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Older buildings and neighborhoods in Fairfax County are part of Fairfax County’s "heritage resources" and are economic and social investments that pay dividends. However, these investments can be lost if not protected or properly cared for.
This public stewardship responsibility has been recognized for over thirty years. In 1969, the Board of
Supervisors amended the Zoning Ordinance to better protect those
unique areas, sites, and buildings that are of special architectural,
historic, or archaeological value to local residents and visitors.
These heritage resources continue to be recognized as major
contributors to the quality of life in Fairfax County and to
its reputation as one of the major centers for cultural tourism
in Virginia and the United States. This is not a new idea. In
fact, the County’s heritage resources have been studied
and preserved since the 1850s and, since the 1969 action by
the Board of Supervisors, many have been recognized and protected
by what are known as Historic Overlay Districts.
Architectural Review Board (ARB)
The ARB is responsible for public interest(s) as embodied in the Historic Overlay District Ordinance. Its job is to protect and enhance the resources that give a district its historic, architectural, or archaeological significance.
Cemeteries of Fairfax County
Historic Overlay Districts
Historic Overlay Districts provide regulations over and above the regular zoning protection.
History Commission
The Fairfax County History Commission, established in 1969, helps identify, document, record, and preserve our county's historic past. The Commission is also responsible for listing properties on the County Inventory of Historic Sites.
Inventory of Historic Sites
A catalog of historically significant sites within Fairfax County.
Preservation Easements
Conserving open space and historic resources through easements.
The Virginia Room
The Fairfax County Public Library's Virginia Room maintains a collection rich in regional history and genealogy.
The Zoning Ordinance is available in portable document format (PDF). In order to view PDF files, you will need Adobe Reader version 6.0 or greater installed on your computer. Zoning Ordinance Article 7 (PDF) – Overlay District Regulations Zoning Ordinance Appendix 1 (PDF) – Historic Overlay Districts
The Fairfax County History Commission in conjunction with the Department of Planning and Zoning has scheduled three community meetings on the proposed countywide Heritage Resources Comprehensive Plan Amendment. The purpose of these meetings is to provide information to the community on the proposed plan amendment and to solicit community comment. The public is encouraged to attend.
The agenda will be the same for each meeting. The three meetings are scheduled as follows:
Meeting 1: TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
Stone Mansion, 3900 Stoneybrooke Drive
Meeting 2: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
Frying Pan Park Visitor Center, 2739 West Ox Road
Meeting 3: SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 2008, 10 a.m.
Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Road
Doors will open half an before the meeting. Display maps with photographs will be on exhibit.
A major component of the proposed amendment is an update to the Inventory of Historic Sites figures in the Comprehensive Plan. These figures were last revised in 1994. Newly designated sites have been added to the Inventory. In addition, Inventory sites have been demolished and properties added to the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register of Historic Places.
The plan amendment will require public hearings before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. It is anticipated that these hearings will be held later this year. However, hearing dates are not currently scheduled.
If you have questions on the proposed plan amendment, please contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-324-1380, TTY 711. Information on the Inventory can be found at The Fairfax County Inventory of Historic Sites.
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