703-324-1770
TTY 711
Brian Keightley,
Division Director, Urban Forest Management
NEVER touch a downed wire and stay away and never attempt to approach or touch trees or limbs that contact power lines. Trees conduct electricity and should be considered extremely dangerous.
To report downed trees affecting power lines or pruning along power lines:
Fairfax County has no legal authority to require the removal of hazardous tree(s) that are located on private property unless the tree(s) threaten the public at large.
When there is a dispute between neighbors about a potentially hazardous tree, this is a civil issue and Fairfax County will not take action in these situations.
The responsibility for hazardous trees on public property generally lies with the agency that owns or maintains the property. To find out who owns the property in Fairfax County, use the Department of Tax Administration ICARE property search or the GIS Jade map application.
A tree that is already down and on the ground is not considered hazardous unless it is blocking a street or road. For public streets and roads call VDOT 1-800-367-7623. For county streets and roads call Maintenance and Stormwater Management 703-877-2800.
The following links contain contact information for hazardous trees on public and private property.
Tree Location | Who to Contact | Website |
---|---|---|
On Your House | Get everyone safely out of your house. Use your cellphone or go to a neighbor’s house and call 9-1-1 | If A Tree Falls On Your House Watch video 1:34. |
On Power Lines | Never touch a downed wire or trees in contact with power lines. Dominion Power: 1-866-366-4357 NOVEC: 1-888-335-0500 |
Dominion Energy Outages NOVEC Outage Center Downed Trees on Power Lines |
Posing Hazard to Public Areas | Fairfax County Urban Forestry at 703-324-1770 | TTY 711 | Hazardous Trees On Private Property |
On Private Property | Removal is the property owner’s responsibility. | Tree Removal |
If a county-owned tree caused property damage, submit a claim | Property Damage and Injury Claim Reporting | |
Near Public Streets and Roads | Virginia Department of Transportation at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623) | TTY 711 | VDOT’s online reporting form |
Sidewalks | View online map for maintenance responsibility | Walkway Maintenance Online Map |
Virginia Department of Transportation at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623) | TTY 711 | VDOT’s online reporting form | |
Fairfax County Maintenance and Stormwater Management at 703-877-2800 | TTY 711 | Walkway Maintenance | |
On County Parkland | Fairfax County Park Authority at 703-324-8594 | TTY 711 | Tree and Debris Removal from Parkland |
In Northern Virginia Regional Parks | NoVa Parks at 703-352-5900 | Northern Virginia Regional Parks |
On County Property | Fairfax County Facilities Management at 703-324-2886 | TTY 711 | |
At a County Construction Site | Construction hotline at 703-324-7470 | Construction Site Complaints |
On Fairfax County Public Schools Property | Fairfax County Public Schools Facility Management at 703-764-3500 | Fairfax County Public Schools |
Near Stormwater Management Ponds | Fairfax County Maintenance and Stormwater Management at 703-877-2800 | TTY 711 | Contact Maintenance and Stormwater Management |
Land Development Services (LDS) - Public Records - plan review and site inspection questions
LDS Net - Site Plan, Grading Plans, and Zoning Records Search
Construction Site Complaints - submit or view interactive map of recent construction site complaints
Community Complaint Form - submit or search for complaints about possible illegal land clearing, tree removal, zoning, property maintenance or land use/construction code violations
How to recognize the signs of poor tree health and learn what to do if a tree falls in your yard.
Fairfax County strives to enhance the quality of life in our community by ensuring the vitality of the urban forest and preserving the natural environment. Compatibility between the developed and natural communities is promoted through science, education, shared knowledge and strong partnerships. The Urban Forest Management Division (UFMD) is the primary county agency responsible for ensuring that development plans comply with the Tree Conservation Ordinance and monitoring pests that threaten the health of the forest in Fairfax County.
For the benefit of everyone, trees are protected by a set of policies, standards, ordinances and regulations.