February 11, 2026
The 2026 Unit Price Schedule (UPS) will go into effect on March 1, 2026. This formulaic change reflects a 2.8% increase linked to inflation as published in the Engineering News-Record 2026 Construction Cost Index (published in February 2026). Affected submittals include the following:New bond requests.Replacement bond requests.Bond extension requests.Bond reduction requests.New conservation deposit requests.Replacement conservation deposit requests.Future construction deposit requests.In the case of development agreement extension and replacement requests, if the estimated value using the 2026 UPS exceeds the existing posted amount, the county will require supplemental security before approval of the request. As noted above, all bond reductions must be calculated using the 2026 UPS.The 2026 UPS will be available at the Forms & Publications Library on March 1, 2026.If you have any questions, please contact Morgan Wolfe in the Bonds and Agreements Center at 703-324-1519, TTY 711.When a land development project is initiated in Fairfax County, improvements to the public infrastructure, such as streets, sidewalks, utilities and other bondable items, may be required. Learn more about Bonds and Agreements.
February 11, 2026
Click to download PDF
Land Development Services (LDS) Building Division (BD) has updated the Sewer and/or Water Service Connection Agreement to align with the requirements of the Code of the County of Fairfax.These updates clarify when a single sewer and/or water service connection may serve more than one building or business establishment on a lot and ensure that all such arrangements are properly documented, legally enforceable, and consistent with County Code provisions.The updated Sewer and/or Water Service Connection Agreement is available directly at the link below:Click here for a copy of the Sewer and/or Water Service Agreement FormThe document is also available through the LDS Forms and Publication Library.Applicants and design professionals should begin using the updated agreement immediately for all applicable projects.If you have any questions regarding when this agreement is required or how it applies to your project, please contact the Fairfax County Building Division at (703) 222-0801, TTY 711.
February 11, 2026
Fairfax County Land Development Services has published guidance to help property owners, contractors, and design professionals understand how construction on one property can affect trees on an adjoining property. Excavation, grading, and equipment activity near property lines can damage root systems that often extend well beyond the trunk, creating long-term decline or failure of otherwise healthy trees. The guidance encourages early communication between neighbors, review of approved development plans, and use of certified arborists to evaluate potential impacts and recommend practical protection measures such as root zone barriers, adjusted grading limits, and monitoring during construction. This guidance was created to improve awareness of shared responsibility and to promote proactive steps that reduce conflict while protecting community tree canopy.Industry professionals are encouraged to incorporate consideration of neighboring trees early in site planning and construction sequencing. Recommended practices include verifying limits of disturbance near property lines, documenting existing tree conditions, coordinating access agreements when protective measures are needed off-site, and consulting a qualified arborist when significant roots may be affected. These actions can help avoid damage, project delays, and post-construction claims.