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On My Property

Your property is not an island. It is connected to the surrounding landscape. Your property may have utility easements, stormwater management infrastructure, or environmental protections in place. Find out what you are responsible for maintaining and what contractors need to know before altering your property.

Storm Drainage Easements

An easement is a right granted from a property owner to another for a specific use of a portion of the owner's land. Utility operators (gas, electric, sewer, etc.) often have easements for the purpose of installing and maintaining their utility lines and structures. Learn more about who maintains easements and how to get more information about your property.

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Private Facility Maintenance

What does it mean to be privately maintained? Privately maintained stormwater management facilities are maintained by the facility owner. The county does not have direct maintenance responsibility. However, Fairfax County is still responsible under state and federal stormwater permits for ensuring that the facilities remain in place, operate properly and are functional. To this end the county has established an inspection schedule for all privately maintained facilities, together with reporting and enforcement procedures for communicating inspection results to facility owners and gaining ma

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Resource Protection Areas (RPAs)

If you have a stream, wetland, pond or other water body on your property, it may be subject to protection based on local ordinances and the multi-state Chesapeake Bay Act. These protections may include restrictions on development and land clearing within a buffer zone around these waterbodies. These sensitive areas provide many environmental benefits and promote water quality by filtering pollutants and slowing stormwater runoff. View Watersheds and RPAs Interactive Map

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Flood Information

Learn what you can do to protect your property from flooding, report flooding, information and maps on floodplains, details on building in and around a floodplain, the national flood insurance program, the community rating system and dam safety. View FEMA Map Change Information and Public Meetings.

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Connect to the Public Sanitary Sewer System

Sanitary (wastewater) and stormwater sewers are not the same in Fairfax County. Don't connect surface drains and gutters to the sanitary sewer. View a diagram of proper and improper connections to the sanitary system. Visit Wastewater Management for more information about proper connection to the Sanitary Sewer System.

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Public Design Standards

Public design standards can be found in the Public Facilities Manual which sets forth the guidelines which govern the design of all public facilities which must be constructed to serve new development. It is intended to serve as a technical manual in the effort to implement the requirements of the Subdivision and Zoning ordinances and other applicable chapters of the Code of the County of Fairfax, Virginia (County Code).

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Invasive Species

Invasive species can lead to the extinction of native plants and animals, reduce biodiversity, and permanently change habitats. Learn more and share with others what invasive species are, their damaging effects and the need to control them. Find out what we are doing in Fairfax County, what you can do to make a difference and how to recognize, prevent, control, and report them.

Learn more about Trapa bisponosa Early Detection and Eradication.

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Hands-On Conservation

We like to get our hands dirty, whether it's through build-your-own rain barrel and tumbler composter workshops, homeowner conservation projects, our native tree and shrub seedling sale, sustainable garden tour or volunteer opportunities for stream monitoring and storm drain education. Explore our programs to learn more about our initiatives.

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Public Works and Environmental Services

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Department Resources

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On My Property

Storm Drainage Easements

Private Facility Maintenance

Resource Protection Areas (RPAs)

Flood Information

Connect to the Public Sanitary Sewer System

Public Design Standards

You Can Help Prevent Pollution

Invasive Species

Hands-On Conservation

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