ArtsFairfax developed this Creative Spaces Toolkit to provide information and guidelines that will assist artists, arts organizations, and property owners in the activation of Fairfax County’s vacant spaces for creative community engagement.

This guide provides information for prospective contractors in Fairfax County.

Any project valued at $1,000 or more must be performed by a contractor licensed to work in Virginia.

Journeyman and Masters (electricians, plumbers or mechanical contractors) can do work under $1,000 per contract without a state contractor’s license.

This guide provides information for prospective vendors at Fairfax County farmers markets.

The purpose of this guide is to provide information about necessary permits and approvals to operate a mobile food unit in Fairfax County. 

Mobile food units offer ready to eat foods (no cooking or food preparation), as well as food items with preparation or cook-on service.

Home-based food production is a specific type of home-based business that has its own application. Home-based businesses also require a Business, Professional and Occupational License (BPOL). 

Home-based food production businesses require both:

• approval by the Virginia Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services and
• a Home-based Business Permit from the Department of Planning & Development.

Only certain types of foods may be produced in a home, and all food items prepared in a home must be registered annually with the Fairfax County Health Department using the Cottage Food Product Registration Form.

This guide will help you open a restaurant in Fairfax County.

It contains information about key steps needed to:

• build a new restaurant or
• take over or move into an existing restaurant space.