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Historic Preservation

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.

Related Information

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. ARB Bylaws
Cemeteries of Fairfax County
Historic Overlay Districts
Historic Overlay Districts provide regulations over and above the regular zoning protection.
Historic Overlay District Design Guidelines
Each of the county's thirteen historic overlay districts has its own set of design guidelines.
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.

Additional Resources

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

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