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TextFAQs: Snow Removal
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is responsible for
plowing the public roads (interstate, primary, secondary, residential) in
Fairfax County. Clearing is done on a priority basis, with interstates
and high volume roads cleared first. Once the most heavily traveled roads
and emergency routes are adequately clear, snow crews move to
less-traveled roads and subdivisions. These public roadways can typically
be identified by a route number sign
posted at street intersections. Please contact VDOT for
additional information (1-800-FOR ROAD (367-7623), TTY 711).
If your street is not identified with a route number sign, it is most
likely privately maintained. Snow removal on privately maintained roads
is the responsibility of the property owners along the road or the
homeowner association.
If a street in a townhouse or condominium complex is not posted with a
state route
number, it is a private street that is the responsibility of the
homeowner/condominium association to plow. Please contact your
association or property manager for further information.
Pipestem driveways are privately owned and maintained by the property
owners on the pipestem. Snow removal is the property owners'
responsibility.
If a state route number is not posted on the new street, then most likely it is either a privately maintained street, or a future public road, secured through a development agreement and security that is held by Fairfax County, commonly referred to as being "under bond." In this case, the developer of the project is responsible for maintaining all aspects of the project until final bond release occurs, including street maintenance, snow removal and maintenance of stormwater facilities. For information regarding snow and ice removal on a street or within a subdivision under bond, contact the Environmental and Facilities Inspections Division at 703-324-1950, TTY 711.
The county does not plow streets that are the responsibility of the Virginia Department of Transportation or that are privately maintained. The county does plow a few miles of designated sections of roadway that are in the Fairfax County Road Maintenance and Improvement Program. These road sections are identified by blue signs that say, "Fairfax County Maintained Here to ### feet." For snow removal on these street sections, please email the Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division or call 703-877-2800, TTY 711.
Neither the state nor the county clears snow and ice from public
walkways (sidewalks and trails). While not legally obligated, residents
and businesses are asked to help keep sidewalks safe. They should, as
soon as feasible, clear snow off the sidewalks in front of their property
so that all pedestrians, especially school children, those with
disabilities and the elderly, may walk securely. Homeowner associations
may require members of their communities to clear walkways abutting their
property. Please contact your association or property manager for further
information.
The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is responsible for snow removal at most general county facilities and county-maintained park-and-ride and commuter rail station lots. Clearing is performed on a priority basis, with government centers, police and fire facilities having highest priority. For information, email the Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division or call 703-877-2800, TTY 711. Snow clearance for facilities under the jurisdiction of the county's Department of Housing and Community Development, the Fairfax County Park Authority and Fairfax County Public Schools is the responsibility of those agencies.
For accessible spaces at non-county facilities, contact the Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs, Equity Programs Division at 703-324-2207, TTY 711. If the space is at a county-maintained facility, please email the Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division or call 703-877-2800, TTY 711. For accessible spaces in parking lots maintained by the county's Department of Housing and Community Development, the Fairfax County Park Authority or Fairfax County Public Schools, please contact those agencies.
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