or Tier-Two zoning permit. It still can't be held on a lot developed with a single-family dwelling, must follow all noise, health, fire, and parking standards, and any music must comply with the county Noise Ordinance, Chapter 108.1.
Violations & Fines
Special events must still comply with all County, state, and federal codes; noncompliant events on park property remain subject to noise, health, and fire code enforcement despite the zoning exemption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a zoning permit for an event in a Fairfax County park?
Does the noise ordinance still apply at a park event?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fairfax County
Compare Fairfax County to another location·View the Virginia special events & permits overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.