Code Compliance Alert:
Grass Height – On April 14, 2025, the Department of Code Compliance (DCC) began accepting reports of grass height over 12 inches. DCC will take reports through mid-October. Chapter 119 of the Fairfax County Code states grass must not be taller than 12 inches…
Under the Zoning Ordinance, front yard coverage limitations apply on certain residential properties. This affects how much driveway pavement can be in the front yard. Below is a guide to help you find out if your property is subject to these limitations.
You have to abide by a maximum front yard…
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…
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…Happy New Year! Before we look ahead to what 2025 will bring, Department of Code Compliance wanted to provide a look back at where we’ve been over the last year. In 2024, DCC was proud to deliver excellent service to the residents, businesses, and visitors of Fairfax County. DCC continues to build on efforts to provide education, outreach, and responsive enforcement actions which prioritize…
Hoarding Disorder can lead to the extreme and persistent collection of possessions inside a dwelling (hoarding). Common hoarded possessions include newspapers, trash, clothing, rotting food and even animals. Without intervention, hoarding can interfere with personal hygiene and health; access to medical care in emergences; and can create fire hazards and other dangerous living environments…
The right lighting provides benefits to your property, including safety and crime prevention and curb appeal. However, too much, or the wrong type of, lighting causes a lot of problems – like light trespass to neighbors, dangerous glare to drivers, and impacts to sensitive habitat. Not to mention that excess lighting is…
The Virginia Construction Code (VCC) requires permits for new buildings, common renovations, and projects, such as finishing basements and installing gas appliances, and for the work to pass inspection. Construction or other work done without required permits and associated inspections violates the VCC and is called “unpermitted…
The Zoning Ordinance defines a sign and regulates signs through Article 7 (Sign Ordinance). This ordinance seeks to protect and…
The Zoning Ordinance regulates fence height and the location of sheds. Here are some key points and resources for residential lots.
Fence height is limited to 4 feet in most front ...