In coordination with other local jurisdictions and industry, Fairfax County is adopting guidelines (PDF) which clarify Section R404, Foundation Walls, of the International Residential Code.

The new guidelines (PDF), effective September 1, 2006, address restraint requirements before placement of fill, curing times for plain concrete, brick ledge parameters and submission requirements for other foundation wall designs.

If you have any questions concerning the guidelines (PDF), please contact Paul Lynch, Director of the Residential Inspections Division at 703-324-1780, TTY 711.

The use of lumber species not native to North America and not listed in the National Design Standard (NDS) has recently become more prevalent in residential construction. Fairfax County does not wish to restrict the use of these species (i.e., ipe, spanish cedar, meranti). However, with the many species on the market today, Land Development Services must regulate their acceptance with the specific requirements listed below.

• The use of lumber species not native to North America shall be limited to decking surface installations only. Their use as structural elements, such as guardrails, joists, beams or rafters, is prohibited.
   
• Upon submission to Building Plan Review, the building plans shall include a report from a testing laboratory recognized in the United States or Canada for the decking surface material. The report shall include the following minimum data for the species proposed in the construction:
  • Allowable bending stress
  • Allowable shear stress
  • Modulus of elasticity
• The submitted building plans shall also include verification of decay and termite resistance of the proposed species from an organization recognized by a federal agency of the United States or Canada.
   
• Labeling and field identification per IBC, Chapter 17, shall also be provided. This is to ensure the specified species is the actual species installed in the field.

If you have any questions regarding the policy outlined here, contact 703-222-0114, TTY 711.

Issue:

New submission requirements associated with recommendation SW-10 of the Infill and Residential Development Study will be effective for all first submission site plans, subdivision plans, rough grading plans, bonded grading plans where the limits of disturbance have not been included in the subdivision plans, public improvement plans, infill plans, and minor site plans that are submitted on or after May 12, 2003. The details of the new requirements which were developed by a committee of private and public professionals are provided in the document entitled "Policy and Procedures for the Evaluation of Downstream Impoundments." The document contains the new submission requirements as well as the role of the design professionals and review staff in implementation.

Background:

Developers and downstream property owners share a common desire to have minimal impact caused by upstream land development activities. Impacts in the form of siltation to downstream properties, especially natural resources, may result in significant liabilities to a developer involving litigation with the affected parties that may take a substantial amount of time and expense to resolve. Certainly the downstream property owner would like to avoid damages resulting in costly resolution as well. The County can provide assistance to both parties by requesting information that identifies and quantifies existing conditions prior to land disturbance. Without definitive measurements of pre-existing conditions, it has been difficult for all parties to reach agreement on downstream damages caused by the land disturbing activities of a developer's project. Neither party is served well in these situations, which have become more frequent as infill development continues in the County. The existence of siltation that occurred prior to development can make the determination of liability even more difficult. Downstream property owners are sometimes left with no remedy for siltation on their properties because they are unable to prove that a particular development caused the siltation. Likewise, developers are unable to quantify the extent of their responsibility.

If you have any questions regarding submission requirements, please call Environmental and Facilities Review Division at 703-324-1720, TTY 711.