As part of the overall Zoning Ordinance Modernization project, called zMOD, Fairfax County held its first community on Jan. 24, 2018, on the effort to restructure and reformat the ordinance. This presentation was delivered by the county's consultant, Clarion, a national land use consulting firm. For more information and ways to stay informed, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-zoning/zmod

1. Fairfax County
Zoning Ordinance
Restructuring
and
Revising Land UsesJanuary 24, 2018

2. Agenda
1. Short background
presentation
2. Questions about the
project
3. General questions
about the Zoning
Ordinance
4. Targeted discussion
about specific topics
2

3. The Project
An ambitious program to:
 Restructure the Fairfax
County Zoning Ordinance
 Create New Categories and
Modernize the List of
Allowable Land Uses
Project Team:
 Partnership between Fairfax
County staff and Clarion-led
consultant team
3

4. Who Are We?
◦ National land-use
consulting firm
◦ 17 staff in Denver
and Chapel Hill
◦ Zoning and land
development
ordinances for over
180 communities
◦ Significant experience
with zoning under
Virginia law
4

5. Clarion Associates
Don Elliott, FAICP
◦ Planner/Lawyer/Project Manager
◦ A Better Way to Zone
Tim Richards, AICP
◦ Planner/Lawyer/Code Drafting
Lisa Steiner, AICP
◦ Planner/Code Drafting
Tareq Wafaie, AICP
◦ Planner/Code Drafting
5

6. Our Support Team
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7. Why Do This?
The structure of the current Zoning
Ordinance is outdated and related provisions
are contained in multiple places -- which
makes it difficult to find answers to typical
zoning questions
The current Zoning Ordinance makes it
difficult to take advantage of new technology
to make both text and graphic content
available on multiple digital platforms
The current Zoning Ordinance does not
reflect current or emerging land uses
The format of the current Zoning Ordinance
lacks graphics and illustrations and is not
user-friendly
7

8. Why Do This?
Current Structure
The Constitution of the Ordinance
General Regulations
Residential District Regulations
Commercial District Regulations
Industrial District Regulations
Planned Development District Regulations
Overlay District Regulations
Special Permits
Special Exceptions
Accessory Uses, Accessory Services Uses and
Home Occupations
Off-Street Parking and Loading, Private Streets
Signs
Landscaping and Screening
Performance Standards
Nonconformities
Development Plans
Site Plans
Administration, Amendments, Violations and
Penalties
Boards, Commissions, Committees
Ordinance Structure, Interpretations and Definitions
Typical New Structure
(Just an Example)
General Provisions
Zoning Districts
Allowable Use Regulations
Building and Development
Standards
Application Procedures
Review Procedures
Definitions
8

9. Why Do This?
Current Trends in Zoning Ordinance
Structure and Organization
• Fewer chapters for easier navigation
and internal consistency
• Consolidation and similar provisions,
such as:
• Application procedures and
submission requirements
• Use of understandable terms and
provisions
• Many more graphics, illustrations,
and flowcharts
• Ability to easily navigate and search
on computers, smartphones, or
tablets
9

10. Why Do This?
10

11. Why Do This?
Typical New Structure of Use Regulations
(Just an Example)
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12. Why Do This?
Current Trends in Land Use Categories
• Fewer, broader land use categories for:
• Easier navigation
• Less frequent amendments
• Market flexibility among uses with
similar land use impacts
• Clear treatment of new/emerging uses,
such as:
• Electric vehicle charging stations
• Artisan manufacturing
• Organization into updated categories
and subcategories for:
• More internally consistent treatment of
similar land uses
• Less frequent amendments
12

13. Why Do This?
Current Trends in Land Use Categories
• Grouping of “Vehicle-related uses” for
better control and plan implementation
• Consolidation of “Use-specific
standards”, which can include additional
controls for specific locations and
neighborhoods
• More controls on the minimum or
maximum size of individual uses to help
reinforce current or intended character
of different areas.
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14. The Work Plan
o Extensive Stakeholder
Outreach Throughout
o Presentations on Current
Trends in Zoning
Regulation and Zoning
Ordinance Structure
o Public Drafts Available for
Review and Comment
14

15. Outreach and Engagement
o Project Website
o Facebook Page for Notices
o Online Surveys
o E-mail List for Notices
o Public Meetings
o Individual and Small Group
Interviews
o Short Video Clips
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/
planning-zoning/zmod
https://www.facebook.com/
fairfaxcountyzoning/
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16. Outreach and Engagement
Please Take the Online Survey:
www.surveymonkey.com/r/zMOD
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17. Outreach and Engagement
And Feel Free to
Leave Comments,
Ask Questions, or
Sign Up for E-mail Notices
DPZZMODcomments@FairfaxCounty.gov
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18. The Schedule
TASKS
2018 2019
J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J
1. Initial Public Outreach &
Feedback
2. Determine the Structure
3. Update the Land Use
Categories
4. Modernize the Zoning
Ordinance
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19. Next Steps
o Continued outreach to
and comments from
stakeholders
o Second visit to Fairfax
County to present
information on Emerging
Trends in Zoning
19

20. Questions
Discussion
Priorities
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-zoning/zmod