The City of Fairfax is committed to preserving the livability of neighborhoods. Established codes and ordinances are the framework to ensure public health and safety. Through a proactive, and sometimes complaint driven, approach City departments educate our residents and businesses about responsibility for maintaining their property and the environment. Information on the most commonly observed violations is listed in this publication.

Concerns can be shared directly with a specific City department or to the City's Neighborhood Concerns Hotline at 703-385-7800 (from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, excluding holidays) or by using the Fairfax City Resolve Online Reporting System. Information received is maintained as confidential outside a court of law. The principal departments for handling these violations have been indicated below.

Code Administration: Fairfax City Resolve Online Reporting System or 703-385-7830
Building and Fire Code permits; Overcrowding; Blocked exits; Unmaintained fire protection systems; Open burning; Tall grass and Fairfax City Resolve Online Reporting System weeds; Exterior maintenance of buildings or structures; Rodent infestation; Smoke detectors; Inoperative vehicles on private property; Hoarding; Hazardous materials; Hazardous trees; and Vacant structures.

Police Department: Fairfax City Resolve Online Reporting System or 703-385-7924
Animals; Loud parties; Noise violations; On-street parking

Public Works: Fairfax City Resolve Online Reporting System or 703-385-7810
Signs placed in the City right-of-way; Safety hazards on public streets.

Zoning: Fairfax City Resolve Online Reporting System or 703-385-7820
Property improvement projects; Home occupation; Parking on grass; Accessory structures; Accessory dwelling units (more than one household); Erosion and sediment control; Driveways; Multiple families or dwelling units in single-family house; Fences; Temporary storage units; Temporary signs; Tree removal; Outdoor storage

What are some widely observed violations?

Exterior Maintenance of Structures 
Peeling, flaking and chipped paint. Damaged or missing siding. Exterior walls with holes, breaks, or deteriorated materials. Roof defects. Deteriorated decks. Missing address numbers.

Overcrowding 

Dwelling units occupied by more residents than permitted. Restaurants, bars, and other businesses with more customers than the approved occupant load.

• What is a dwelling?
  A building that contains one or two dwelling units used, intended or designed to be used, rented, leased, let or hired out to be occupied for living purposes.

• What is a dwelling unit?
  A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.  Dwelling unit includes the following: accessory dwelling units, single family, duplex, townhouse, and multistory residential.

Inoperative Vehicles 
Vehicles that are not in operating condition, or without valid license plates nor valid inspection decal, and that are not shielded or screened from view.

Commercial Vehicles 

Commercial Vehicles 
Commercial vehicles, such as buses, trucks and vans parked on streets in residential zones, except for a reasonable time while a delivery is being made or work is being performed.

Commercial vehicles kept on grassy / unpaved areas in the side and rear yards not meeting the screening requirements. 

Recreational Vehicles (Non-Commercial Motor Vehicle)
Recreational vehicles parked overnight on residential streets.
Code of Ordinances Chapter 98

Tall Grass and Weeds 
Grass and weeds taller than six inches.
Code of Ordinances Chapter 38

Improper Storage of Garbage 

Garbage, trash, rubbish, cardboard, etc. not stored in approved containers and/or placed out for collection at the wrong time.

Construction and demolition debris created by a contractor and placed out for regular collection by City Refuse and Recycling.
Code of Ordinances Chapter 74
Code of Ordinances Chapter 38

Construction Permits 
Conducting construction of or to a building or structure to include repairs, alterations, additions, or demolition. Examples: decks, interior wall, wiring for a new circuit, new gas appliances, fire protection equipment, sewer lateral, remodel of bathroom or kitchen, doors or windows.

Fire Prevention 
Blocked or otherwise obstructed exits. Non-illuminated exit signs. Unwanted fire alarms. Use of extension cords as permanent wiring. Improper storage of combustible materials. Burning yard debris or other materials. Fire lane obstruction. Unauthorized release of hazardous materials or the illicit discharge of chemicals. 

Rental Property 

Renting a dwelling or dwelling unit without obtaining a Rental Occupancy Permit.

Smoke Alarms 

Failure to have the required, properly installed, or maintained smoke alarm(s) in every dwelling and dwelling unit.

Accessory Structures
Installing an accessory structure in an unapproved Zoning district; or without Zoning and Building Permits. 

If you have questions: Code Administration: email or call us at 703.385.7830

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