Planning, Zoning, and Development Application Process

The following applications are currently available in our Permit Portal:

• Commercial Use & Occupancy Permit
• Minor Home Occupation Permit
• Commercial Zoning Permit
• Residential Zoning Permit
• Bee Keeping Permit
• Chicken Keeping Permit
• Accessory Dwelling Unit Permit
• Permanent Sign Permit
• Tree Removal Permit
• Minor Certificate of Appropriateness (BAR)
• Administrative Approvals (Alternative Compliance, Numerical Adjustment, Shared Parking)

You will need to create an account and apply for the appropriate permit. The portal homepage has a series of helpful user guides to get you started. The Permit Process Guides page contains step-by-step instructions for applying for many of these permit types in the portal.

The following applications are not available in our Permit Portal:

• Additional Message Signs
• Special Event Sign Permit or Temporary Use Permit

Sending Materials to Our Office

Please be advised that you can submit these applications and associated materials to CD&P without having to visit City Hall. The two options for getting your documents to City Hall are as follows.

Option 1

• Download an application from our All Permits and Applications page, fill it out, and send it and all other required materials to: zoning@fairfaxva.gov. City staff will reply to you with an invoice that you can use to pay the application fee.

• Permit fees can be paid online at paygov.us, by mobile app, or by calling 1-866-480-8552.
  • When paying online at paygov.us, please enter the invoice number, the accounting code(s), and case number on your invoice into the "Purpose of Payment" box.
  • To pay with the mobile app, go to the App Store or Google Play and search for "PayGov Mobile." In the app, select "Make a Payment" and enter the City of Fairfax Payment Location Code (PLC): 34530. Please enter the invoice number, the accounting code(s), and case number on your invoice into the "Purpose of Payment" box.
  • When paying by phone, tell the representative that you are paying for a permit, and provide the invoice number and accounting code(s) on your invoice.

Option 2

• Download an application from our All Permits and Applications page, fill it out, and mail it along with a check for the application fee(s) (made payable to "City of Fairfax"), and all other required materials to: Community Development & Planning, 10455 Armstrong Street, Fairfax VA 22030.

Additional Information

If you have questions about these options or application fees, please contact CD&P staff at 703-385-7820.

If you are already working with a member of the CD&P staff, please refer to the Organizational Charts on the Contact Us page to find staff e-mail addresses. Please be advised that some members of the staff are working remotely, so e-mail is the preferred communication method. If using e-mail presents a challenge, please feel free to call (703) 385-7820 and we can assist you in contacting other members of our staff. Unless directed by staff, please do not e-mail submission directly to staff.

These procedures apply to applications for:

• Land Use (Special Exceptions, Special Use Permits, Variances, Planned Developments, Rezonings)
• Major Certificates of Appropriateness (BAR)
• Site Plans (Major and Minor)
• House Grading Plans (for new single-family home construction)
• Floodplain Permits

For applicants prepared to submit plans, please note changes to our plan intake and review process:

Pre Application Meetings

• Pre-application meetings are required and are encouraged to be held via video conference. If you have not already satisfied the requirement for a pre-app meeting with staff, you may contact staff and request a video conference in lieu (please call (703) 385-7820 or send a message to zoning@fairfaxva.gov).
• Prior to pre-app meetings, be sure to provide all relevant discussion materials, and your questions in writing to the staff member coordinating your application.
• After staff has assessed your development proposal, he/she will inform you of submission requirements.

Application Submission

• We request that all submittals (applications, plans, etc.) be provided electronically to the staff member coordinating your application, via email or link to downloadable version. Please note, emails larger than 10 MB will cannot be received by our staff.
  • Application forms can be found on the All Permits and Applications page.
  • Paper copies are still accepted at your request. Contact staff to schedule a meeting for submission of hardcopy documents.
• Staff will perform an initial completeness report, before routing submission for review by all departments/staff. Missing or incorrect submittals must be correct before submissions will be deemed accepted.
• Upon acceptance, staff will provide a formal invoice to you and/or your agent for payment of fees. This invoice will also include instructions on how to pay over the phone.

Resubmission

• Staff will complete review and provide comments for each submission via email to the applicant/engineer.
• Each resubmission should follow the submission procedure outlined above.
• The feasibility of post-submission meetings may be determined by the staff member coordinating you application. Meetings will be handled via video conference.

Public Hearings

• Applicable to Land Use cases, Major Certificates of Appropriateness, and Appeals
• These application types require public hearings before City Council and/or other city Boards and Commissions. Those hearings will be outlined and explained during the pre application meeting.

Signature Submission

• Applicable to Site Plans, House Grading Plans, and Floodplain Permits
• Prior to signature submission, staff will inform you of how to submit signature plans and record documents in the land records (as needed).

Release

• Applicable to Site Plans, House Grading Plans, and Floodplain Permits
• Upon approval, staff will prepare signed plans for release and coordinate transmission back to you.

Find information on submitting an application to the Fairfax Renaissance Housing Corporation.