Background on the Program

The City of Fairfax Zoning Ordinance was amended on June 23, 2020 to include provisions for Affordable Dwelling Units.  Adoption of the provisions and creation of a program to support them implemented recommendations in the City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan.

Along with the zoning regulations, the City Council also adopted administrative regulations that guide the day-to-day operations of the program and authorized entering into an agreement with the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to administer the City's program.  Please click here to view the HCD website.

The Affordable Dwelling Unit program promotes the creation of mixed-income housing in new residential developments through the dedication of a portion of the units as affordable.  The general parameters of the City's Affordable Dwelling Unit provisions are as follows:

• Applicable to any new development with a minimum of 30 dwelling units that is seeking a rezoning, special use permit, special exception, or has filed a site plan or subdivision.
• Single-family developments, including detached, attached, townhouse, and duplex units, provide 10% of the total units as affordable.
• Multifamily developments provide 6% of the total units as affordable.
• Affordable Dwelling Units available for purchase are required to be affordable to households with incomes of 70% or less of the area median income.
• Rental Affordable Dwelling Units are required to be affordable to households with incomes of 60% or less of the area median income.
• Affordable Dwelling Unit developments are provided an approximately 20% bonus density through the modification of certain dimensional requirements of the applicable zoning district.

Information for Developers and Builders

• Affordable Dwelling Unit regulations have been integrated into the City's Zoning Ordinance.  The Zoning Ordinance can be found on the City Code website.  The regulations can also be viewed here in the original adopting ordinance.  Questions on the Zoning Regulations may be directed to City of Fairfax Zoning Division staff at zoning@fairfaxva.gov or (703) 385-7820.  
• Administrative Regulations outline the requirements associated with the sale or rent of Affordable Dwelling Units.  Please click here to view the Administrative Regulations.  Questions regarding the application of the Administrative Regulations may be directed to the Fairfax County Affordable and Workforce Housing Program Administrator at (703) 246-5000.
• Requests to modify the Affordable Dwelling Unit zoning requirements applicable to a particular development are limited to certain provisions and must be submitted through an Affordable Dwelling Unit Modification Application that is subject to approval by the City Council following a public hearing.  Please click here for the application.  For questions regarding the modification process and/or to arrange a pre-application meeting, contact City of Fairfax Community Development Division staff at (703) 385-7930.

Information for Prospective Renters and Homebuyers

On behalf of the City, the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development administers affordable dwelling units in the City's program.  Properties in the program include:

• Sutton Heights (3500 block Pickett Road) - 5 for-sale townhouse units (UNDER CONTRACT)

For more information on participating in the First-Time Homebuyers Program, please email FTHBhomeownership@fairfaxcounty.gov, or contact the Homeownership Resource Center at 703-246-5087 on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

West Wood Oaks (10734 West Drive), Scout on the Circle (9450 Fairfax Boulevard), and The Point at Fairfax (4040 Gateway Drive) also provide dedicated affordable housing within the City of Fairfax.  The affordable rental units in these developments are administered by the property owners (not Fairfax County).  Please contact the leasing agents at each respective development for information on affordable unit availability through the following links: West Wood Oaks, Scout on the Circle, and The Point at Fairfax.