Land Development Services Alert:
On June 9, 2026, the Board of Supervisors (Board) authorized public hearings on amendments to the PFM before the Planning Commission on July 22, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. and before the Board on August 25, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.
The proposed amendments include minor editorial changes in Chapter 12 of the PFM to align it with Zoning Ordinance Amendment 112.2-2024-4, which modified and added various landscaping and screening requirements in Section 5108 of the Zoning Ordinance. The amendment also updates the tree species and traits in Table 12.14 to include more native, environmentally tolerant, and commonly available tree species, eliminates species which are not recommended, and updates allowable canopy credit multipliers. The table will now reflect species which are best suited to combat the effects of climate change and have a greater likelihood of surviving. The species specified in Table 12.14 are provided as a guide for developers when deciding which trees to include on development plans to receive canopy credit requirements.
For detailed information on the proposed amendment, visit Land Development Services webpage for Public Facilities Manual and County Code Amendments.
The proposed effective date is August 26, 2026, at 12:01 a.m.
These changes will apply to Tree Conservation Plans, including revisions, submitted and accepted for review as part of a Site Plan, Minor Site Plan, Subdivision Plan, Subdivision Grading Plan, Infill Lot Grading Plan, Public Improvement Plan, Conservation Plan, or Rough Grading Plan on or after the effective date.
Tree Conservation Plans, including revisions, submitted and accepted for review prior to the effective date can continue to use the pre-August 26, 2026, PFM, Chapter 12, if the plan is approved before December 31, 2026.
Fairfax County Land Development Services has updated the Conservation Agreement (Agreement) used for land disturbing activities regulated under the Erosion and Stormwater Management Ordinance, Chapter 124.1 of the County Code. The updates align the Agreement with Chapter 124.1.
Key Updates Include:
For questions, please contact the Bonds and Addressing Center at 703-222-0801 (option 1), TTY 711 or by email at LDSBAC@fairfaxcounty.gov.
LDS is excited to announce that the Site Application Center (SAC) and Minimum Submission Review (MSR) teams within the Permitting and Code Administration Division are merging to form a singular site intake team called Site Services. This integration aims to enhance our commitment to providing industry with a more coordinated customer service approach and to streamline minor technical review services.
With Site Service’s combined expertise and resources, we will be able to offer customers a single point of communication for a broader range of site-related inquiries.
Merger Details:
Effective immediately the existing SAC and MSR email will be redirected to the above-mentioned email address. Previous webpage addresses and documents are in process of being updated to include the new Site Services name and contact information. We recommend customers update bookmarks and save links to new URLs and replace any outdated LDS documents with previous SAC or MSR mentions.
Site Services specializes in providing high level customer service and technical support across all site-related projects, including major and minor plans, waivers, plats, notices and other PLUS site record types.
Under the leadership of the Site Services Supervisor, Site Services reviews and processes application submissions by verifying completeness, confirming minimum requirements, validating scope of work, determining acceptance in accordance with applicable codes and ordinances, and completing the log out of approved plans and issuance of land disturbance permits.
The table below summarizes various Site Services tasks and associated timeline.
Record Type | Site Services Task Responsibility | Turnaround Time |
Major plan types | Prescreen Review Log Out Review | 1 day |
Minor plan types | Prescreen Review Log Out Review | 1 day |
Minor plan types | MSR Review | 2 days |
Minor Revision Review | 5 days | |
Major plan types - Fee Reconciliation | Reconciliation Review | 5 days |
| Minor Addition Walkthrough Exceptions Removal of Dead, Dying Trees & Invasive Vegetation Requests | 5 days
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If you have any questions, contact us by phone at 703-222-0801, option 1, TTY 711, by email at LDSSiteServices@FairfaxCounty.gov or online at Site Services| Land Development Services.
New statewide minimum off-street parking requirements take effect beginning July 1, 2026. The legislation, identified as House Bill No. 888 (HB 888) creates a new statute, § 15.2‑2209.4, that establishes minimum off-street parking requirements for residential, multifamily, and mixed-use development within a designated area.
A “designated area” means “any parcel located within one-half mile of the entrance to a mass transit or public transportation station or facility.” A mass transit or public transportation station or facility is a building or enhanced structure where the public boards or disembarks from mass transit or public transportation. Within such an area, minimum off-street parking may not exceed the following:
In addition to establishing these statewide limits on minimum parking requirements, § 15.2‑2209.4 requires localities with a population greater than 20,000 residents to adopt an administrative review process in which developers may ask to reduce minimum off-street parking requirements for residential, multifamily, and mixed-use development proposed on parcels not located within a Designated Area. This process must allow at least a 20 percent reduction in parking when the criteria and procedures established by the locality are met.
Land Development Services (LDS) and Department of Planning and Development staff are currently drafting language to incorporate the requirements of HB 888 into the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance. Staff anticipate the scheduling of public hearings on a Zoning Ordinance amendment to address HB 888 and other recently adopted legislation in October 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact Michael Davis, Parking Policy Specialist, in the Site Development and Inspections Division, LDS, at 703-324-3065, TTY 711.
Effective July 1, 2026, the countywide Stormwater Pro Rata Share Assessment rate changes from $27,914.41 to $28,735.04 per increase in impervious acre; the maximum water quality credit increases from 62% to 62.1%; and the maximum water quantity credit decreases from 38% to 37.9%.
These revenues, collected during the development process and combined countywide, pay for the drainage infrastructure necessary to reduce harm to receiving waters in Fairfax County, the Potomac River, and the Chesapeake Bay. The revenue also supports ongoing maintenance of existing county stormwater systems and restoration of flood damaged infrastructure.
The county determines the Pro Rata Share assessment for each individual development project as a proportion of the total estimated cost of the drainage improvement program. The assessment is based on the stormwater impact of the project measured by its increase in impervious cover discounted by any applicable credit for on-site stormwater management facilities and best management practices provided as part of the new construction.
Once collected, the assessment fees will be allocated to the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services for the program. Learn more about typical community improvement projects supported by funding from the Pro Rata Assessment fee and other funding sources by visiting the Stormwater Management page.
For more information on Pro Rata Share Assessment, refer to Public Facilities Manual (PFM) § 6-0600.
If you have any questions, please contact Site Services at 703‑222-0801, TTY 711.
Land Development Services’ (LDS) Site Development and Inspections Division (SDID) is pleased to announce the promotion of a prominent staff member into a key leadership position.
Thakur Dhakal, PE, has been promoted to Chief of the North Branch plan review team. In this role, Thakur will lead a diverse group of engineers and code specialists responsible for plan reviews in Dranesville, Hunter Mill, and Sully Districts.
Thakur has been with SDID for 19 years and has served in a variety of roles, including site reviewer, stormwater reviewer, code researcher, and most recently senior reviewer for the North Branch, where he has contributed to a wide range of projects. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated technical expertise, clear guidance, effective conflict resolution, and a pragmatic approach to problem solving. Thakur’s experience, knowledge, and dedication make him an excellent addition to the SDID leadership team.
Fairfax County Land Development Services has published revised Site Plan (SP) or Public Improvement Plan (PI), Subdivision Plan (SD) and Infill Lot Grading Plan (INF) cover sheets. In addition to the revised cover sheets, instruction documents for each cover sheet have been included to provide clearer guidance to applicants on the required information. These updates are intended to support more consistent submissions and to facilitate efficient, comprehensive reviews by county staff.
Revised cover sheets dated April 2026 must be used on all first submission SP, PI, SD, and INF plans beginning June 1, 2026. Rough Grading Plans (RGP) associated with major plans should also use the revised cover sheets. Plans submitted prior to June 1, 2026, may continue using the versions included with their original submission.
The revised cover sheets and instructions can be found online at Forms & Publications Library | Planning, Permitting and Construction (fairfaxcounty.gov). Public improvement plans should continue to use the cover sheet named Site Plan Cover Sheet in the Library. All the cover sheets are available in .PDF or .DWG format to support a range of user needs. Below is a summary of the cover sheet changes.
If you have any questions, please contact the Site Development and Inspections Division at LDSSDIDAdmin@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-222-0801, TTY 711.
As part of the county’s ongoing efforts to improve service delivery and reduce bottlenecks in the development review process, the Department of Land Development Services (LDS) implemented a targeted evaluation and reallocation of staffing resources to enhance building review efficiency. Latest efforts focused on significantly reducing residential Fast Track plan review timelines from 5 business days to 1 business day. Leadership is performing a similar evaluation of the commercial fast track program with results forthcoming.
The Fast Track Building Plan Review Program provides an expedited review of construction-ready plans for non-complex residential projects. Plans are reviewed by dedicated county staff on a first-come, first-served basis. Project eligibility for Fast Track is determined based on project scope, complexity, and code considerations. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact staff prior to submission to confirm whether their proposed project qualifies for Fast Track review.
Eligible residential projects include:
Find out if your residential project is eligible for the Fast Track program by contacting LDS staff by phone at 703-222-0801, option 5, TTY 711, or by email at LDSBuildingPermits@fairfaxcounty.gov.
For additional program details, visit the LDS Fast Track webpage today!
On April 14, 2026, the Board of Supervisors (Board) authorized public hearings on amendments to the PFM before the Planning Commission on May 13, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. and before the Board on June 9, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.
The proposed amendment includes but is not limited to: (1) establishing streetlight waiver criteria and other update to Section 7-0801 (General Information), (2) revising, consolidating and simplifying the general requirements in Section 7-0802 (General Requirements), (3) revising technical standards and criteria in Section 7-0803 (Standards and Criteria), (4) relocating and updating the nonstandard streetlight provisions now in Section 7-0804 (Nonstandard Streetlights), and (5) relocating and updating the authorization and procedures now in Section 7-0805 (Authorization and Procedures). The amendment proposes revisions to Plates 23-7, 24-7, 25-7, 26-7, 28-7, 29-7, 29A-7, and 30-7, and removed Plate 27-7 from the PFM.
For detailed information on the proposed amendments and public hearing schedule, visit Public Facilities Manual and County Code Amendments | Land Development Services.
On April 14, 2026, the Board of Supervisors (Board) adopted miscellaneous amendments to the Public Facilities Manual. The amendments became effective at 12:01 a.m. on April 15, 2026.
The proposed sanitary sewer amendment updates Table 10.1 by reducing the recommended sewer design flow rates for single-family detached, multi-family, and office development and adding design flow rates for commercial and medical uses. The amendment also reduces the peaking factors for existing sewers and incorporates the peaking factors into the PFM in both graphic and tabular format for ease of use as shown in Plates 1-10 (Peak Flow Curve) and 2-10 (Peak Flow Chart).
The minor and editorial amendments include: 1) updating miscellaneous provisions to align with recent updates to the Erosion and Stormwater Ordinance (County Code Chapter 124.1) and the Virgina Stormwater Handbook, 2) incorporating the stacked townhouse unit to align with the Zoning Ordinance (County Code Chapter 112.1), 3) updating Plate 20-7 related to the construction of driveway entrances along existing streets to align with Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) standards, and 4) codifying current processes including showing the sump pump discharge locations on the plan for single-family detached developments.
For detailed information on the amendments, visit Public Facilities Manual and County Code Amendments | Land Development Services.
