In 2017, Fairfax County launched a major initiative to modernize its Zoning Ordinance that was first established over 40 years ago. Dubbed “zMOD,” the effort was designed help the County carry out its strategic plan to grow and diversify its economy. The modernization plan was first presented on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ Development Process Committee. The plan has been that zMOD would work in tandem with the County’s existing process for amending its zoning laws by prioritizing proposed changes of county-wide significance.
Following more than two years of effort, Fairfax County has released a consolidated draft for a proposed new and modernized Zoning Ordinance.
This document represents a major milestone in the County’s zoning modernization project, zMOD. The proposed new ordinance consolidates the current 20 articles and six appendices into nine articles and one appendix. It also includes substantive revisions to the uses, including adding new use names; consolidating uses; creating new uses where appropriate; developing new definitions; and revising use regulations.
The consolidated draft resulted from extensive public outreach during the past two years, including over 65 public meetings and multiple public surveys to gather stakeholder input.
The zMOD project aims to:
- Modernize the permitted uses and their regulations.
- Make the Zoning Ordinance easier to understand.
- Remove gaps and inconsistencies,
- Create a streamlined, user-friendly document.
- Utilize more tables, graphics, and hyperlinks.
The draft will be presented to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission next week, and it is anticipated that the Board will hold public hearings on the modernized ordinance this winter. The public is encouraged to tune in to either of these meetings or to attend an upcoming virtual meeting where County staff and consultant Clarion Associates will present an overview of the draft. Details below.
Board of Supervisors Land Use Policy Committee
Tuesday, July 21 at 2:30 p.m.
Location: View on Channel 16 or watch online
zMOD Community Outreach Virtual Meeting
Wednesday, July 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual – WebEx Meeting
Call In: +1-408-418-9388
Access Code: 129 909 8166
View WebEx Attendee Directions
Planning Commission Land Use Process Review Committee
Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Location: View on Channel 16 or watch online
Recordings will be available to view on demand after the meetings. Following these outreach meetings, staff will continue to present the Consolidated Draft throughout the County.
County zoning officials are seeking public input on this draft as it is refined for the Board to consider adopting this winter. Residents can submit comments by email.
For more information, visit the zMOD webpages. Contact the Department of Planning and Development’s Zoning Administration Division at 703-324-1314, TTY 711, or by email, for questions, feedback, and requests for reasonable ADA accommodations.