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CONTACT INFORMATION: Our office is open 9AM-5PM M-F
703-324-7329 TTY 711
12000 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
Contact Name
Chairman

Parents

Featured Services

Childcare Assistance and Referral
Early Literacy
Healthy Minds Fairfax
Seat Belts and Child Safety Seats






 

View Resources for Children and Youth

Children and Youth

Featured Services

Early Childhood Programs and Services
School Age Children Resources
Park Authority Camps
Afterschool Programs



View Resources for Parents

Facilities and Locations

Animal Shelter
Court Complex
Trash & Recycling
Voting Precincts
Accessibility
Construction Projects

Government Center

12000 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035

Information Desk: 703-FAIRFAX (703-324-7329), TTY 711

Government Center building image 

  • Offices of note include: Tax Administration, Human Resources, Office of Elections, Public Works & Environmental Services (Stormwater, Wastewater and Solid Waste); Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission meet in the Board Auditorium

Gerry Hyland Government Center

8350 Richmond Highway
Alexandria, VA 22309

Information Desk: 703-704-6000, TTY 711

Gerry Hyland Government Center building image 

Offices of note include: area offices of the Dept. of Family Services, community health, career services, senior center, teen center and public rooms for community meetings and workshops.

News: South County Center Rededicated as Gerry Hyland Government Center

Herrity Building

12055 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035

Herrity Building image

Offices of note include: Planning and Development, Park Authority, Land Development Services

Pennino Building

12011 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035

Pennino Building image

Offices of note include: Family Services, Community Services Board, Area Agency on Aging

Public Safety HQ

12099 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035

Public Safety Headquarters building front

Offices of note include: Central Records, False Alarm Reduction Unit, Occupational Health Center, Fire Marshall’s Office

Board of Supervisors Offices / Governmental Centers

Each member of the Board of Supervisors maintains office hours to meet with constituents. You may check with the individual office for office hours.

Board of Supervisors Offices / Governmental Centers

Facility Use Information and Applications

 

Hotlines and Emergency Numbers

Emergency Phone Numbers

Police, Fire, Ambulance: 9-1-1 , TTY 911 or Text to 9-1-1.

Public Safety Non-Emergency: 703-691-2131, TTY 703-204-2264

Fairfax County Emergency Information Line: 703-817-7771, TTY 711

Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222, TTY 711

Roads: VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation): 1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623), TTY 711

Weather - National Weather Service Updates: 571-888-3500, TTY 711

 

More Emergency Phone Numbers

Hotlines

Emergency Basic Needs
703-222-0880, TTY 711

Emergency Mental Health (24/7)
703-573-5679, TTY 711            

Suicide Prevention (24/7)
703-527-4077 or
Text "CONNECT" to 85511 

Domestic & Sexual Violence (24/7)
703-360-7273, TTY 711     

Child Protective Services (24/7)
703-324-7400, TTY 703-222-9452

Adult Protective Services
703-324-7450, TTY 703-449-1186         

 

Active Construction Hotline

703-324-7470

Customers may also submit complaints through our PLUS system.

Fraud Hotline

If you have observed or are aware of fraud committed within Fairfax County Government operations, or by anyone doing business with the county, please call the Fairfax County Fraud Hotline to report any allegations.  The Fraud Hotline is 703-787-3243 and calls are reviewed and followed up on by the Internal Audit Office (IAO). 


Guide to Dogs

Dog Licenses

All dogs four months of age or older must be licensed.  Licenses are good for the calendar year in which they are issued and expire on Dec. 31. New licenses must be purchased by Jan. 31. License tags may be online, by mail or in person. Proof of rabies vaccination is required.

Learn More About Dog Licenses

10 Tips for Dog Owners

It’s always dog season in Fairfax County! With more than 87,000 registered pups, many county residents love our dogs (or at least like our neighbor’s dog). Of course, there are some people who are upset by excessive barking or people who don't clean up after their pets. It's important to be a responsible owner.

Check Out Our Responsible Dog Ownership Tips

County Dog Parks

The Fairfax County Park Authority has always welcomed leashed dogs in all of its parks, but owners of well-mannered canines who enjoy a good run or a friendly romp can take advantage of our dog parks - fenced areas where unleashed dogs can have free play. At present, there are eleven established dog parks. Additional off-leash dog areas are in the planning stage.

Learn About Fairfax County Dog Parks

County Code - Dogs

Did you know that a residential property’s lot size also determines how many animals may be kept? While there's no limit on the number of cats by property, for dogs the code is as follows:

  • 1 to 2 = No requirement
  • 3 to 4 = 12,500 square feet
  • 5 to 6 = 20,000 square feet
  • 7 or more = 25,000 square feet plus 5,000 sq feet for each additional dog above 7

The county also has a tethering ordinance, which prohibits tethering a dog for more than one cumulative hour during any 24-hour period, unless the dog is under the direct supervision and control of its owner or custodian. The first violation is punishable by a fine of up to $500. More information on tethering rules.


Events for Dogs and Their People

The county hosts events for dogs throughout the year. There's the Mount Vernon District Ides of Bark in spring, with games, prizes, food, events and health assessments. There are annual dog swim events in the fall when the county's pools close for the season, a Howl-o-Ween costume contest and pet visits with Santa to name but a few. Keep an eye on the county's social media sites for event information and great pictures!


About Fairfax County

Form of Government

 

Fairfax County operates under the urban county executive form of government, an optional form of Virginia county government.

The powers of government are vested in an elected Board of Supervisors consisting of nine members elected by district, plus a Chairman elected at large.

Board members are elected for four-year terms. There is no legal limit to the number of terms a member can serve.

 

More about the Board of Supervisors

The Board appoints the County Executive, who is the administrative head of the county government and is responsible for the administration of all of the affairs of the county which the Board has authority to control.

The County Executive's Office focuses on strategic planning, ensuring and valuing excellence in public service, fostering partnerships with our residents and community leaders, preparing the annual budget and executing all resolutions and orders of our elected Board of Supervisors.

More about the County Executive

Fairfax County Fast Facts Videos

Welcome to Fairfax County, Virginia

What We Do

How Our Budget is Built in Fairfax County

Who Represents You in Fairfax County

What Taxes Do We Pay in Fairfax County?

Stay Connected with Your County

County Government Structure

County government responsibilities are shared across different departments and agencies, which provide many services you use every day:

  • police
  • fire and rescue personnel
  • public transportation we take to work
  • health clinics
  • recreation centers for our enjoyment
  • libraries for books or doing research
  • and disposal facilities for our trash
Departments and Agencies

County Org Chart

 

County Org Chart

Limited Powers

Like other Virginia local governments, Fairfax County has limited powers. More specifically, Virginia courts have concluded that local governments in Virginia have only:

  1. Those powers that are specifically conferred on them by the Virginia General Assembly
  2. Those powers that are necessarily or fairly implied from a specific grant of authority
  3. Those powers that are essential to the purposes of government -- not simply convenient but indispensable
This doctrine of limited authority for local governments is commonly called the Dillon Rule, a name that is derived from the writings of John Forest Dillon, who served as a judge, a law professor and an author of legal textbooks in the latter part of the nineteenth century.

The Dillon Rule is used in interpreting law when there is a question of whether or not a local government has a certain power. The Dillon Rule narrowly defines the power of local governments. It also states that if there is any reasonable doubt whether a power has been conferred on a local government, then the power has NOT been conferred.

Home Rule Authority

The Dillon Rule as a concept is found in all states – meaning that apart from the power ceded to the federal government in the U.S Constitution, the state governments have all the remaining governmental authority. However, most states have adopted various types of “home rule” provisions that permit some or all of their local governments to undertake those governmental functions that are not specifically precluded by the laws of those home rule states. Virginia has not provided such home rule authority to its local governments.

The Virginia Supreme Court and other Virginia courts routinely apply the Dillon Rule to determine whether or not a local government has the legal authority to undertake a disputed action. For well-established county functions, like planning, zoning, and taxation, there are a number of statutes that give the county clear direction and authority to act, but in new areas of governmental concern, the Dillon Rule can serve as a constraint to innovative governmental responses.

This means that Fairfax County has limited powers in areas such as raising revenue, and it cannot take certain actions without appropriate action from the state, which limits revenue diversification options among other things.

Doing Business with Fairfax County

Doing Business with Us

Getting Paid
Purchase Order Terms and Conditions
Sustainable Sourcing
Tax Exemption
Vendor Resources

Current Solicitations

Information regarding procurement opportunities currently advertised by Fairfax County departments and Fairfax County Public Schools.

Procurement Opportunities

Vendor Pitch Portal

Interested in doing business with Fairfax County? Connect with department staff buyers through the Vendor Pitch Portal, an easy way to present your business idea, product or service offering to county agencies and departments and Fairfax County Public Schools all at the same time!

Vendor Pitch Portal

Contracting & Procurement

The Department of Procurement and Material Management provides overall procurement and material management support.

View Procurement Services

Workshops: Selling to Fairfax County

The Department of Procurement and Material Management sponsors a monthly workshop for vendors entitled "Selling to Fairfax County". The workshop is free, but registration is recommended as seating is limited.

See Upcoming Dates

Public Law Library

Law Library Online Catalog

A catalog of the Law Library collection is available online. To access the catalog, click on the link below.

The catalog is hosted by LibraryWorld Online Patron Access (OPAC) and is searchable by title, author and subject.

View the Law Library Catalog

Man sitting at desk in a library

Visiting the Law Library

  • The Law Library is open to the public, however, visitors will need to go through the building’s security procedures at the entrances to the courthouse.
  • The Law Library is a non-circulating library; books and materials in the printed collection may be read, reviewed and photocopied on site, but they may not be checked out. Black & white photocopiers are available for a per-side-fee [see fee schedule below] payable at front desk.
  • The Library’s Video/Conference Room is available for small groups engaged in courthouse-related activities during regular operating hours. Please call the main phone (703-246-2170) to reserve the room. If no reservations are calendared, the room may be used on an “as available” basis after contacting front desk staff.
  • A County training room with computers is located in the Library. Call for additional information on the use of this room.
  • Phone conversations are prohibited in main Library areas, as are unmuted operations on personal devices or Library computers without earbuds. Please bring your own earbuds, if desired.
  • No food or beverages are to be consumed in the Law Library.

Fairfax Public Law Library Staff
 

are prepared and permitted to:
  • describe and/or help locate resources in the library.
  • assist with research questions and provide access to available databases.
  • provide general information about court procedure and sources.
  • recommend various agencies, offices, and lawyer referral services.
are prohibited from:
  • encouraging customers to take particular legal action.
  • providing opinions on legal documents, forms, statutes, regulations, cases, etc.
  • choosing specific forms for customers to file.
  • preparing or typing any documents for customers.

 

Device/Computer Use

  • You may bring a personal laptop computer, as well as a phone, into the courthouse.
     
  • Free wireless internet service (WiFi) is available on unsecured networks in the Law Library and several common areas in the courthouse.
     
  • Eight (8) public computers/work stations are available to visitors in the Law Library; these have access to the Internet and word processing and are configured to one central black & white printer.

Law Library Fee Schedule

Photocopies (self service; black & white only)

$0.25/side/page

Fax (incoming and outgoing)

$1.00/page

Printouts (black & white only)

$0.25/page

 

  • The Law Library can accept cash and credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard and Discover).
  • Transaction receipts may be provided.
  • Fees are subject to change.

Fairfax Public Law Library users have free access to state and federal caselaw, statutes, attorney general opinions, and a large percentage of the major law digests, jurisprudence, legal periodicals, and treatises used in American law practice.

These databases include:

  • WestlawNEXT
  • LexisAdvance
  • HeinOnline
  • VADER
  • Virginia CaseFinder/Geronimo
  • Virginia Lawyers Weekly
  • VerdictSearch (indexed civil verdicts & settlements in Va., Md., & DC)
  • CD-ROM collection – forms accompanying book series

You may link to these websites as helpful starting points for more information:

Mission

To Promote Justice by Providing All Citizens with Access to Legal Information

Vision

The Public Law Library is a critical component of Fairfax County’s efforts to provide its citizens with meaningful access to justice. Located in the Fairfax county courthouse, the facility operates as the preeminent resource for legal information and serves the public, attorneys, judges, government officials, students, and legal support staff.

Goals and Objectives

The Fairfax Public Law Library promotes education and justice by providing access to legal texts and information technology for the general public as well as members of the legal profession and public officials. The Library serves these various communities by providing:

  • professional staff trained to provide assistance in researching federal, state, and local resources, information, and procedures;
  • maintenance and development of a law library collection oriented to diverse patron needs;
  • access to Internet and online legal resources; and
  • designated areas for research, reading, training, and meetings.

4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 115, Fairfax, VA, 22030

Phone: 703-246-2170, TTY 711
Fax: 703-591-0310
E-mail: liblawlibrary@fairfaxcounty.gov

Hours
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday, Closed Holidays
(Library follows Fairfax Circuit Court calendar and inclement weather closings)

Directions – Driving Directions (Google Maps)

Parking – Hourly public parking is available for a fee in designated public parking garage (entrances to Garage B on Page Avenue). Free parking is available in several marked lots located some blocks from the courthouse in surrounding Fairfax City, with only limited street parking in the area. Persons with valid handicapped parking permits may park near the front of the courthouse in reserved lots/spaces clearly marked for their use.

Courts & Legal Resources

Courts and Legal
Circuit Court
General District Court
Juvenile / Domestic Relations Court
Public Law Library
Courthouse Self-Help Resource Center

History of Fairfax County

History Commission

The Fairfax County History Commission was established by the County of Fairfax in 1969. The purpose of the Commission is to advise the County Government and to promote and encourage public interest in all matters bearing on the history of Fairfax County.

The Fairfax County History Commission generally meets on the first Wednesday of every month. The Commission's various committees meet on an as-needed basis.

The Commission also sponsors events in local history such as roadside marker dedications and an annual History Conference.

Related Resources

History Commission Historical Resources
Learn More About the History Commission

building and Historic Fairfax titleOlder buildings and neighborhoods in Fairfax County are part of Fairfax County's "heritage resources" and are economic and social investments that pay dividends.

These sites and buildings also tell the history of the built environment in the county, which includes Native American hunting camps and long-term settlements, the tidewater plantations of George Washington and George Mason, Civil and Spanish-American War campsites and training grounds, as well as the 20th century planned town of Reston and its 19th century counterpart Dunn Loring.

Historic and Heritage Resources (Planning and Development)

The Virginia Room collects, preserves, and makes accessible local history resources. Researchers can find historical information on Fairfax County individuals, locations, and events. It is located on the second floor of the City of Fairfax Regional Library.

The Fairfax County Public Library Guide to Local History page serves as a guide to some of our local history resources, such as:

  • researching the history of a Fairfax County property.
  • a timeline of Fairfax County history from the 1700s to today.
  • the real history behind The Bunny Man legend.
Fairfax County Public Library Guide to Local History

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) offers an extensive collection of webpages dedicated to our rich natural history and its conservation.

YouTube: History of Fairfax County

Learn about some of the significant moments in Fairfax County's history over the last 275 years.

Channel 16: History Videos

 

 

Department, Agency and Council Histories

Supervisor District Histories

Land Use and Development

Historic Landmarks and Locations

Recognitions

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