Zoning Permits Section

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our offices are open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
703-222-1082 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 250
Fairfax, VA 22035
Leslie Johnson
Zoning Administrator

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Residence for Manager or Employee (Administrative Permit)

A residence for a manager or employee and their family may be permitted with the approval of an administrative permit when the residence is located in the principal structure, is in conjunction with a nonresidential use, and is the only residence on the property. This administrative permit is only for a residence located within a nonresidential building.

HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION

All residence for manager or employee (administrative permit) applications 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:

Launch PLUS

Additional Information

  • The application fee is $240. Fees are paid electronically at the end of the application submission process. A service charge of 2.35% will be added to all fees paid with a credit card.
  • An application may take approximately 14 calendar days to process if no additional information is requested or required. 
  • Other permits and plans to establish the use, such as a building permit, may be required. For additional information, please contact Land Development Services (LDS) at 703-222-0801.

Required Documents

An application may require the following documents:

Floor Plan of Residence: A floor plan of the proposed residence. The plan should include dimensions and identify the use of each room shown. This document is always required.

Site Plan: A site plan of the entire property. The location of the proposed residence should be marked on the site plan and the site plan should be drawn to scale. This document is always required.

Property Owner Permission Letter: A signed and dated letter of permission from the property owner permitting the use of the residential premises on the property. This document is only required if the applicant is not the property owner.

Applicable Standards

As part of the application process, you must agree to abide by the standards found in subsection 4102.7.M and 4102.1.I of the Zoning Ordinance, as described below:

Standards when permitted by administrative permit:

(1) One accessory residence for a manager or employee is allowed in conjunction with a nonresidential use. The residence must be located within the principal structure.

Standards when permitted by special exception or special permit:

(2) A residence for manager or employee may be located in a structure detached from the principal structure only if it is approved in conjunction with approval of another SE or SP use and if it complies with the applicable bulk regulations for a principal structure set forth in the specific district in which it is located. Any locational requirements set forth as additional standards for a special exception or special permit use are not applicable to detached structures occupied by dwelling units.

(3) A nonresidential use may have more than one residence for a manager or employee only if approved in conjunction with approval of another SE or SP use. 

(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.

Contact Us

For additional assistance, please contact the Zoning Permits Section by phone at 703-222-1082 or by email.

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