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12000 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
Information Desk: 703-FAIRFAX (703-324-7329), TTY 711
8350 Richmond Highway
Alexandria, VA 22309
Information Desk: 703-704-6000, TTY 711
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
12055 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
Offices of note include: Planning and Development, Park Authority, Land Development Services
12011 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
Offices of note include: Family Services, Community Services Board, Area Agency on Aging
12099 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
Offices of note include: Central Records, False Alarm Reduction Unit, Occupational Health Center, Fire Marshall’s Office
Each member of the Board of Supervisors maintains office hours to meet with constituents. You may check with the individual office for office hours.
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
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
703-324-7470
Customers may also submit complaints through our PLUS system.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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!
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.
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.
County government responsibilities are shared across different departments and agencies, which provide many services you use every day:
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:
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.
Information regarding procurement opportunities currently advertised by Fairfax County departments and Fairfax County Public Schools.
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!
The Department of Procurement and Material Management provides overall procurement and material management support.
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.
Fairfax County is a proud Virginia Values Veterans (V3)-certified organization.
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.
Photocopies (self service; black & white only) |
$0.25/side/page |
Fax (incoming and outgoing) |
$1.00/page |
Printouts (black & white only) |
$0.25/page |
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:
You may link to these websites as helpful starting points for more information:
To Promote Justice by Providing All Citizens with Access to Legal Information
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.
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:
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.
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.
Older 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.
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:
The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) offers an extensive collection of webpages dedicated to our rich natural history and its conservation.
Learn about some of the significant moments in Fairfax County's history over the last 275 years.
Department, Agency and Council Histories
Supervisor District Histories
Land Use and Development
Historic Landmarks and Locations
Recognitions