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

Tenant Support Services Pilot Program

Are you a business owner planning to lease space in an existing building? If your project involves 5,000 square feet or less and minor interior alterations, you may qualify for Fairfax County’s Tenant Support Services (TSS) Pilot Program. 

The TSS Pilot Program is designed to help small tenant projects move through the permit approval process more efficiently by providing early guidance, clear expectations, and coordinated review support. 

We strongly encourage applicants to contact the program before signing a lease to confirm that the space is suitable for your proposed business use. 

WHAT THE PROGRAM PROVIDES

Participants in the TSS Pilot Program receive:  

  • A single point of contact within Fairfax County government throughout the project
  • An early review of proposed business operations to confirm zoning and building code compatibility before ever signing a lease
  • A clear outline of the permit approval process from start to finish, including which agencies will be involved and submittal expectations
  • Coordinated support during the design process to reduce resubmissions and unexpected project delays
  • Expedited building permit review, with a target turnaround of 3-5 business days for complete and eligible submissions
  • Continued support through construction, inspections and issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Projects must meet the following minimum criteria: 

  • Tenant space of 5,000 square feet or less
  • Located in an existing building
  • Building height of three stories or fewer
  • Minimal structural work (non-load bearing)

  • Business (B): Offices, barber/beauty shops, clinics, print shops, radio stations, etc.
  • Mercantile (M): Retail stores
  • Factory (F): Small-scale production such as bakeries, electronics production, clothing production, soap production, upholstering, woodworking, etc.
  • Storage (S): Storage of certain goods, such as clothing, books, furniture, lumber, food products, and other such commodities

Note: Listed uses are examples. Final eligibility is determined upon review.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Submit the Tenant Support Services Interest Form.

A Staff Coordinator will contact you within two business days to determine eligibility and explain next steps. 


ABOUT THE PILOT PROGRAM

The TSS Pilot Program is part of Fairfax County’s ongoing efforts to support small businesses and improve permitting efficiency. During the pilot phase, the county will evaluate

  • Plan and permit review time performance
  • Resubmission rates
  • On-time completion
  • Process improvement opportunities

Findings will inform potential long-term program implementation.

Fairfax Virtual Assistant