Department Resources

ADU and WDU Resources for Developers

The resources below are intended to assist developers in navigating the process pertaining to the development of Affordable Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Workforce Dwelling Units (WDUs) in Fairfax County.

If you have any questions pertaining to either rental or for-sale ADUs and WDUS, please email us at RHA@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-246-5000, TTY 711.

The Affordable Dwelling Unit Program was established when the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the Affordable Dwelling Unit Ordinance in July 1990. The ADU Program is established to assist in the provision of affordable housing for persons of low and moderate income. The program is designed to promote a full range of housing choices and to require the construction and continued existence of affordable dwelling units that are integrated and dispersed within the development. The program is administered under Article 5 § 5101 of the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance.

General Reference:

Notice of Availability and Offering Agreement
- PDF Version
- Microsoft Word Version
Schedules A, B and C
Rider to Residential Contract
Monetary Lien and Fairfax County ADU Program Purchaser Certificate
For Sale ADU Covenants (Please note the controls regarding lending, financing, foreclosure and repurchase rights of the FCRHA)
ADU Pricing Guidelines and Specifications
ADU Schedule and Calculation Forms (Excel Spreadsheet)

The Workforce Dwelling Unit Program is a proffer-based incentive to encourage housing development at a variety of affordability levels throughout Fairfax County. The countywide policy was established in 2007 as an amendment to the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan. In 2010, a subsequent policy amendment was adopted specifically with reference to the redevelopment of Tysons. Both the countywide and Tysons policies were updated in 2021 and 2024 to adjust for current market conditions and to better meet the growing need to serve county residents with low- and moderate income, with updates to the associated Administrative Policy Guidelines in 2021 and 2025.

General Reference:

Comprehensive Plan – Policy Plan (see Housing and Land Use sections)
2025 Workforce Dwelling Unit Administrative Policy Guidelines (Currently Adopted Version)
Historic Versions of the Administrative Policy Guidelines:
WDU Income Eligibility Limits
WDU Multifamily Rents

Notice of Availability and Offering Agreement
- Countywide Policy
- Tysons Policy
Declaration of Covenants
- Countywide Policy
- Tysons Policy
First Rider
- Countywide Policy
- Tysons Policy

In June 1993, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the Fairfax County Relocation Guidelines to aid developers and owners of residential projects proposed for demolition, substantial rehabilitation, or conversion in the development of a Relocation Assistance Plan for their current residents/tenants. Assistance to tenants in the form of relocation benefits and advisory assistance can eliminate costly evictions and project delays while, at the same time, provide displaced persons with the necessary assistance to move to replacement housing for low- and moderate-income persons.

Key Reference:

Fairfax County Relocation Guidelines

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Housing and Community Development

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Department Resources

ADU and WDU Resources for Developers

Affordable Dwelling Unit Program

Program Description and General Reference

For Sale ADU Resources

Rental ADU Resources

Workforce Dwelling Unit Program

Policy Description and General Reference

For Sale WDU Resources

Rental WDU Resources

Fairfax County Relocation Guidelines

Description and General Reference

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES

Recent Interactions

Ask Fairfax