A special event is defined as a temporary outdoor activity held on private property and open to the general public, including, but not limited to, seasonal sales, the display of goods and merchandise associated with a retail use, community or cultural events, musical or arts events, celebrations, festivals, fairs, carnivals, and circuses.
There is a two-tiered administrative permits (AP) process as well as a program of events AP process applicable to special events.
All program of events applications must be submitted electronically through the PLUS application portal. Please review the 'additional information' section below for detailed instructions.
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:
As part of the application process, you must agree to abide by the standards found in subsection 4102.8.I and 4102.1.I of the Zoning Ordinance, as described below:
Standards when permitted by administrative permit:
(1) Special events are subject to all applicable provisions of the County, Federal and State Codes.
(2) Special events may be permitted on property owned and controlled by the County, Park Authority, or Fairfax County Public Schools and are not subject to the administrative permit standards in subsections (11) and (12) below and do not require an administrative permit.
(3) Special events may not be permitted on a lot developed with a single-family dwelling.
(4) All noise, including music, from a special event must comply with the Noise Ordinance, Chapter 108.1 of the County Code.
(5) If applicable, the special event operator is responsible for obtaining all required licenses or permits from agencies including but not limited to:
(a) Health Department if the event requires a food establishment permit or includes a temporary outdoor sanitary facility;
(b) Office of the Fire Marshal if the event involves propane tanks, selling fireworks, or a single tent larger than 900 square feet or multiple tents separated by less than 12 feet and exceeding a combined area larger than 900 square feet;
(c) Land Development Services if the event involves amusement devices, tents, and membrane structures covering greater than 6,000 square feet, or if the tent or membrane structure is located on a building, parking garage, balcony, or other structure;
(d) Fairfax County Animal Services if the event involves the exhibition of animals;
(e) Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control if the event involves serving alcohol; and
(f) Virginia Department of Transportation if the event takes place within the public right-of-way.
(6) Special events may not block or interfere with any vehicular or pedestrian circulation and must be located in accordance with all applicable building and fire code regulations for the purpose of ensuring safe ingress and egress to the site, adjacent streets, access to utility shut-off valves, and for fire protection.
(7) Adequate off-street parking and loading must be provided.
(8) Adequate refuse management, security, sanitation, emergency services, and other necessary facilities and services to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of attendees must be available for the special event.
(9) The entire area used for a special event must be clean and free of debris within 24 hours after the end of the event.
(10) Each special event must be in substantial conformance with any proffered condition, development plan, special exception, or special permit approval for the site on which it operates. If any zoning approval specifically precludes special events or otherwise regulates special events, including the location, hours of operation, or number of events, the zoning approval will govern in lieu of the standards in this subsection.
Standards when permitted by administrative permit:
(11) An administrative permit may be issued for a special event in accordance with the following standards:
(a) A Tier-One administrative permit may be issued for a special event that meets the following:
1. The event is limited to one day and no more than 12 hours, inclusive of setup and breakdown.
2. A minimum of five days is provided between each one-day event.
3. No more than 12 events are held for the same property each calendar year.
4. No event may occur before 7:00 AM and after 10:00 PM on Sunday through Thursday and after 11:00 PM Friday, Saturday, and before a federal holiday.
5. The total number of attendees may not exceed 150 at any one time during the event.
(b) A Tier-Two administrative permit may be issued for the following:
1. A special event that is limited to a maximum of 60 days.
2. Seasonal sales that are limited to 45 days with 30 days between seasonal sales. This use is exempt from site plan or minor site plan requirements per subsection 8100.7.D.
3. Carnivals and circuses limited to 21 days. If a carnival or circus is located within two miles from any other carnival or circus, there must be a minimum of 21 days between the events.
(12) An administrative permit for a program of special events (Tier-One or Tier-Two), other than for carnivals and circuses, may be issued for a two year period provided it meets the following:
(a) There is no subsequent increase in the anticipated number of attendees; change in event duration, extent, intensity, location, operation; or change of permit holder and provided the special event will comply with all applicable standards.
(b) The program of events may include multiple events taking place on consecutive or nonconsecutive days.
(c) An administrative permit may be subsequently renewed by the Zoning Administrator for succeeding periods of up to five years based on the applicant’s record of compliance with the standards in this subsection.
Standards when permitted by special permit:
(13) The BZA may approve a special permit for any request that exceeds the requirements in subsection 4102.8.E(11)(b).
(14) An application for any such approval by the BZA must be filed at least 120 days before the date on which the permit is to take effect.
(15) A special event as a special permit use must comply with the standards in subsections (1) through (9) above.
(1) The County may inspect the property during reasonable hours and in accordance with subsection 8106.2.D.
(2) The Zoning Administrator may revoke an administrative permit at any time if the owner or operator of the use fails to comply with all requirements of the law with respect to maintenance and conduct of the use and all conditions imposed by the Zoning Administrator in connection with the permit.
(3) The Zoning Administrator will issue a notice of revocation to the owner or operator, hand-delivered or mailed, return receipt requested, setting forth the grounds upon which the permit was revoked, the date and time the revocation took effect, and describing the appeals procedure. Upon receipt of the notice, operation of the activity must cease.
(4) These provisions do not preclude the use of any other remedy prescribed by law or by this Ordinance with respect to violations of this Ordinance.
For additional assistance, please contact the Zoning Permits Section by phone at 703-222-1082 or by email.