Board of Zoning Appeals

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our offices are open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
703-324-1280 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Pkwy, Suite 801
Fairfax, VA 22035
Clerk
Board of Zoning Appeals

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Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals

Fairfax County Seeks Member for the Board of Zoning Appeals

The Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals has an upcoming opening for one member. Interested candidates must apply by Friday, May 1, 2026, to the Fairfax Circuit Court, which appoints the members. Applicants should send their resume to Chief Judge Penney S. Azcarate, Fairfax Circuit Court, by email entitled “Board of Zoning Appeals Application” OR by first-class U.S. mail to Chief Judge Penney Azcarate, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030.

NOTE: THE APPLICATION SHOULD BE SENT VIA ONLY ONE FORM OF CORRESPONDENCE, WHETHER EMAIL OR U.S. MAIL.

The appointee for this position will complete the remainder of the term, effective through April 18, 2029. Members of the Board of Zoning Appeals are appointed for staggered five-year terms; are compensated at a bi-weekly rate of $357.69; and serve as private citizens, not as County employees. Applicants must be residents of Fairfax County.


BZA Hearing

The Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) was established pursuant to the provisions of Article 7, Chapter 22, Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia. The BZA consists of seven (7) members and one alternate, appointed by the Circuit Court for staggered terms of five years. The BZA's powers, duties and procedures are set forth in broad terms in the State Code and are further detailed in the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance. Such powers and duties include:

  • Hearing and deciding appeals of administrative decisions made pursuant to the Zoning Ordinance.
  • Hearing and deciding upon applications for special permits and variances as authorized by the Zoning Ordinance.
  • Hearing and deciding on applications for interpretation of the Zoning Map where there is uncertainty as to the location of a zoning district boundary.

Board of Zoning Appeals Meetings

The Board of Zoning Appeals meets weekly on Wednesday mornings in the Board Auditorium (12000 Government Center Pkwy) beginning at 9:00 a.m., except for weeks that contain a County holiday. A recess is generally taken in August/September and in late December/early January. BZA meetings are also aired live on the County government's cable TV Channel 16, streamed online, and over the phone at 703-324-7700. Meetings are also available to view on demand following the meeting.

Related Resources

Watch Live on Channel 16
View Meeting Dates & Agendas
BZA Meeting Minutes
Watch Past Meetings

BZA Meeting Speaker Sign-up

Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) meetings are open to the public. If you wish to speak at a BZA meeting, it is recommended that you sign up ahead of time using the BZA Speaker Sign Up form. Testimony may be in person or via pre-submitted video. The hearings are open to all citizens who wish to speak.

Related Resources

Sign up to Speak at a BZA Meeting
How to Submit Video Testimony

Appeals Process

An appeal to the BZA may be taken by any person aggrieved or by any officer, department, board, commission, or authority of the County affected by any decision of the Zoning Administrator or from any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by any other administrative officer in the administration or enforcement of this Ordinance. 

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Final Actions on Zoning Cases

The Final Actions report provides information on the Board of Zoning Appeals action taken on Zoning Cases heard before it. The information includes the application number (linked to PLUS, which provides an overview of the application and information and documents associated with it) the application name, the Board Meeting Date and the Board's action.

View All Final Actions Reports

Annual Report

The Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals highlight their activities in an Annual Report submitted to the Board of Supervisors.

Board Members

The BZA consists of seven (7) members appointed by the Circuit Court for staggered terms of five years. All members of the BZA are private citizens and must be residents of Fairfax County. They serve only as a Board and not as County employees and, as such, do not have County office space nor are they available by telephone in the County government.

By-Laws

The Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals adopts By-laws for its rules and procedures for the transaction of its business for the benefit and convenience of the citizens of Fairfax County.

Notice Instructions

In accordance with the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance, the applicant or agent, individually and as designee of the staff, shall prepare and mail out legal notices in accordance with these instructions. Failure to accurately comply with the instructions prior to the designated deadline shall be due cause to cancel the hearing and reschedule it at a later date.

Special Permit Process

The BZA may approve a special permit that complies with all applicable standards, that will be compatible with existing and planned development in the general area, and that, as conditioned, will be compatible with the neighborhood where it is proposed to be located. If it determines that the use is not in accordance with all applicable standards of this Ordinance, the BZA must deny the special permit.

Variance Process

A variance is a request to vary certain requirements of the Zoning Ordinance where, due to special conditions of the property, strict enforcement of the Ordinance would, among other standards, effectively prohibit or unreasonably restrict all reasonable use of the property.

BZA Inclement Weather Policy

In the event of inclement weather, the County Executive may close all county offices or may grant unscheduled leave to county employee, or the chair (or vice-chair if the chair is unable to act) finds and declares that weather or other conditions are such that it is hazardous for members to attend the meeting. In either case, all Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) public hearings scheduled for that day shall be canceled and the applications rescheduled for the next available meeting date which can accommodate the hearings and allows sufficient time for re-advertising.

BZA members, county staff and citizens should listen to emergency announcements featured on Channel 16 and provided to area television and radio stations and/or www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Please verify County closings and unscheduled leave from multiple sources, and be sure the announcement is referring to Fairfax County Government, not the school system, court system, or the City of Fairfax Government.


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