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- How do I register to vote?
- Who should I contact to report a blighted property in my neighborhood?
- Who should I call to register a complaint with a Fairfax County business?
- Who should I contact in order to obtain a permit for home improvement projects?
- Who should I contact in order to determine whether a home improvement project is legal?
- Who should I contact to report a violation of the county's noise ordinance?
- What are the laws restricting the posting of signs in Fairfax County?
- Who should I contact regarding maintenance of streets, roads, storm drainage and sidewalks?
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Who should I contact with questions related to
removal and replacement of trees?
Who should I contact to report a blighted property in my neighborhood?
The Blight Abatement Program addresses citizen concerns about commercial and residential structures that have fallen into disrepair and meet the legal definition of blight under the Virginia Code. Eligible properties must be vacant and/or boarded up for at least one year; the subject of complaints; no longer maintained for useful occupancy; and in dilapidated condition or lacking normal maintenance or upkeep. For information or to report a blighted property, call the Department of Housing and Community Development Blight Abatement Hotline: 703-246-5179, TTY 703-385-3578.
Who should I call to register a complaint with a Fairfax County business?
The Department of Cable Communications and Consumer Protection investigates consumer and tenant-landlord complaints and seeks enforcement action in cases where consumer laws have been violated. The department also regulates the taxi industry and issues licenses for taxicab drivers as well as licenses for peddlers and solicitors, precious metal and gem dealers, pawnbrokers, and massage parlor operators. The agency is also responsible for analyzing utility rates and services and recommending changes beneficial to consumers. The county provides assistance to community associations through a 300-page community association manual. The Department also regulates cable television services and produces cable television programs about county government.
You may file a complaint electronically at their web site, or via phone at 703-324-5900.
The Department's office is located in Suite 433 at the County Government Center. Call 703-222-8435, TTY 703-222-8653.
Who should I contact in order to obtain a permit for home improvement projects?
Home improvement projects involving construction, enlargement, alteration, repairs (including fire damage restoration), removal or demolition of a building, or installation or alteration of equipment are regulated by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and County Code, and generally require permits. Some ordinary home repairs are exempt. If in doubt about whether a home improvement project requires a permit, call the Permit Application Center, 703-222-0801.
Who should I contact in order to determine whether a home improvement project is legal?
The Zoning Ordinance regulates the location and size of home improvements such as garages, storage sheds, decks, fences and other accessory uses and structures. For information on these regulations, call 703-222-1082.
Who should I contact to report a violation of the County's Noise Ordinance?
The County's Noise Ordinance (ch. 108 of the County Code) forbids excessive noise from musical instruments, radios, televisions or other sound systems, as well as disturbances by barking dogs or other domestic animals. To violate the ordinance, noise must be clearly audible across property lines or through partitions. In addition, the Noise Ordinance prohibits a number of specific actions during early morning or late evening hours. All complaints usually require monitoring to establish that a violation exists.
Here are some specific prohibitions stating acts that are considered violations during the hours noted:
1)Operating loud speakers & amplifiers (exterior of buildings) 11p.m.-7a.m.
2)Operating construction equipment (outdoors) 9p.m.- 7a.m.
3)Operating construction equipment (outdoors) on Sundays and Federal Holidays 9p.m.- 9a.m.
4)Repairing vehicles or equipment (outdoors) 9p.m.- 7a.m.
5)Operating powered model vehicles (outdoors) 9p.m.- 7a.m.
6)Refuse collection in residential neighborhoods 9p.m.- 6 a.m.
7)Truck loading or unloading (outdoors) 9p.m.- 6 a.m.
Complaints should be reported to Zoning Enforcement, 703-324-1300, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays. In addition, noise complaints can be reported to the Police Department's non-emergency line at 703-691-2131.
What are the laws restricting the posting of signs in Fairfax County?
There are a number of legal restrictions on the posting of signs in the county. Those wishing to advertise such matters as business services, real estate offerings or yard sales should be aware of these restrictions. For information about the posting of signs and the requirement for sign permits, call the Zoning Enforcement Branch at 703-324-1300.
Who should I contact regarding maintenance of streets, roads, storm drainage and sidewalks?
Most streets, roads, storm sewers (in the right-of-way) and sidewalks in the County are maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). These include 51 miles of interstate, 154 miles of primary, and 2,402 miles of secondary roads. For information on snow removal or to report road hazards (potholes, debris in the road, damaged signs, malfunctioning traffic signals, etc.) call VDOT's 24-hour customer service number 703-383-VDOT (8368). To request a traffic signal or change in speed limit, call 703-383-2400. For questions concerning storm sewers outside the right-of-way, call the County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, Maintenance and Stormwater Management Division at 703-934-2800.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation and VDOT jointly address residential neighborhood traffic management problems such as excessive speed and traffic volume. In addition to speed enforcement, there are various policies available for consideration in addressing these issues including cut-through traffic, traffic-calming, multi-way stop, and truck restriction policies. Call 703-324-1100.
The VDOT right-of-way includes not only the street but also the sidewalk, if any, constructed prior to July 1, 1981, and whatever grassy strip may lie between curb and sidewalk. Any plantings within VDOT right-of-way should be done only with VDOT approval. Generally, if the strip is less than three feet wide, only grass and low-growing ground cover may be planted. Dwarf compact shrubs are permitted on strips from three to six feet wide. Trees may be planted on wider strips but must conform to VDOT guidelines. Call VDOT at 703-383-VDOT (8368) or 703-383-2888 for planting permit information.
The county government is responsible for only a few miles of road which have not been incorporated into the state system. For information about the County Road Maintenance and Improvement Program, call the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services at 703-324-5800. The county also constructs some improvements to VDOT streets. Private roads found in some subdivisions and townhouse communities must be maintained-- including snow removal -- by the homeowners association.
There are many types of easements located on homeowners' properties in the county, including Dominion Virginia Power, Northern Virginia Natural Gas, Fairfax Water, cable television, telephone, storm drainage, floodplain, and sanitary sewer. Each of the utility companies may have easements which provide rights for ownership and maintenance of utility lines, but do not provide ownership of the land on which the lines are laid. For information on a particular easement call the appropriate utility.
Walkways and trails in the county are under the jurisdiction of many different public agencies and private entities. These facilities may be maintained by VDOT, the County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, the County School Board, a park authority, or privately held by a commercial or industrial organization, residential development, homeowners association, etc.
A concrete sidewalk along a public road is usually under the jurisdiction of VDOT (703-383-VDOT [8368]). An asphalt trail along a public road is usually maintained by the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (703-934-2800). Walkways and trails within public parks are generally maintained by the agency that administers the park. The Fairfax County School Board generally maintains walkways and trails on school grounds. Several large planned communities maintain their own walkways and trails, including Reston, Burke Centre, and Kingstowne, among others. For assistance in determining the appropriate agency, contact the County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services at 703-934-2860.
To request the installation of a walkway by the county as part of the School Sidewalk Program or Countywide Trails Program, call the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services at 703-324-5800.
For information on new house numbers or to change house numbers or street names, call the Office of Site Development Services, 703-324-1510.
To report damaged or missing public street name signs call the County Sign Shop, 703-934-2840.
Who should I contact with questions related to removal and replacement of trees?
As a matter of environmental protection, the removal and replacement of trees is regulated under the County Code. Detailed regulations appear in the Public Facilities Manual.
With certain exceptions, a permit is necessary to clear trees. These exceptions include, among others, clearing areas of less than 2,500 square feet, clearing for gardens and home landscaping and removal of individual trees without disturbing the stump.
Enforcement of these requirements is the responsibility of the Site Inspections Branch (703-324-1950) with assistance provided by the County Urban Forestry Branch. Both are located in the Herrity Building.
The Tree Commission, comprised of citizens appointed by the Board of Supervisors, advises the Urban Forestry Branch in developing technical specifications and guidelines for tree preservation and protection.
To report suspected illegal removal of trees and/or clearing of land, call the Code Enforcement Branch at 703-324-1937.
To report trees that appear to pose a hazard to public areas such as streets, sidewalks and paths, call the Urban Forestry Branch, 703-324-1770.
To report fallen trees on County property, call the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services at 703-324-2837.
To report fallen trees in the road right-of-way, call VDOT at 703-383-VDOT (8368).
To report tree problems on Fairfax County parkland, call the Fairfax County Park Authority, 703-324-8594.