Starting July 1, Fairfax County will implement updated fee schedules for Land Development Services (LDS) and zoning applications. The adjustments are intended to reflect the increase in costs related to inflation and personnel over recent years while ensuring the continuation of high-quality county services.
Background
The Board of Supervisors approved these fee adjustments on April 16, marking the first significant update since 2015 for LDS and 2011 for zoning applications. The new fees will better align with the current costs of providing these services, which have risen due to increased personnel costs and other inflation-related factors.
Details of the Zoning Application Fee Changes
Zoning application fees are set to increase by 17.5% on July 1, 2024. This increase is part of a planned 35% total adjustment that will be fully implemented on July 1, 2025. The minimum expenditure for Planned District Recreational Facilities will rise by 13% per residential dwelling unit in specific zoning districts, from $1,900 to $2,150, with the total adjustment reaching 26% (or $2,400) by 2025.
Certain fees will remain unchanged, including fees for select wireless reviews and family healthcare structures. In addition, the fee for appeals will only increase by 10% in 2024 and will not increase in 2025.
Updates to LDS Fee Schedule
On the LDS front, building fees (excluding vertical transportation) will experience a 12.5% increase on July 1, 2024, with an additional 12.5% increase following a year later. Similarly, site fees and technology surcharges will incrementally increase over the two-year period. New fees will also be introduced for pedestrian bridges and minor revisions to site-related plans.
The second set of increases will take effect on July 1, 2025, and include adjustments to technology surcharge fees and code academy surcharges.
All fee changes will apply only to applications submitted after each respective July 1 deadline. Applications filed before these dates will be subject to the fees that were in place at the time of filing.
Learn more about specific fee changes by visiting Land Development Services and the Department of Planning and Development webpages.
Office of the Fire Marshal Fee Increase on July 1
Starting July 1, Fairfax County will implement updated fee schedules for Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) permits and plan review rates. The adjustments are intended to reflect the increase in costs related to personnel operations.
- The fee adjustments are the first significant update since 2015 for the Office of the Fire Marshal.
- This fee adjustment reflects the impact of rising personnel costs and overall increase in operational costs.
Background on Fire Marshal Fee Increase
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved these fee adjustments on April 16, marking the first significant update since 2015 for OFM. In 2015, the hourly rate for plan reviews increased 21.9% and operational permit fees increased 20%. The new fees will better align with the current costs of providing these services, which have risen due to increased personnel and operational costs.
Updates to OFM Fee Schedule
Beginning on July 1, 2024, the hourly rate for plan review, witnessed tests, and operational permits will increase 15% going from $156 per hour to $180 per hour for plan review and witnessed tests. Operational permit fees will rise from $150 to $172, except as follows:
- 5601.2, Explosives, from $180 to $207
- 2401.3, Floor Finishing, 3501.2(e), Torch Operations, 6101.2 LP-Gas from $78 to $91
- 5601.2 Pyrotechnics and Fireworks, Outdoor, from $480 to $552
- 5601.2 Pyrotechnics and Fireworks, Retail Sales, from $720 to $828
- 5001 Hazardous Materials Facility Emergency Response Plan, from $100 to $116
- 5001 Tier II submissions and 107.10 County and State Licensing Inspections, from $25 to $29
On July 1, 2025, OFM will update their fees again with an 18% increase in fees for plan review and witnessed tests along with a 15% increase in operational permits. All fee changes will be applied in the fiscal year that the services were provided.
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