Residential New Concrete Sidewalk Program

Citizens who want to apply for a residential sidewalk on their street must complete the residential sidewalk petition form and collect signatures from as many residences as possible on the block (on both sides of the street) where the sidewalk is being requested.

Requests must be made in writing and petitions must contain original signatures.

The City Considers the following criteria when evaluating and selecting potential projects:

1. Neighborhood Connectivity
   • Does this request improve access to trails & transit?
   • Does this request complete a missing link?
2. Access to Destinations
   • Does this request improve access to activity centers, commercial areas, schools, parks or other community destinations?
3. Safety Considerations
   • What is the average daily volume and speed of traffic on the road?
   • What is the width of the roadway?
   • Are there other pedestrian safety considerations?
4. Resident Support
   • How many residents on the block signed the petition?
5. Cost & Constructability
   • Is there sufficient existing public right of way to build the sidewalk?
   • Are there opportunities to coordinate the sidewalk project with other improvements?
   • What is the overall cost to construct the new sidewalk?

The City of Fairfax will accept requests for new sidewalks on local, residential streets. These requests may be made by city citizens, staff, or elected or appointed Board members.

Petition forms are due to the Transportation Division no later than September 1 to be considered for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) in the upcoming budget year.

If a project is included in the CIP, all affected residents will be notified before the date of the first Planning Commission public hearing. The final decision to provide sidewalk project funding is done when the City Council adopts the annual budget.

When City Council approves funding for a sidewalk project, City Staff will proceed with a preliminary design concept. This design concept will then be presented to the affected residents at a citizen meeting. City staff will proceed with final design following the citizen meeting.

Policy and program documents and presentations to City Council about the residential sidewalk program are linked below.

• Residential New Concrete Sidewalk Policy(PDF, 159KB)
• Residential Sidewalk Petition Form(PDF, 281KB)
• Residential Sidewalk Policy Brochure(PDF, 957KB)
• City Council Work Session - Policy Recommendations (11/27/2018)(PDF, 6MB)
• City Council Meeting - Policy Adoption (01/08/2019)(PDF, 2MB)
• City Council Work Session - Project Recommendations (09/03/2019)(PDF, 1MB)
• City Council Work Session - Project Recommendations (10/13/2020)(PDF, 3MB)

Feasibility Studies

First Street and Second Street Sidewalk Feasibility Study

The City is evaluating the feasibility of sidewalks on First Street and Second Street between Oak Street and Hallman Street. Once the study is complete, the City will present recommendations to the community and City Council for approval.

An open house was held Wednesday, March 22, 2023 to share preliminary concepts. Download the presentation boards(PDF, 13MB) to review the concepts, and download the comment form(PDF, 118KB) to provide your feedback. Return your comment form to the Transportation Division by Friday, March 31.

• In person: City Hall, Public Works: 10455 Armstrong Street Room 200
• By email: transportation@fairfaxva.gov

Dwight Avenue Sidewalk Feasibility Study

The City is evaluating the feasibility of sidewalks on Dwight Avenue between Roberts Road and Orchard Drive. Improvements to the intersections along this corridor are also being evaluated. Once the study is complete, the City will present recommendations to the community and City Council for approval.