Land Development Services Alert:
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.
Land Development Services (LDS) recently published the Forest Conservation Plan Review Checklist as a resource to clarify Forest Conservation (FCON)-related plan requirements on site-related plans and entitlement plans. This checklist outlines the scope of elements reviewed by staff and is shared to improve consistency, transparency, and completeness in plan preparation and review. It does not establish new regulatory requirements or modify existing standards in Fairfax County Code Chapter 122 or Public Facilities Manual (PFM) Chapter 12. It is provided for informational purposes and is not a new submission document. This checklist is used by staff during their review of plans, so applicants are encouraged to refer to it during plan preparation to minimize plan deficiencies.
If you have any questions, please contact Adam Lipera, Chief, Forest Conservation Branch in the Site Development and Inspections Division at 703-222-0801, TTY 711.
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.