Project Overview

The Heritage Resources Management Plan Update is a key initiative being undertaken as part of Plan Forward, Fairfax County’s multi-year update to the Countywide Policy Plan. The Heritage Resources Management Plan serves as the primary implementation framework for the County’s heritage resources preservation program and supports the goals, objectives, and recommendations found in the Heritage Resources Element of the Policy Plan. 

On May 05, 2026, the Board of Supervisors authorized updating the Heritage Resources Management Plan concurrent with the Heritage Resources Element of the Countywide Policy Plan. Updating these documents together will ensure that countywide heritage resources policies and implementation strategies are aligned and responsive to current preservation needs and best practices, and community priorities.

The Heritage Resources Management Plan has not been updated since its adoption by the Board in 1988. The current effort will review and modernize the Management Plan while also informing updates to the Heritage Resources Element of the Policy Plan as part of Phase 2 of Plan Forward.

Plan Forward was initiated following Board of Supervisors authorization on December 6, 2022, for the consideration of a Comprehensive Plan amendment to update the Countywide Policy Plan. The goals of Plan Forward are to:

• Review, update, and streamline existing Policy Plan elements;
• Add new Policy Plan elements as needed; and
• Ensure the Policy Plan is aligned with the Countywide Strategic Plan, the One Fairfax Policy, and other recently adopted policies and initiatives.

Phase 1 of Plan Forward was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on December 9, 2025, and included the Preface, Land Use, Transportation, Environment, Parks & Recreation, Visual & Performing Arts, and Human Services Elements; the addition of a new Healthy Communities Element; and revisions to the Glossary.  

Phase 2, beginning in 2026, will include updates to the Housing, Economic Development, Heritage Resources, Parks & Recreation, and Revitalization Elements; the Chesapeake Bay Supplement; limited updates to the Public Facilities Element; and additional revisions to the Glossary.

Project Goals

The Heritage Resources Management Plan and Heritage Resources Element updates will ensure alignment with the Countywide Strategic Plan, the One Fairfax Policy, and other recently adopted policies and initiatives while continuing to advance long-standing Board of Supervisors heritage resources preservation goals and objectives:

• Identify heritage resources representing all time periods and in all areas of the county.
• Maintain a county Inventory of Historic Sites to recognize the value of significant heritage resources for preservation.
• Protect significant heritage resources from degradation, damage and destruction by public or private actions.
• Promote and encourage the protection, stewardship, and preservation of significant heritage resources.
• Increase public awareness of, and appreciation for, and involvement in heritage resource preservation.

Through this effort, Fairfax County will establish an updated policy and implementation framework that guides the identification, preservation, interpretation, and stewardship of heritage resources for future generations.

Project Timeline