The ARB conducts two types of review: informal or “workshop” review, and formal review for approval or recommendation.
703-324-1380
TTY 711
Denice Dressel,
ARB Administrator
The ARB conducts two types of review: informal or “workshop” review, and formal review for approval or recommendation.
The ARB will review development concepts or proposals and give general guidance at an informal "workshop" session. There is no formal recommendation made by the ARB at a workshop session and the only requirement for supporting materials is that the idea be clearly presented whether in written form, drawings, or other graphic form. Supporting documentation may be provided to ARB members prior to the meeting but this is not a requirement for a workshop session.
When the ARB formally reviews more fully developed and detailed proposals, every aspect is looked at in terms of protecting the heritage resources and historic character of the district. In addition to exterior architectural design elements - such as form, material, and color - elements to be reviewed will include plans for:
As a practical matter, all elements of a proposal need not be reviewed at the same time. This is the choice of the applicant. When the formal review of each element of the proposal–site design, architectural design, landscape design, for example, is completed, the ARB will recommend approval, approval with conditions, or disapproval. Their recommendation and comments will be recorded in the minutes of the meeting or meetings at which the review takes place.
All applications to appear before the Architectural Review Board must be submitted electronically through the PLUS application portal.
For additional information on how to use the PLUS application portal, please visit the DPD PLUS Information & Support page. Instructional videos are available on the Fairfax County PLUS - YouTube channel.
If you have technical questions (e.g. account setup, password issues) regarding the PLUS system, please contact the Help Desk:
Two groups of submission materials are required:
Based on the complexity of the proposal, the ARB, through the DPD staff administrator, may waive or modify some or all of these requirements. Contact the DPD staff administrator for ARB member contact information.
**Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ARB submissions will be accepted electronically and there is no need to mail hard copies of the application to each ARB member.**
An application form for the proposal should be submitted by the applicant in PLUS TWO WEEKS before the meeting at which the applicant wishes to present the proposal (see schedule below). Some ARB members require paper submissions. Paper submissions must be mailed TWO WEEKS prior to the meeting at which the applicant wishes to present the proposal. Please contact staff for the contact information for those ARB members who require paper submissions.
Some proposals are more complex than others and the documentation presented should reflect this. At a minimum, documentation should clearly communicate to the ARB, and for the record, the nature of the proposal and its impact on the historic character of the district. DPD staff will be able to clarify this for each applicant. If the nature of the submission makes it appropriate, copies of the following should be submitted:
If more detailed information is available, this may be included in the package.
Samples of materials and colors. Only one set needs to be provided and it does NOT need to be sent in the package of materials to individual ARB members.
To facilitate presentations and review by the board, it may be appropriate to mount drawings on illustration or foam-core boards. Please bring your own audiovisual equipment if necessary for your presentation. Contact the DPD staff administrator if you have special needs.
As approved by the ARB, all drawings and other application materials (with the exception of actual product samples or models) should be provided to DPD staff. A copy will be retained for the record and an approved copy will be returned to the applicant for required permitting or review by other County agencies as appropriate.
For complex or phased projects, certain elements of a proposal, such as a site and grading plan, may receive preliminary approval by the ARB prior to approving all elements of a proposal. However, before a building, sign, or other construction permit may be granted by a County reviewing agency, all elements within its jurisdiction (per Section 3101 of the Zoning Ordinance) must be approved by the ARB. If the building permit submission differs in any way from that approved by the ARB, the applicant must bring all relevant materials back to the ARB for re-approval.
The Fairfax County Architectural Review Board (ARB) generally meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway in Rooms 9-10, unless otherwise indicated. Applicants should contact the DPD staff administrator, 703-324-1380 (TTY 711, Virginia Relay) for information on ARB procedures and to be placed on the agenda for a regularly scheduled ARB meeting. Please visit the ARB Meeting Dates & Agendas page for full meeting schedule.
For items coming to the ARB for formal review and action, applicants must provide a submission package containing supporting materials, drawings and/or plans describing the proposal to DPD staff two weeks before the meeting at which the applicant wishes to present the proposal for action. The applicant must attend the ARB meeting to present the proposal.
The Lorton/Laurel Hill Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) sets forth the review process and other requirements for properties within the MOA eligible area. Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) and Lorton Heritage Society (LHS) should receive any materials scheduled for action at least 30 days prior to the ARB meeting at which the action is scheduled. The dates shown below assume overnight delivery required by VDHR. Materials may be emailed to LHS, please contact the DPD staff administrator for their contact information.
VDHR Mailing Address:
Mr. Marc Holma
Virginia Dept. Of Historic Resources
2801 Kensington Ave.
Richmond, VA 23221
Materials should be submitted to the ARB members and DPD staff two weeks before the meeting for formal review and action. Materials sent to the ARB do not need to be sent via overnight delivery. Contact the DPD staff administrator for ARB member contact information.
ARB Meeting Date | ARB Submission Due Date | Lorton MOA Submission Due Date (to VDHR/LHS) |
---|---|---|
January 12, 2023 | December 29, 2022 | December 13, 2022 |
February 9, 2023 | January 26, 2023 | January 10, 2023 |
March 9, 2023 | February 23, 2023 | February 7, 2023 |
April 13, 2023 | March 30, 2023 | March 14, 2023 |
May 11, 2023 | April 27, 2023 | April 11, 2023 |
June 8, 2023 | May 25, 2023 | May 9, 2023 |
July 13, 2023 | June 29, 2023 | June 13, 2023 |
August 10, 2023 | July 27, 2023 | July 11, 2023 |
September 14, 2023 | August 31, 2023 | August 15, 2023 |
October 12, 2023 | September 28, 2023 | September 12, 2023 |
November 9, 2023 | October 26, 2023 | October 10, 2023 |
December 14, 2023 | November 30, 2023 | November 14, 2023 |
January 11, 2024 | December 28, 2023 | December 12, 2023 |