Citizens are able to participate on public hearing items by any of the ways listed below:

• Speak before the City Council in-person.
• Emailing comments to publichearing@fairfaxva.gov
• Visiting the eComment website

        Citizens who wish to speak before the City Council, either during "General Public Comment on any item not requiring a public hearing," at the beginning of the meeting, or, during a public hearing, are encouraged to register in advance with the city clerk's office at (703) 385-7935.  Sign-up sheets will also be on-hand with the City Clerk in the Council Chambers Room 100, prior to the beginning of the City Council meeting.

        For accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the City Clerk's Office at (703) 385-7935. 

        When speaking before the City Council citizens are asked to state their name and home address for the record.  When bringing materials to distribute to the City Council, citizens are asked to provide at least 14 copies.

Below are additional guidelines as adopted by the City Council for the 2023-2024 term. 

WHEREAS, members of the Fairfax City community, its elected officials, and City staff place a high value on constructive and thoughtful debate on public issues and the City Council encourages all citizens to present their views and strives to ensure that everyone who wishes to speak at regular meetings of the City Council will have a reasonable opportunity to do so; and 

WHEREAS, in an effort to conduct effective and efficient legislative meetings the City Council regular meeting agenda includes an opportunity for general public comment on items not scheduled for public hearing as well as opportunities to speak on items subject to public hearing, in each case subject to the guidelines set forth in this resolution. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council hereby adopts the following guidelines for public participation at regular meetings of the City Council:  

1. There is no residency requirement to speak at a regular meeting of the City Council; however, priority may be given to City residents and City business owners.

2. Individuals may sign up to speak at a regular City Council meeting by filling out a City Council Speaker’s Slip (as prepared by the City Clerk), or by calling the City Clerk’s office at least two (2) hours prior to any regular City Council meeting and providing the information on the City Council Speaker’s Slip.  Individuals wishing to speak at a regular meeting of the City Council who do not fill out, or are unwilling to fill out, a City Council Speaker’s Slip may be allowed to speak, in the Mayor’s discretion, after all other speakers, but such individuals must provide the information on the City Council Speaker’s Slip at the commencement of their remarks.

3. Speakers are permitted a maximum of three (3) minutes for any one agenda item requiring a public hearing at any regular meeting and a maximum of three (3) minutes under the general public comment period (for any items not otherwise requiring a public hearing at that meeting).

4. The use of profane, vulgar, obscene, or threatening speech is not permitted and may result in removal from the meeting. 

• Speakers may not use language of a personal nature which insults or demeans any person or which, when directed at a public official or City staff, is not directly related to his or her official duties.  

5. Speakers should be respectful of other opinions and viewpoints expressed at the meeting and should not make audible expressions of support (i.e. applause) or expressions of opposition during meetings.  Speakers should also strive to avoid repetitive comments.  Simple statements of endorsement of previous speakers are appreciated and appropriate.  

6. Citizens are encouraged to submit advance written comments on agenda items requiring a public hearing through the ecomment button on the upcoming agenda or through publichearings@fairfaxva.gov. Such advance comments will be made a part of any required public record.

7. The City Council, by a majority vote, reserves the right to temporarily or permanently change these participation guidelines.