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Historic Preservation Information Sheets

In 2024-2025, Heritage Resources Branch within the Planning Division of the Department of Planning and Development (DPD-HRB) developed a new series of one-page informational sheets introducing commonly used local, state, and national historic preservation tools. This effort represents a first-of-its-kind approach in Fairfax County to make complex preservation concepts accessible for the county residents. Through this series, DPD-HRB aims to highlight the county’s heritage resources and promote their value through advocacy and education.

Below is a list of Information Sheets that were produced as part of this effort:

Cultural Landscapes

Cultural landscapes are places which show how groups of people have historically interacted with their natural surroundings. Humans shape their environment through both intentional and unintentional development of land through historic transportation routes, formally designed gardens, clearing swaths of land for agriculture, or sacred sites.

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Fairfax County Inventory of Historic Sites

The Fairfax County Inventory of Historic Sites (Inventory) is a list of historically or culturally significant resources in Fairfax County. Administered by the Fairfax County History Commission (FCHC), the Inventory was created in 1969 to encourage the preservation of culturally important and irreplaceable Fairfax County buildings and sites. The Inventory is used as a planning tool, and sites listed in the Inventory are included in the Comprehensive Plan, which encourages their preservation.

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Heritage Resource Architectural Surveys

A historic resource survey is a systematic inventory of buildings, structures, sites, and objects with potential historical, architectural, or cultural significance within a defined area. Surveyors document each resource with photographs, descriptions, and historical research. In preservation planning, surveys serve as the foundation for identifying what exists before decisions are made. They inform zoning policies, help prioritize landmarks for protection, support National Register nominations, guide environmental review processes, and allow planners to track changes over time.

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Historic Contexts

Historic contexts provide the larger story for how buildings, sites, and other resources are evaluated for importance at a national, state, or local level. Click below to learn more about historic contexts, and their role in historic preservation planning. 

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Historic Overlay Districts

Historic Overlay Districts (HODs) are areas with heritage resources that have significant architectural, historic, cultural, or archaeological value, and are protected through additional zoning regulations, which “overlay” the underlying Zoning Ordinance regulations. HODs are designated by the Board of Supervisors (the Board) and are created for promoting the general welfare, education, economic prosperity, and recreational pleasure of the public. These district regulations are administered by the Architectural Review Board (ARB), and alterations or additions to resources located within HODs require ARB review when a county permit is required.

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Historic Preservation, Placemaking and Interpretation

Placemaking is an approach that planners use which draws on a community’s unique identity, including its buildings, culture, history, and character, to create vibrant, meaningful spaces. Historic preservation supports this by protecting significant architecture, cultural landmarks, and intangible heritage.

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National Register and Virginia Landmarks Registry

The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and the Virginia Landmarks Register (VLR), are two preservation tools which are often used to celebrate and promote historic resources. Both Registers are lists of historically and culturally significant properties, including buildings, sites, structures, districts, and objects, that have been recognized for their significance in history, architecture, archaeology, and culture.

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Oral Histories

Oral history is the oldest form of historical recordation and is used in conjunction with written records to develop historic contexts and narratives. Oral histories are important historical tools, because they provide first-person accounts and recollections of significant events.

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Traditional Cultural Properties

Traditional Cultural Properties (TCPs) are places that are significant for their association with the cultural heritage of a community. TCPs can help to preserve physical places associated with a community’s intangible cultural identity, maintain a group’s traditional beliefs and practices, and can be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

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Conservation Easements

Preservation easements are a type of conservation easement which can be donated by a property owner to preserve important characteristics of a historic property in perpetuity. By donating a conservation easement, property owners can receive tax benefits while preserving a piece of history.

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Department of Planning and Development

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Related Resources

Historic Preservation Information Sheets

Cultural Landscapes

Fairfax County Inventory of Historic Sites

Heritage Resource Architectural Surveys

Historic Contexts

Historic Overlay Districts

Historic Preservation, Placemaking and Interpretation

National Register and Virginia Landmarks Registry

Oral Histories

Traditional Cultural Properties

Conservation Easements

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