An overview of Fairfax County, Virginia’s Special Exception Process, from the time an application is filed, to the time of the Board of Supervisors Public Hearing (90 days).

1. Application is filed by the Applicant.
2. Application submissions are reviewed. When all Zoning Ordinance submission requirements are met, application is accepted and distributed to various county agencies.
3. Application is scheduled for Planning Commission Public Hearing and is assigned to a staff coordinator.
4. Prestaffing of application/Applicant will be contacted by staff about initial staff comments.
5. Revisions relating to prestaffing comments are submitted.
6. Staffing of application/Applicant. Will be contacted by staff about final staff comments.
7. Revisions relating to the staffing comments are submitted.
8. Final submission deadline (6 weeks prior to Planning Commission Public Hearing. Staff report is published based on information received by this date).
9. Notification to adjacent property owners (sent to Applicant 30 days prior to hearing, notices mailed by Applicant postmarked at least 15 days prior to hearing).
10. Staff report published (2 weeks prior to public hearing).
11. Planning Commission Public Hearing.
12. Application is scheduled for Board of Supervisors Public Hearing.
13. Notification to adjacent property owners (sent to Applicant 30 days prior to hearing, notices mailed by Applicant postmarked at least 15 days prior to hearing).
14. Board of Supervisors Public Hearing.