Land Development Services

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Friday, 9:15 a.m. - 4 p.m. Please note that visitors may not be added to in-person queues past 3:45 p.m.
703-222-0801 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Pkwy
Fairfax, VA 22035
Bill Hicks
Director

News and Information

For media queries contact Public Information Officer Danielle Badra at 703-324-2856, TTY 711, or by email.

If you need help with a permit or have a question related to Land Development Services, visit our Meet With Staff page.


Update on the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality's Proposed Amendments to the Erosion and Stormwater Management Regulation

December 26, 2024

This notice provides an update to our October 14, 2024, notice to industry on the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ's) two amendments to the ...

Reminder: 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) Required for All Building Permit Applications after January 17, 2025

Revised Parking Tabulation Form

December 6, 2024

Land Development Services’ Site Development and Inspections Division has updated the Parking Tabulation Form. The form contents are updated to reflect the changes adopted by the Zoning Ordinance amendment related to Parking Reimagined and to incorporate minor editorial changes. It has also been reformatted, reorganized and limits supporting document submissions.

All parking studies…

Great News for PLUS Customers

December 5, 2024

County staff continue to implement additional improvements to the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) to serve you better. Check out these new PLUS fixes for Land Development Services (LDS) customers.

PLUS Enhancement

LDS Customer Benefit

...

Accessible Minimum Parking Requirements Amendment to Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance Article 6, Off-Street Parking Requirements, is Effective on December 4, 2024

December 4, 2024

On December 3, 2024, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors amended Section 6100.4 of the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance to include new minimum requirements for accessible parking. The new requirements apply to any site plan, minor site plan, or parking redesignation plan accepted after December 3, 2024, for a new parking lot or parking structure, or a modified number of parking spaces in…

Revised Record Plat Review Checklists

November 21, 2024

Land Development Services’ Site Development and Inspections Division has updated the Record Plat review checklists. These updates revise outdated code references and incorporate minor editorial changes to better reflect current practices. The updated checklists include:

Master Checklist for All Plat Types Final Subdivision Plat for Commercial Subdivisions Final Subdivision…

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Permit Process Coordination for Infill Lot Development Project

November 15, 2024

Currently, applicants must obtain a VDOT permit for work proposed within the state right-of-way. As part of the county’s infill lot grading plan process, the permit applicant shows proof of the approved VDOT permit at the county’s site pre-construction meeting. The below process outlines how to successfully navigate your VDOT permit package submission with your county infill lot grading…

Separation Permits Require Routine Inspections Prior to Processing

October 14, 2024

Separation permits are used in commercial construction when a portion of the approved and permitted work is not ready for final inspection, but the rest of the project is complete. Life safety elements and code-required items cannot be separated from the area intended to occupy and inspected later. Additionally, separation permits are not intended to allow phased occupancy or phased…

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Proposed Amendments to the Erosion and Stormwater Management Regulation

October 14, 2024

Please be advised that the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is proposing two sets of amendments to the Erosion and Stormwater Management (VESM) Regulation [9VAC25-875], which is the regulation governing Fairfax County’s Erosion and Stormwater Management Ordinance (Ch.…

Revised Plan Review Checklists

October 2, 2024

The Land Development Services Site Development and Inspections Division has updated thesite-related plan review checklists. The checklist content has been updated to revise outdated code references and to incorporate minor editorial changes. The updated checklists include:

Site Plan First Submission Checklist Public Improvement Plan First Submission Checklist Subdivision Plan…

Trades Permits Change to Residential for Projects Categorized Under an R3 or R5 Use Group

September 30, 2024

For projects proposing electrical, mechanical or plumbing (often referred to as “trades”) work, an applicant will now apply for residential trades permit records for projects applying under an R3 or R5 use group, per section 310 of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, matching the…

Great News for PLUS Customers - September 2024

September 30, 2024

County staff continue to implement additional improvements to the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) to serve you better. Check out these new PLUS fixes for Land Development Services (LDS) customers.

PLUS Enhancement

LDS Customer…

Virginia Department of Transportation Issues Memorandum about Pedestrian Control Features at Signalized Intersections

Application of 2018 Masterfile Plan Submissions with the Adoption of the 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC)

September 24, 2024

As detailed in Technical Bulletin 23-07, the administrative provisions of the 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) became effective January 18, 2024, which will effectively replace the 2018 USBC on January 17, 2025. During the one-year grace period, building permit applicants may choose to use the technical provisions of either the 2018 or 2021 USBC. To navigate Masterfile…

Land Development Services (LDS) Closed Briefly on September 24

September 16, 2024

Land Development Services closed briefly from 11 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24, for an LDS awards ceremony. The Customer Experience Team in Suite 324, the Customer Information Center in Suite 111, and the Cashier’s Office in Suite 636 will close during that time. Plan review and inspections services will also be unavailable for this brief period of time.

The ...

Great News for PLUS Customers - August 2024

September 3, 2024

County staff continue to implement additional improvements to the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) to serve you better. Check out these new PLUS fixes for Land Development Services (LDS) customers.

PLUS Enhancement

LDS…

Great News for PLUS Customers - July 2024

July 24, 2024

County staff continue to implement additional improvements to the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) to serve you better. Check out these new PLUS fixes for Land Development Services (LDS) customers.

PLUS Enhancement

LDS Customer Benefit

...

Pro Rata Share Assessment Rate and Credit Changes

July 24, 2024

Reminder - effective July 1, 2024, the countywide Stormwater Pro Rata Share Assessment rate changed from $26,713.59 to $27,342.66 per increase in impervious acre; the maximum water quality credit increased from 61.7% to 61.9%; and the maximum water quantity credit decreased from 38.3% to 38.1%.

These revenues, collected during the development process and combined countywide, pay…

Expedited Building Plan Review Excellent Option for Timely Review

July 23, 2024

The Expedited Building Plan Review (EBPR) program, which has been available at Fairfax County’s Land Development Services (LDS) for over 20 years, is one of several methods provided to expedite review of permits for construction projects using certified and approved peer reviewers. EBPR is…

How to Print a Payment Receipt in PLUS

July 10, 2024

Land Development Services (LDS) staff are continuously developing resources to help improve customer access to our services. To better serve our customers navigating the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS), a new guide is available to explain how to print a payment receipt in PLUS. ...

Land Development Services Launches Residential Air/Duct Leakage Test Amendment in PLUS

July 8, 2024

Thanks to a recent Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) enhancement, customers can now submit their air/duct leakage test reports through PLUS under the new “Air/Duct Leakage Test” amendment type under their original residential building permit (BLDR)…

Special Inspections Document Uploads in PLUS

July 8, 2024

In our ongoing effort to enhance the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) and better serve our community, the Building Division is implementing an important change regarding the submission of Special Inspection documents. Effective Monday, July 15th, the county will no longer accept Special Inspection documents through email correspondence. Instead, all Special Inspection documents must be…

Stop Work Hold for Customers with Returned Payments

June 24, 2024

For any returned payments, regardless of the reason (e.g., insufficient funds, unauthorized user), a stop work hold will be placed on your account. For returned payments, LDS requires a certified check for payment – no online payments via PLUS will be accepted until the account is brought back to good standing. The stop work hold will remain on your account until payment is received, preventing…

Great News for PLUS Customers - June 2024

June 23, 2024

County staff continue to implement additional improvements to the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) to serve you better. Check out these new PLUS fixes for Land Development Services (LDS) customers.


PLUS…

Great News for PLUS Customers - May 2024

May 23, 2024

County staff continue to implement additional improvements to the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) to serve you better. Check out these new PLUS fixes for Land Development Services (LDS) customers.

PLUS Enhancement

LDS Customer Benefit

...

Newly Adopted Land Development Fee Changes

June 24, 2024

REMINDER: Land Development Fee Changes Effective July 1, 2024

Land Development Services fee changes effective on July 1, 2024. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved proposed fee adjustments from Land Development Services (LDS) on April 16, 2024, marking the first significant update since 2015. The new fees will better align with the current costs of providing land…

Great News for PLUS Customers - April 2024

April 25, 2024

County staff continue to implement additional improvements to the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) to serve you better. Check out these new PLUS fixes for Land Development Services (LDS) customers.

PLUS Enhancement

LDS Customer Benefit

...

2024 Construction General Permit (CGP) Registration Statement

April 25, 2024

The General VPDES* Permit for Discharges of Stormwater from Construction Activities, also known as the Construction General Permit (CGP), will expire June 30, 2024. Per the permit regulations, any operator who was authorized to discharge under the expiring general permit and who intends to continue coverage (i.e., continue land-disturbing activities after June 30, 2024) must submit a new…

Good News If You’re Installing an Electric Vehicle Charging Station

March 19, 2024

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized an 18-month extension for an exemption of all electrical and building permit fees for electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS). The current exemption, which was scheduled to expire on May 1, 2024, has been extended through October 31, 2025.

The exemption supports the county’s climate goal for a carbon-free Fairfax —“a future for…

Great News for PLUS Customers - March 2024

March 19, 2024

County staff continue to implement additional improvements to the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) to serve you better. Check out these new PLUS fixes for Land Development Services (LDS) customers.

PLUS Enhancement

LDS Customer Benefit

...

Electronic Parking Calculator Now Available

March 18, 2024

Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance Article 6 Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements

The county has just released an electronic calculator to assist in determining required parking for land uses in Fairfax County. This calculator incorporates changes to Section 6100 of the Zoning Ordinance. Using the calculator, you can determine the expected minimum parking…

Land Development Services Phone Tree Updated to Enhance Customer Service

March 1, 2024

Land Development Services (LDS) recently introduced a new phone tree system. This new phone tree system enhances the customer service experience for anyone calling LDS for assistance. Phone tree options changed from our previous phone tree system to enhance efficiency. See the below graphic for a list of the current calling options. If you are unsure which option is right for you, press 1 and…

Great News for PLUS Customers

March 1, 2024

County staff continue to implement additional improvements to the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) to serve you better. Check out these new PLUS fixes for Land Development Services (LDS) customers.

PLUS Enhancement

LDS Customer Benefit

...

2024 Comprehensive Unit Price Schedule

February 28, 2024

The 2024 Unit Price Schedule (UPS) will go into effect on March 1, 2024. This formulaic change reflects a 2.6% increase linked to inflation as published in the Engineering News-Record 2024 Construction Cost Index (published in January 2024). Affected submittals include the following:

New bond requests. Replacement bond requests. Bond…

Instructional Webpage Created for Navigating Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) Digital Plan Room

February 20, 2024

Land Development Services (LDS) recently launched new webpages designed to help customers navigate the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) Digital Plan Room. There are three instructional pages:

Uploading Plans and Documents: Digital Plan Room Instructions ...

Virtual Information Sessions Available for Upcoming Proposed Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance (CBPO) and Public Facilities Manual (PFM) Amendments

February 12, 2024

Land Development Services (LDS) is pleased to host virtual information sessions on proposed amendments to the county’s Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance (CBPO) and the Public Facilities Manual (PFM). The sessions will be hosted on Microsoft Teams and accessible by either downloading Microsoft…

Sign Up for Notifications for Parking Adjustment Requests from Land Development Services

February 9, 2024

The public may now sign up for notifications about parking adjustment requests submitted to Land Development Services. The Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the repeal and replacement of parking requirements which took effect on Jan. 1, 2024. The Board also requested notifications to allow members of the public to receive…

Permit Library in PLUS Includes 60+ Help Guides

February 7, 2024

The Department of Land Development Services’ introduced an onlinecomprehensive permit libraryof over 60+ help guides for all record types available in the Planning and Land Use system (PLUS). Within the permit library, customers will find a page devoted to each record type…

Staff Available for In-Person Customer Service at Herrity Building

January 18, 2024

Land Development Services (LDS) offers many customer service opportunities, both in-person and virtually. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any pertinent land development-related questions or concerns. We are happy to assist you!

If you prefer face-to-face interactions with staff, in-person customer service is available every day at the Herrity…

Great News for PLUS Customers - December 2023

January 12, 2024

County staff continue to implement additional improvements to the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) to serve you better. Check out these new PLUS fixes for Land Development Services (LDS) customers.

PLUS…

New Proffer/Development Condition Module Testing in PLUS

January 12, 2024

Land Development Services (LDS) recently launched a new Proffer/Development Condition module in the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS). Proffers and development conditions are additional requirements to mitigate the impacts of an application (e.g., a development condition for a…

LDS Closed December 22 and 25 and January 1

December 13, 2023

Fairfax County Government offices, including Land Development Services (LDS), will be closed after noon on Friday, Dec. 22. Offices will also be closed all day on Monday, Dec. 25, 2023, and Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.

LDS Customer Information Center and Customer Experience Team counters will be closed all day on Friday, Dec. 22. However, staff will be available from 9:15 a.m. to noon to…

Legacy land development system LDSNET retires on December 29, 2023

December 11, 2023

Effective Dec. 29, 2023, LDSNET, a legacy land development system, will no longer be available for use. Customers may access land development records through PLUS (the Planning and Land Use System).PLUS serves as Fairfax County’s central platform for customers to…

Great News for PLUS Customers - November 2023

December 11, 2023

County staff continue to implement additional improvements to the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) to serve you better. Check out these new PLUS fixes for Land Development Services (LDS) customers.

PLUS Enhancement

LDS Customer Benefit

...

Parking Reimagined Implementation: Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance Article 6, Parking and Loading, changes approved and effective January 1, 2024

December 1, 2023

On Sept. 26, 2023, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors repealed and replaced Article 6 of the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance. Article 6 contains the off-street parking and loading regulations for land development in the county. A copy of the approved amendment is available for review on the ...

Fairfax County Staff Provide Three-Day Turnaround on Residential Deck Permits

December 1, 2023

Staff from the Department of Land Development Services (LDS) and the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) conducted a 90-day pilot program beginning in August to test a process change that would reduce the review period for residential deck permits from about ten days to three-business days. The pilot project was successful, and the new process has been…

LDS Creates Site-related Submission Guidelines Webpage

November 9, 2023

To better assist customers with site-related plan and document submissions in Fairfax County’s Planning and Land Use System (PLUS), Land Development Services (LDS) created the Site-Related Submission Guidelines webpage. The webpage is also referenced on each site record page…

Great News for PLUS Customers - October 2023

November 8, 2023

County staff continue to implement additional improvements to the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) to serve you better. Check out these new PLUS fixes for Land Development Services (LDS) customers.

PLUS Enhancement

LDS Customer Benefit

Updates to…

Revised Erosion and Sediment Control Checklist

October 17, 2023

The Land Development Services Site Development and Inspections Division has updated the Erosion and Sediment Control (E&S) Checklist. The checklist contents have been re-organized and simplified, and outdated code references and contents…

New Requirement: Plats Must Identify Public Easements

October 6, 2023

All plat submissions, including Easement Plats and Record Plats, must clearly identify public easements. This new requirement is effective immediately and is necessitated by a recent court decision regarding Virginia Code Sec. 15.2-2265.

All plats with proposed easements must bear a note saying, “See the accompanying deed to this plat for information on use, ownership, maintenance…

Great News for PLUS Customers - September 2023

September 14, 2023

To better serve you, we continue to improve the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS). Check out these new PLUS updates for Land Development Service s (LDS) customers.

Building & Site:

Updated the digital plan room to include a PDF. Customers can download the PDF by selecting the PDF icon to see general comments as well as comments made on a specific sheet. The PDF is…

LDS Letter to Industry: LDS Launches New Permit Library

August 18, 2023

Staff at LDS have spent the past several months developing acomprehensive permit libraryfor each building and site-related record type available in the Planning and Land Use system (PLUS). Within the permit library, customers will…

New Permit Library Guides LDS Customers Through PLUS Permitting Process

August 9, 2023


Release 4 of the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS), which allows customers to create and submit building and site-related permit applications online, launched October 2022. The new platform created a learning curve for Land Development Services (LDS) customers. To accommodate this learning curve for existing…

Land Development Services Launches Residential Truss Submission Record Type in PLUS

July 31, 2023

Thanks to a recent Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) enhancement, customers can now submit their Truss Shop Drawings through PLUS under the new “Residential Truss Submission” record type. Customers only need to check the appropriate field in PLUS to start the truss submission process.

For more information about the new record type and how to submit, watch this ...

Land Development Services Releases New Flood Risk Analysis Tools

July 31, 2023

The three main causes of flooding in Fairfax County include the following conditions:

Proximity to a floodplain. Location in a sump condition. Lack of overland relief.

To identify these conditions, Land Development Services (LDS) staff developed two new Flood Risk Analysis Tools as part of…

Celebrate Building Safety Month in May

May 12, 2023

Three Things to Know

The Board of Supervisors proclaimed May as Building Safety Month in Fairfax County to raise awareness for the importance of building codes and the role that employees, builders and homeowners play in maintaining the integrity of our buildings. The International Code…

Great News for PLUS Customers

May 12, 2023

County staff continue to implement additional improvements to the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) to serve you better. Check out these new PLUS fixes for Land Development Services (LDS) customers.

PLUS Enhancement

LDS Customer Benefit...

Great News for PLUS Customers: March Updates

April 21, 2023


Over the March 31, 2023, weekend the county’s technology staff implemented more improvements to the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) to serve you better. Check out these new PLUS fixes for Land Development Services (LDS) customers.

SITE

PLUS Enhancement LDS Customer Benefit Removed Urban Forest Management Division from…

Urban Forestry’s Forest Conservation Branch Joins Land Development Services

March 30, 2023

Land Development Services (LDS) Site Development and Inspections Division (SDID) welcomes the Forest Conservation Branch (FCON) into SDID. FCON moves from the County’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) to LDS. This change will afford more collaboration amongst review disciplines and streamline the plan review process by designating forest conservation review as…

Residential Masterfile Approvals No Longer Require Grading Plan for Initial Review

March 30, 2023

Filing a Residential Masterfile plan has become easier. Long-standing practice has required the Masterfile/initial building permit application tie to a specific grading plan (i.e., individual lot or subdivision plan). With the roll out of Planning Land Use System (PLUS) Release 4 we removed this requirement.

Production builders often use master plans to seek…

Important Reminder: Proactive Steps to Guard Against Flooding

March 14, 2023

Flood Awareness Week is March 12-18 in Fairfax County. There is no better time to issue this important reminder. Storms have the potential to produce heavy rains that could lead to localized flooding, so it is vital for construction site workers to check their erosion and sediment controls before a storm.

Here are some vital steps to take:

Know where drainage patterns…

Top Ten Building and Site LDS PLUS Enhancements Since January 1

February 10, 2023

The Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) is the web-based platform for all land use applications. Land Development Services’ (LDS) building and site records transitioned to PLUS on Oct. 21, 2022. Enhancements and fixes continue to make the platform as user-friendly and efficient as possible. Your feedback, along with feedback from our staff, allows us to continue improving the…

2023 Comprehensive Unit Price Schedule

February 8, 2023

The 2023 Unit Price Schedule (UPS) will go into effect on March 1, 2023. This formulaic change reflects a 4.9% increase linked to inflation as published in the Engineering News-Record 2023 Construction Cost Index (published in January 2023). Affected submittals include the following:

New bond requests. Replacement bond requests. Bond extension…

Site-related Fees Now Easier to Pay in the Planning and Land Use System

February 8, 2023

All fees for first and subsequent submissions of site plans, subdivision plans, public improvement plans, floodplain studies, and rough grading plans can now be paid without the need for the payer to be logged into the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS).

Here are the steps:

Make sure you have the record ID of the plan to which you want to make a payment. Go to ...

Good News If You’re Installing an Electric Vehicle Charging Station in 2023

January 25, 2023

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized the exemption of all electrical, building and sign permit fees for electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) for a trial period of 18 months. The exemption was effective Oct. 31, 2022.

The exemption supports the main vision of the Carbon-Free Fairfax initiative—“a future for Fairfax County that is healthy, sustainable, and…

Amended LDS Fees Schedule Effective Oct. 31, 2022, Corresponding with PLUS Release 4

October 27, 2022

Release 4 of the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) will launch Oct. 31, 2022, and will replace the existing land use, plan review, inspections and complaint systems (including FIDO, PAWS and ProjectDox). In preparation for PLUS, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted amendments to Appendix Q – the Land Development Services (LDS) Fee Schedule of the ...

LDS Has Updated the RPA Exemption/Exception Request Form

September 21, 2022

Fairfax County Land Development Services (LDS) has updated the Resource Protection Area (RPA) Exemption/Exception Request Coversheet.

The latest revision clarifies forms and documents required for different types of…

New 3rd Party Construction Inspection Checklist and Certification: Underground Detention Chamber (Detention Only)

September 20, 2022

The Department of Land Development Services (LDS) developed a new 3rd Party Construction Inspection Checklist and Certification form for underground detention chambers submitted to meet the detention requirements for development plans. This checklist…

CDP/FDP Are No Longer Required to be Submitted to LDS Within Site-related Plans

September 16, 2022

Effective immediately, zoning documents, including Conceptual Development Plans and Final Development Plans (CDPs/FDPs), are not required to be submitted as plan sheets within site-related plans governed by approved zoning cases.

For all resubmissions of currently pending site-related plans, Land Development Services (LDS) requires CDP/FDP sheets be replaced with blank sheets bearing…

Learn How to Protect the Chesapeake Bay if You Live Near a River, Stream or Shoreline

July 11, 2022

The Chesapeake Bay is one of the world’s most productive coastal water bodies, and it collects water from county streams and rivers. The Board of Supervisors declared June 4-12, 2022, as Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week to increase understanding of this important estuary and the role it plays in our environment. ...

Steps To Extend Use of 2015 Building Codes for Currently Approved Masterfiles

July 1, 2022

Read the original April 19, 2022, notification.

Two changes occurring over the next eight months in Fairfax County will impact the submission of residential Masterfile plans. The first occurs on July 1, 2022,…

Learn How to Protect the Chesapeake Bay if You Live Near a River, Stream or Shoreline

June 23, 2022

The Chesapeake Bay is one of the world’s most productive coastal water bodies, and it collects water from county streams and rivers. The Board of Supervisors declared June 4-12, 2022, asChesapeake Bay Awareness Weekto increase understanding of this important estuary and the role it plays…

Under-Construction Elevation Certificate Required for Lowest Floor Elevation for Construction in the Floodplain

June 22, 2022

The 2018 Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) includes additional certification requirements for floodplain elevation certificate review effective July 1, 2022, upon conclusion of the one-year grace period for applying the 2015 USBC. This certification requirement…

LDS Launches New Notification Tool for Infill Lot Grading Plan and Conservation Plan Submissions

April 25, 2022

Land Development Services (LDS) recently launched a web application showing recent and current Fairfax County Infill Lot Grading (INF) Plan and Conservation (CON) Plan submissions: Infill Lot Grading Plan and Conservation Plan Viewer. This new web…

Fairfax County Extending Use of 2015 Building Codes for Currently Approved Masterfiles

Land Development Services Has Updated the Water Quality Impact Assessment Application

April 18, 2022

As part of our effort to ensure consistency, speed and predictably of the review process, the Fairfax County Department of Land Development Services (LDS) has updated the Water Quality Impact Assessment (WQIA) application.

The latest revision incorporates a…

Land Development Services Has Updated the Simple Subdivision Eligibility Checklist

February 25, 2022

In our continuing effort to ensure submitters have the tools necessary for successful record plat submissions, Land Development Services (LDS) has updated the Simple Subdivision Eligibility Checklist.

The updates include the…

New Technical Guidance Impacting Use of Proprietary Best Management Practices

February 11, 2022

Recent changes to the Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) Regulations § 9VAC25-870-65.D.1. impact the use of certain proprietary Best Management Practices (BMPs).

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued ...

Public-Private Partnership Leads to a Greener Springfield District

December 17, 2021

A pilot project on Arley Street in Springfield is an environmental success story. With significant community initiative and modest government assistance, 4,300 square feet of asphalt in the Springfield district was converted back to green space.

Community property within the Springfield Station Homeowners Association (HOA) included a…

New LDS Transactions Moving to PLUS in January 2022

December 16, 2021


Fairfax County will launch the third phase (Release 3) of the new Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) in January 2022.

PLUS will serve as Fairfax County’s central platform for customers to complete zoning, building, permitting and other land development processes.

Multiple transactions have…

New Voluntary Green Building Recognition Program

September 10, 2021

The Department of Land Development Services (LDS) has launched a Green Building Recognition Program to acknowledge designers and contractors who voluntarily build green in Fairfax County. The new program supports Fairfax County’s environmental vision and recently adopted Green Initiatives. The program highlights the design, construction and operation of new…

The Fairfax County Public Facilities Manual Has a New Web Address

May 26, 2021

Fairfax County’s Public Facilities Manual (PFM) has transitioned to a new platform to provide an enhanced user experience: https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/fairfaxcounty-va-pfm/index.aspx.

The ...

Countywide Collaboration Leads to New County Health Lab in Record Time

April 22, 2021

When the coronavirus pandemic reached Northern Virginia, county facilities were insufficient to meet the ongoing and future demands of a virus for a county with a population of more than 1,100,000 spread across 406 square miles. Staff at the Fairfax County Health Department knew a quick, reliable community-wide testing strategy would be critical. Attempting to “box in…

Drainage Basin Delineation Tool: Where is your drainage basin?

April 6, 2021

Drainage basins, or watersheds, are areas of land that drain streams and rainfall to a common outlet. This new interactive Geographic Information System (GIS) tool allows users to drop a point on a map and delineate the drainage basin anywhere in the county.

This is valuable data used by engineers to ensure the county’s stormwater management infrastructure is adequately…

Fire Precautions to Take in Buildings Under Construction

April 19, 2019

By Battalion Chief John L. Walser

While it is entirely too early to know what caused the fire at the Notre-Dame Cathedral, it is a stark reminder of the fire hazards in buildings under construction or renovation.

Several fires involving large wooden buildings under construction have occurred in recent years. However, there are fire…

Rainwater Harvesting

February 6, 2019

By Richard Grace

In early 2018, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) in conjunction with the International Code Council (ICC) produced a national standard, CSA B805-18/ICC 805-2018, that could be used to assist in the design for rainwater harvesting systems. This standard has been accepted by reference in the 2021 International Plumbing Code for…

Medical Gas Installations

January 1, 2020

By Aaron Morgan

(original publish date: Sept. 10, 2018)

Medical gas systems in healthcare facilities such as dental offices, outpatient surgery centers and hospitals are a lifesaving and critical element of patient care. Because these gases are so vital, proper installation is extremely important. Faulty medical gas…

Flexibility Added to Site Development Review in Fairfax County

June 22, 2018

New amendment to the Public Facilities Manual allows administrative waivers of previously mandatory provisions

Recently, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the Public Facilities Manual (PFM) that provides greater flexibility during the site development…

Fairfax County Participates in Worldwide Campaign to Promote Building Safety

April 30, 2018

In May 2018, Fairfax County is participating in the 38th annual Building Safety Month, a worldwide campaign presented by the International Code Council, its members and partners to promote building safety. First observed in 1980, Building Safety Month raises awareness about critical safety issues from structural to fire prevention, plumbing and mechanical systems, and energy…

Fairfax County Receives High Rating for Building Code Effectiveness

February 20, 2018

Fairfax County Land Development Service’s Building Division has been awarded the highest achievable rating for building code effectiveness under the current Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.

The division has been given a 1 / 2 (commercial / residential) rating by Insurance Services Offices, Inc. (ISO) on the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS). Working on…

Developers Recognized at 2017 Land Conservation and Tree Preservation Awards

February 2, 2018

Fairfax County is proud to honor development projects that offer both economic development and environmental protection. The county recognized winners of the…

Cluster Toilet Rooms

January 1, 2020

By Anurag Baral

(original publish date: Aug. 17, 2017)

If you read Section 1109.2 of the 2018Virginia Construction Code (VCC), you are provided with location requirements for accessible restrooms. If you pay particular attention to Exception 3, you will note that while it specifies how many…

Plumbing Fixture Calculations in Group E Occupancies

January 1, 2020

By Richard Grace

(original publish date: May 19, 2016)

Virginia Plumbing Code Section 403.1 dictates the minimum number of plumbing fixtures in a space based on its occupancy (function) and occupant load (maximum number of people). The building code requires the occupant load of the space to be calculated using its entire…

Mechanical Ventilation

January 1, 2020

By Aaron Morgan and Jay Riat

(original publish date:July 7, 2016)

Every occupied space of a building must be ventilated naturally or mechanically. If choosing mechanical means, the minimum outdoor airflow rate of the HVAC system must be calculated in accordance to Section 403.3 of theVirginia Mechanical Code. Because the…

Circuit Directory Markings

July 1, 2021

By Krishna Loomba

A simple issue plagues many electrical plans that can be easily remedied and potentially prevent a plan review rejection. Circuit directories, required on the electrical plans and in the field on switchboards and panelboards, are often incomplete, vague and lack specific detail. Article 408.4(A) of the 2017National Electrical Code requires…

Quick Reference for Tenant Layouts

March 20, 2017

By Brian Foley

Two questions that often plague architects when designing a tenant improvement plan in an existing building are: 1) What’s the type of construction? 2) What code was the base building designed under? With regards to Question 1, the Building Division suggests the following tools:

Land…
Fairfax Virtual Assistant