A temporary dwelling or manufactured home may be allowed where a single-family detached dwelling has been destroyed or damaged by fire or other disaster to an extent that the dwelling is uninhabitable, if the destroyed or damaged dwelling is to be rebuilt or repaired.
All temporary dwelling or manufactured home 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:
An application may require the following documents:
Sewage Disposal Plan: Describe how bathroom facilities will be provided for the temporary dwelling or manufactured home and how those facilities will be connected to either well/septic or to public water/sewer? Plans, drawings, or pictures may be included if needed. This document is always required.
Property Plan: A plat or plan showing the location of the temporary dwelling or manufactured home. This document is always required.
Damage Report: A damage report issued by Fairfax County or by an insurance company. This document is always required. This document is always required.
As part of the application process, you must agree to abide by the standards found in subsection 4102.8.J and 4102.1.I of the Zoning Ordinance, as described below.
Standards when permitted by administrative permit:
(1) A temporary dwelling or manufactured home may be allowed where a single-family detached dwelling has been destroyed or damaged by fire or other disaster to an extent that the dwelling is uninhabitable, if the destroyed or damaged dwelling is to be rebuilt or repaired, and subject to the following:
(a) An administrative permit may be issued for a period not to exceed nine months or for the period of an active building permit, whichever is shorter. This permit may be extended by the Zoning Administrator if construction of the dwelling is being diligently pursued.
(b) A temporary dwelling or manufactured home may be allowed only on a lot where a single-family detached dwelling is permitted by the provisions of this Ordinance.
(c) Occupancy of a temporary dwelling or manufactured home is allowed only if appropriate sanitary facilities are provided as approved by the Health Department.
(d) Occupancy of a temporary dwelling or manufactured home must terminate when the construction of the dwelling is completed or when the administrative permit expires, whichever occurs first.
(e) Additional conditions and requirements may be imposed by the Zoning Administrator to mitigate any impacts of the temporary dwelling or manufactured home on surrounding properties.
(f) An administrative permit for a temporary dwelling or manufactured home may be issued in a residential district.
(g) An administrative permit for a temporary dwelling or manufactured home may be issued in the commercial or industrial districts only if the single-family detached dwelling was occupied as a nonconforming dwelling use before the damage or destruction in accordance with Section 8104.
Standards when permitted in conjunction with a special exception or special permit use:
(2) Manufactured homes may be allowed as temporary dwellings for faculty, staff, or students in conjunction with the approval of a special exception or special permit for a child care center; religious assembly; religious assembly with private school, specialized instruction center, or child care center; or private school. These manufactured homes must be connected to public sewer or an approved septic field, public water or an approved well, and to electricity and must be subject to the regulations of the zoning district in which they are located. In approving the special exception or special permit, the Board or BZA, as appropriate, may impose conditions of approval to ensure that the use will be compatible with the use of adjacent properties, including limitations on location and duration and landscaping and screening requirements.
(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.