Land Development Services

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 customers and assist new customers in navigating the permitting process, staff at LDS has spent the past several months developing a comprehensive permit library for each record type available in PLUS. Within the permit library, customers will find a page devoted to each record type providing guidance through the application and approval process. A “record” is any application submitted in PLUS, including permits, plans and other miscellaneous project types such as damage reports and critical structure requests.

In addition to developing detailed content for each permit library guide, staff worked with a web design consultant to ensure the layout for each page is intuitive and user friendly. Our goal is to make the permitting process easier and more transparent to our valued customers.

Each permit library page is formatted in a similar way to provide predictability and consistency across each record type by including the following information:

• The first section of each guide gives a detailed description of what projects are applicable under the record type. For example, for the residential addition/alteration record type, the description begins, “Residential additions and alterations include renovations, decks, finished basements and more…”
• Quick links at the top of each page take customers to specific sections.
• An explanation of who should apply for the record type – property owners or contractors.
• Useful links and resources to help plan for your project.
• Guidance on submitting applications in PLUS along with relevant YouTube tutorials.
• Detailed information on requirements to complete your application in PLUS. (Requirements may include architectural plans, house plats or other documents and authorizations.)
• An explanation of what happens after applications are submitted including how review works, who is reviewing your application, any fees due and the estimated timeframe for review and approval.
• Once customers reach permit or plan issuance, the permit guides explain how to access the permit card and other approved documents in PLUS.
• Depending on the record type there may be additional sections providing information on the inspections process, conservation/bond release, occupancy and more.

LDS will continue to strive to bring excellent customer service to the Fairfax County community. Staff believes the permit library is a big step forward in furthering that commitment by providing our customers with the tools to succeed. Thank you for your commitment to building safely by applying for land development permits through Fairfax County.

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 YouTube video and visit the Residential Truss Web page in the LDS Permit Library.

If you receive the below error message, please contact the Residential Fast Track team at 703-222-0801, TTY 711, or via email at LDSResTruss@fairfaxcounty.gov.

For assistance uploading documents into PLUS, please contact the Customer Experience Team at 703-222-0801, TTY 711.

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

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

To identify these conditions, Land Development Services (LDS) staff developed two new Flood Risk Analysis Tools as part of the Floodplain Viewer and the Drainage Basin Delineation Tool. The new data layers:

• Potential Sump Conditions Layer.
• Overland Relief Flow Accumulation Layer.

These two layers are the result of analysis performed on a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) derived Bare Earth Digital Elevation Model (DEM).

The Potential Sump Conditions layer highlights locations of sumps, or bowl-shaped depressions, where water pools and is unable to drain until the depression fills and overtops. Where structures are within such sump areas those structures may be subject to flood risk. Flooding can also occur when there is a stormwater inlet in the sump, and it becomes overwhelmed due to the magnitude of incoming flows. This layer includes the volume and three-dimensional surface area of the sump areas.

The Overland Relief Flow Accumulation Layer helps to visualize the natural overland runoff flow paths, including paths into and out of sumps. The flow path is strictly based on the bare earth elevation. This provides a clear picture of where the water flows when there is no stormwater management in place, or the infrastructure is overwhelmed.   

Fairfax County uses the Flood Analysis Tools to better assess and review flood risk. Applications for the tools include: 

• Assessing existing site conditions when responding to service requests for structural, yard and road flooding.
• Evaluating existing site conditions and potential impacts of localized changes in topography during redevelopment on adjacent properties.   
• Assessing potential impacts of overwhelmed stormwater inlets in sumps on adjacent structures due to ponding of stormwater runoff.   
• Determining topographic features of the sump area including inflows, outflow and extents.  
• Ensuring that proposed elevations of entry points into new structures (i.e., areaways, walk-in basements, window wells) are adequately protected or situated away from the sumps.

The Potential Sump Conditions and Overland Relief Flow Accumulation layers can be found in Floodplain Viewer and the Drainage Basin Delineation Tool. The Potential Sump Conditions layer is available for download in the Fairfax County Open Geospatial Data site. The image service for the Overland Relief Flow Accumulation is located on our server and can be added to ArcGIS Pro and ArcMap. Please visit the Flood Risk Analysis Tools story map for more information on these new datasets.

Please review the Fairfax County GIS Division disclaimer. These layers are provided to improve awareness of flood risk but are not engineering analysis nor hydraulic analysis.

For questions about any LDS GIS apps or data, including the two new layers, please email LDS GIS.

Three Things to Know

1. 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.
2. The International Code Council created the internationally recognized Building Safety Month campaign 43 years ago to promote building safety worldwide. This year’s campaign, “It Starts with YOU,” raises awareness about the role we all play in ensuring safety in the spaces in which we live, work and learn. The campaign also makes the connection between building codes and our personal safety, as well as the important work done by building safety professionals in our communities.
3. At the proclamation presentation on May 10, Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith thanked staff and the construction industry for helping residents feel safe and confident in Fairfax County buildings. Building codes help ensure Fairfax County structures are built to be resilient during dangerous weather conditions.

Podcast: Listen to Supervising Combination Inspector Jonathan Weaver discuss building safety month and his role as a Fairfax County commercial plumbing inspector.

Related Story: First Defenders: Ensuring Safe Buildings Before Occupancy

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.

We welcome your feedback on future PLUS enhancements. If you have ideas to improve the system, please take a moment to enter them here: LDS Customer PLUS Feedback Form.

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

BUILDING

We welcome your feedback on future PLUS enhancements. If you have ideas to improve the system, please take a moment to enter them here: LDS Customer PLUS Feedback Form.

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 an “inside agency” in the expedited review process. The transfer became effective February 2023 and allows more direct collaboration between Forest Conservation review staff and the SDID site review staff.

FCON administers Fairfax County’s Tree Conservation Ordinance during the development review process. According to the ordinance, “The conservation (i.e., preservation and planting) of trees during the land development process will protect, sustain, and enhance the county's urban forest resources.” The services provided by FCON are an integral part of the land development process and include reviewing rezoning plans, infill lot grading plans, site plans, and conducting site meetings and inspections. Urban foresters use the latest science and engage with the development community to find innovative solutions to the growing challenges facing our changing urban forest.

Prior to this organizational change, DPWES-UFMD participated in the expedited review program (ESI Designated Plans Examiner (DPE) Program) as an outside agency in a similar way to VDOT and Fairfax Water Authority. Forestry review will now be conducted as an “inside agency” under the DPE program. The Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) and DPE program will reflect this change after April 1, 2023.

For questions about this change, please email Matthew Hansen, SDID Division Director or call 703-324-1698, TTY 711.

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 general county approval for model homes. Each new building permit application cites the approved Masterfile and thereby eases the subsequent permitting process.

To apply for a Masterfile, create an application within the Building tab in PLUS after logging into your account at the PLUS homepage. The Masterfile application can be found under the Administrative arrow.

LDS customers with questions about navigating PLUS can visit the LDS PLUS Support page or call 703-222-0801, TTY 711.

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 cross your site. Flooding may occur where drainageways cross your site.
• Ensure that all erosion and sediment controls are properly installed and rid of any damages to lessen the impact of erosion runoff that could impact nearby properties, roadways and adjacent waterways.
• Thoroughly inspect your sites to ensure that silt fences are properly entrenched, sediment traps and basins have adequate storage, trash containers are covered, and chemicals and other potential pollutants are stored in a protected area.

After the weather system has moved out of the area:

• Inspect your site’s erosion and sediment controls for any damages.
• Make repairs if necessary.
• Clean up any offsite contamination immediately with the advisement of your site inspector.

• Fairfax County Stormwater Management Ordinance
• Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations
• The Public Facilities Manual

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 system.

January’s Top Ten PLUS fixes for LDS customers:

Building

1. Corrected the residential trades permit logic associated with the Digital Plan Room which had erroneously required uploading plans for permits when plans were not required.
2. Created permit history “Workflow Routing Slip Report” to allow customers to see the workflow history for a permit.

    

3. Enhanced the internal tool used to route building inspectors’ daily workloads.
4. Created a programming script to generate older elevator certificates.
5. Corrected the building permit card to include the listed Mechanic Lien Agent.

Site

6. Corrected missing parcel data on converted records as well as other conversion related items.
7. Updated Licensed Professional requirement to optional and created a selection for professional wetland delineator on Water Quality Impact Assessment (WQIA) and RPA delineation records.
8. Updated PLUS to allow customers to add multiple contacts for each record. Allows for unlimited billing and secondary contact options. (Once application is submitted, additional contacts will need to be added by staff.)
9. Enabled a ‘Pay Fees’ option for customers to pay certain site-related fees without logging into PLUS. Find more information about this enhancement in this recent Letter to Industry.
10. Made several enhancements to the site inspections process in PLUS to help speed the inspection resulting time in PLUS, freeing staff to complete more inspections.

We will continue to develop and release improvements to the PLUS system to refine its functionality.

Although we have completed development improvements over the past several months, we welcome your feedback for future enhancements. If you have ideas to improve the system, please take a moment to enter them here: LDS Customer PLUS Feedback Form.

Helpful PLUS Resources:

• LDS PLUS Support
• The LDS Permit Library
• PLUS known issues and solutions
• Schedule a one-on-one, virtual appointment with LDS staff
• YouTube videos
• Upcoming Webinars
  • Feb. 15 -- Upload Plans and Documents into PLUS
  • March 8 -- Search for Information in PLUS
  • March 22 -- Scheduling Building Inspections in PLUS