November 1, 2024
The right lighting provides benefits to your property, including safety and crime prevention and curb appeal. However, too much, or the wrong type of, lighting causes a lot of problems – like light trespass to neighbors, dangerous glare to drivers, and impacts to sensitive habitat. Not to mention that excess lighting is wasteful and increases energy demand. The County promotes Dark Skies to limit the harmful effects of light pollution and encourages responsible lighting practices.
To support these initiatives, the Zoning Ordinance has rules on new or replacement outdoor lighting fixtures that are enforced by the Department of Code Compliance (DCC). DCC investigates for compliance with those rules, which include the ones bulleted below. Details about color temperature and brightness (measured in lumens) can be found on the lightbulb box.
Fixtures that emit initial light outputs greater than 1,500 lumens must be full cut-off and mounted horizontal to the ground. Full cut-off means no light is emitted above the bottom of the fixture – in other words, light should point down and not up.
Lightbulb color temperature must be at or lower than 3,000 Kelvin.
Lighting used to illuminate flags, as part of landscaping, or for architectural purposes, must be aimed and shielded to keep the light only on the intended object. Landscaping or architectural detail lighting cannot point directly upward without shielding.
Lights exempt from the regulations include:
Holiday lights
Motion activated lights, such as security lights, of less than 4,000 lumens, when the light is directed within the property boundary and turns off within five minutes of motion stopping.
In addition to their Outdoor Lighting webpage, the Department of Planning and Development has flyers with key outdoor lighting regulation information for residential as well as commercial, industrial and other nonresidential properties.
Interested in light pollution monitoring? The Light Pollution Monitoring Kit, also known as the Dark Skies Kit, is available to borrow from the FCPL Library of Things and includes tools to measure and monitor light levels.
DCC is here to help – if you have questions, want to make a report, or if you are the subject of enforcement and need to contact us. You can report problems online, learn about what happens during an investigation, reach us via email, phone (703-324-1300 / TTY 711), or visit us in person at 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 1016, Fairfax, VA 22035.
October 8, 2024
The Virginia Construction Code (VCC) requires permits for new buildings, common renovations, and projects, such as finishing basements and installing gas appliances, and for the work to pass inspection. Construction or other work done without required permits and associated inspections violates the VCC and is called “unpermitted construction.” In Fairfax County, Land Development Services (LDS) oversees the permit review, permit issuance, and inspections processes. The Department of Code Compliance (DCC) responds to reports of potential unpermitted construction, and enforces the requirements to get permits and inspections. DCC’s recently updated Unpermitted Construction webpage has additional information to help property owners, contractors, and those with concerns about potential issues in their neighborhood.
A few points to highlight include:
When responding to a report, if DCC finds unpermitted construction, they will issue a Notice of Violation (NOV) that explains the issues and responsibilities.
A NOV requires an owner to correct the problem by getting the required permits and inspections or by removing the construction. DCC may allow more time to comply depending on the circumstances – such as waiting for a permit application to be approved.
While DCC’s goal is always to obtain voluntary compliance, the agency may ask the courts to impose fines or issue a court order if parties are unwilling to act.
Receiving a permit and having proper inspections are important steps to ensuring work is done safely. The permit process also allows the County to review other regulations that might apply, such as setbacks and height limitations for structures and other Zoning Ordinance provisions.
DCC is here to help – if you have questions, want to make a report, or if you are the subject of enforcement and need to contact us. You can report problems online, learn about what happens during an investigation, reach us via email, phone (703-324-1300 / TTY 711), or visit us in person at 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 1016, Fairfax, VA 22035.
September 1, 2024
The Zoning Ordinance regulates fence height and the location of sheds. Here are some key points and resources for residential lots.
Fence height is limited to 4 feet in most front yards. A yard that abuts a street is considered a front yard. For example, a corner lot has more than one front yard. Sight distance requirements apply on corner lots to ensure that people can see around the corner. In side and rear yards, fences can be up to 7 feet in height. Some lots that abut a major thoroughfare may have higher fence heights. More information is available on the Department of Code Compliance (DCC) Residential Fences and Walls flyer.
Sheds must meet the same location regulations as detached garages and similar accessory structures. On properties 36,000 square feet or less, sheds cannot be in a front yard. The following location regulations apply in a side or rear yard, depending on the shed’s height.
Not exceeding 8.5 feet tall - no setback from the side or rear lot line required.
Between 8.5 feet and 12 feet tall - must be at least 5 feet from the side and rear lot lines.
Greater than 12 feet tall - must meet the zoning district’s minimum side setback and be located at least a distance equal to the shed’s height from the rear lot line.
More information on these location regulations is available on DCC’s Accessory Structure Location flyer.
Although most fences do not require a building permit, a shed may. The size of the shed will determine if a building permit is needed, and other permits may be required if any electrical, mechanical, or plumbing is installed. Land Development Services’ website provides more information about when a project requires a permit.
DCC is here to help - if you have questions, want to make a report, or if you are the subject of enforcement and need to contact us. You can report problems online, learn about what happens during an investigation, reach us via email, phone (703-324-1300 / TTY 711), or visit us in person at 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 1016, Fairfax, VA 22035.