Code Compliance

Fairfax County needs plumbers, electricians, general contractors, landscapers, arborists, and similar trades or service providers to ensure that our homes, offices and industrial properties are well maintained. These types of service providers are considered “contractor’s offices and shops” under the Zoning Ordinance. A contractor’s office and shop is allowed in the C-8, Commercial District; the I-3, I-4, I-5, and I-6 Industrial Districts; and, in the PTC, Planned Tysons Corner Urban District. Contractor’s offices and shops are also subject to the general standards for all commercial and industrial use, as well as additional use-specific standards. For example, outdoor storage of commercial equipment, vehicles, materials and supplies is a common feature of this use and is regulated as follows. In the I-3 and I-4 Districts, outdoor storage may not exceed 2,000 square feet in area; In the C-8 District, outdoor storage may not exceed 1,000 square feet in area; and In all districts where the use is permitted, outdoor storage cannot be located in any front yard, and must be contained within an area enclosed by a solid fence or wall of at least six feet in height. If the contractor only needs a space to store their vehicles and equipment, and there are no onsite business functions, the use is likely considered a storage yard rather than a contractor’s office and shop. Storage yards are permitted in the I-3, I-4, I-5, and I-6 Districts. It is important to remember that establishing a use requires County approval of a nonresidential use permit (certificate of occupancy), site plan, and/or construction permits. Please plan ahead. If you have questions, want to make a report, or if you are the subject of enforcement and need to contact us, DCC is here to help. You can report problems online, learn about what happens during an investigation, reach us via email, by phone (703-324-1300 / TTY 711), or visit us in person at 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 1016, Fairfax, VA 22035.  

The Virginia Property Maintenance Code (VPMC) has minimum indoor heating requirements. Here is a summary of what the VPMC requires. Living in apartments or leased residential condominiums: Heat must be provided and able to keep a minimum temperature of 68°F in rooms like bedrooms and living rooms, from October 15th to May 1st. If the outside temperature drops below 17°F, a heating system operating without noticeable mechanical defects is compliant, even if the system is not able to keep a minimum of 68°F. Working indoors such as in office buildings: Must be heated to at least 65°F from October 1st to April 15th, except for processing, storage, and operation areas that require cooling or special temperature conditions. Space heaters can’t be the only source of heat. Before using space heaters, please obtain safety information by visiting FairfaxCounty.gov and searching “space heaters.” If you are concerned about potential violations: First, always ask your landlord or property management to address the issue. If unresolved, please contact the Department of Code Compliance (DCC) – information below. DCC is here to help – if you have questions, want to make a report, or if you are the subject of enforcement and need to contact us. You can report problems online, learn about what happens during an investigation, reach us via email, phone (703-324-1300 / TTY 711), or visit us in person at 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 1016, Fairfax, VA 22035.