Land Development Services Alert:
Proposed Amendments to Appendix Q of The Code of the County of Fairfax, Virginia (County Code) regarding adjusting the fees charged by Land Development Services (LDS) for plan review, permits, and inspection services.
On March 3, 2026, the Board of Supervisors (Board) authorized public hearings on amendments to Appendix Q of the Code of the County of Fairfax, Virginia before the Planning Commission on April 8, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. and before the Board on April 14, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. If adopted by the Board, the amendment will become effective at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2026
Pursuant to authority granted by inter alia, Code of Virginia §§15.2-2241(A)(9), 15.2-2286(A)(6), 62.1-44.15:27(H)(4), 36-98.3, 36-105(D)(1), 62.1-44.15:28(9), 62.1-44.15:29, 15.2-107, 15.2-2204, the amendment proposes an approximately five percent increase in all fees with certain exceptions. The proposed five percent increase does not apply to elevator permits and inspections, technology surcharge, code academy levy, or zero fee applications–each of which will remain unchanged. The amendment also proposes minor adjustments to the five percent increase for smaller fees where five percent does not round to a penny. The amendment further proposes a 50% increase in fees related to major Water Quality Impact Assessments (WQIA) and exceptions under Article 6 of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 118 of the County Code) which require a public hearing. Additionally, minor editorial changes are being made to Appendix Q (Land Development Fee Schedule).
The Board of Supervisors may make appropriate changes or corrections to the proposals as a result of the hearing. Questions regarding these proposed amendments to Appendix Q (Land Development Fee Schedule) may be directed to Tonya Mills of Land Development Services at 703-324-8772, TTY 711.
Copies of the proposed ordinance amendment and information relating thereto are on file and may be examined online at Public Facilities Manual and County Code Amendments.
Spring is the time of year when Fairfax County highlights building safety. International building codes and state building codes exist to ensure the integrity and safety of all building occupants in the county, for those in residences such as single-family homes to everyone frequenting commercial buildings such as offices and restaurants. To learn about building safety and health standards, permitting for decks and home improvements, and more, everyone is invited to participate in the first annual Building Safety Month Resource Fair on Wednesday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Herrity Building (12055 Government Center Pkwy). RSVP to the resource fair.
The resource fair, sponsored by Fairfax County Land Development Services (LDS), will include classes offered to homeowners to learn more about the permitting process and about building decks. Partner agencies in the land development process from around the county will be setting up tables outside of the Herrity building to provide educational information about building safety. At 10:30 a.m., there will be a Building Safety Month proclamation delivered by Sully District Supervisor and Board Vice Chair Kathy Smith. There will be snacks and prizes available to residents who engage with the resource fair tables.
Classes and Kids Activities offered during the resource fair:
We know the permitting process is not the most fun part of improving your home; the fun comes when you invite your family and friends to enjoy the new addition. But the permit, plan review and inspection process ensure that all your loved ones you invite into your home are safe.
If you’re not able to attend the resource fair, you can learn about building safety and permitting online:
If you need more assistance, feel free to visit the Herrity building for in-person customer service at Suite 324 or call at 703-222-0801, TTY 711.
During this building safety month, we thank construction workers, contractors, homeowners, building owners and county staff for working together toward safe buildings and safe communities.
On February 17, 2026, the Board of Supervisors (Board) authorized public hearings on amendments to the PFM before the Planning Commission on March 11, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. and before the Board on April 14, 2026, at 2:30 p.m.
Miscellaneous amendments are proposed to the Public Facilities Manual (PFM), including but not limited to: (1) Reducing the recommended sanitary sewer design flow rates for single-family, multi-family, and office developments, and specifying design flow rates for new categories of common commercial and medical uses. (2) Updating and reducing the peak flow rates for existing and new sanitary sewer infrastructure. (3) Updating miscellaneous PFM provisions to align with recent updates to the Erosion and Stormwater Ordinance (County Code Chapter 124.1) and the Virgina Stormwater Handbook. (4) Updating PFM provisions related to stacked townhomes to align with the Zoning Ordinance (County Code Chapter 112.1). (5) Updating Plate 20-7 related to the construction of driveway entrances along existing streets to align with Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) standards. (6) Codifying current policies related to sump pump discharge locations for single-family detached developments.
For detailed information on the proposed amendments and public hearing schedule, visit Public Facilities Manual and County Code Amendments.
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:
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.
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 Form
The 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.
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.
Fairfax County has been made aware of fraudulent emails sent to applicants that appear to come from the Department of Planning and Development. These messages may reference real application numbers or upcoming hearings and may include fake invoices requesting wire transfers or other forms of payment.
These emails are not from the county. Staff will never request payment through unsolicited emails, wire transfers or invoices sent outside of the official PLUS system. Official fee payments are exclusively processed through the PLUS system using ACH/eCheck, credit card or, in limited instances, a physical check.
If you receive an email that seems suspicious, contains unexpected payment instructions (especially a request for a wire transfer), or appears to impersonate a county employee:
Protect yourself by confirming the source of any financial request before responding. Read the full NewsCenter Article about these scams.
On December 9, 2025, the Board of Supervisors (Board) adopted amendments to Chapter 124.1 (Erosion and Stormwater Management Ordinance). The amendments update Chapter 124.1 to implement changes to the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Regulation (Regulation) and clarify existing requirements in the Erosion and Stormwater Management Ordinance. The changes to the water quality control requirements related to the Regulation were implemented by Land Development Services on July 1, 2025, as required by the Regulation (See Letter to Industry #25-05). For detailed information on the adopted amendments, visit Public Facilities Manual and County Code Amendments | Land Development Services.
Living shorelines are effective strategies that can be utilized along tidal shorelines, to protect natural resources and minimize negative impacts. Land Development Services created a Living Shoreline webpage which provides guidance and resources to support projects involving living shoreline features. This new web resource includes a map to identify tidal shorelines in Fairfax County, where living shorelines may be implemented, provides tools to guide designers in decision making, outlines the approval process to obtain necessary permits and approvals from various agencies, and offers contacts for additional support to property owners, designers and contractors pursuing projects involving living shorelines.
Pavement designs for streets within approved site related plans, must be submitted as plan revisions in PLUS. All pavement designs must be signed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer or land surveyor.
Public Streets
Pavement designs for all streets within existing or proposed public right-of-way will be subject to VDOT review, which will generally follow the workflows for plan review outlined in Technical Bulletin 26-01.
When submitting the plan revision in PLUS, the applicant must select “no” to the ESI review field shown below in the PLUS interface.
Private Streets
Pavement designs for privately maintained streets will be reviewed by Fairfax County, for conformance with the Public Facilities Manual, based on review times described in Technical Bulletin 25-06 corresponding to the timelines associated with a revision to the associated plan (e.g., Site Plan, Rough Grading Plan).
Designated Plans Examiners (DPEs) may request an expedited pavement design review through the Engineering Surveyors Institute (ESI), by selecting “yes” to the ESI review field shown below in the PLUS interface.
The ESI expedited review is subject to an additional review fee, to be billed by ESI to the applicant directly. The expedited submission must include the following statement signed by the DPE:
This pavement design is in conformance with the requirements of the Fairfax County Public Facilities Manual and is submitted for approval under the Designated Plans Examiner Program.
ESI expedited review will be completed within 2-3 business days.