The Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan organizes growth through Area Plans for Tysons, Reston, Annandale, Springfield, and 21 other planning districts, supplemented by detailed sector and small-area studies.
Adopted under Va. Code 15.2-2223, the Comprehensive Plan is the policy backbone for all rezonings and special exceptions. It is divided into a Policy Plan and Area Plans for each of the county's 24 planning districts plus standalone documents for Tysons and Reston. Sector plans cover smaller areas such as Bailey's Crossroads and Lake Anne. Plan amendments follow the SSPA (Site-Specific Plan Amendment) process opened roughly every two years. The Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors review all amendments after community task force input.
The plan itself is policy, not regulation; binding limits flow through the Zoning Ordinance and proffered conditions enforced by zoning administration.
Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County's Zoning Ordinance limits front-yard fences and walls to 4 feet on most residential lots, while side and rear yards may go up to 7 feet. Lots ...
Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County requires a building permit from Land Development Services for any private pool, spa or hot tub with a surface area greater than 150 sq ft, cap...
Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County does not allow detached backyard tiny homes on most residential lots. The Zoning Ordinance treats a second dwelling as an Accessory Living Uni...
Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County treats a carport as a freestanding accessory structure under the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 112), Article 4 use rules and Article 5 dimensional...
Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County enforces residential pool barriers under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC, 13VAC5-63), which adopts the International Swimm...
Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County permits Accessory Living Units (ALUs) under Zoning Ordinance Section 4102.7. Interior ALUs (within the principal dwelling) may be approved by ...
See how Fairfax County's specific plans overview rules stack up against other locations.
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