A new Fairfax County government pilot program aims to make life easier for small business owners seeking to make minor alterations before they open their stores.
The Tenant Support Services (TSS) initiative is designed to move applicants through the permit approval process more efficiently by providing “early guidance, clear expectations and coordinated review support,” county officials said in announcing the effort.
Those interested in participating should do their due diligence first, county officials cautioned.
“We strongly encourage applicants to contact the program before signing a lease to confirm that the space is suitable for your proposed business use,” they said.
The pilot program is designed for spaces of 5,000 square feet or smaller that require relatively minimal structural work (i.e. no changes to load-bearing walls). Eligible sites are those located in existing buildings of three stories or fewer.
Those chosen to participate will receive the following benefits, county officials said:
- A single point of contact within Fairfax County government throughout the project
- An early review of proposed business operations to confirm zoning and building code compatibility before signing a lease
- A clear outline of the permit approval process from start to finish, including which agencies will be involved and submittal expectations
- Coordinated support during the design process to reduce resubmissions and unexpected project delays
- Expedited building permit review, with a target turnaround of three to five business days for complete and eligible submissions
- Continued support through construction, inspections and issuance of the certificate of occupancy
A site’s eligibility is dependent on a staff review. A staff coordinator will contact applicants within two business days to determine eligibility to explain next steps.
The TSS pilot program is part of the county’s ongoing efforts to support small businesses and improve permitting efficiency. Staff plan to evaluate the effectiveness of the program based on factors such as review-time performance and on-time completion rates.
Findings will help determine whether the pilot program should be extended or made permanent.
