Fairfax City Council

Fairfax City elects Democratic-endorsed mayor, keeps three incumbents on council

Published November 4, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated November 5, 2026 at 9:01AM

Campaign signs outside Fairfax City Hall for the 2026 mayor and city council elections (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax City Planning Commission Vice Chair Kirsten Sides Lockhart won her race for mayor against current city council member Thomas Peterson last night (Nov. 3), joining four Democratic-endorsed candidates who appear to have won spots on the city council, according to unofficial election data.

Clocking in at just under 55% of the vote to Peterson’s 44.46%, as of this morning, Lockhart brought home a clear and decisive local victory for Democrats in the midst of a nationwide “blue wave.” She will succeed current Mayor Catherine Read, who elected not to pursue a third term.

Countywide

Fairfax County sees massive increase in early voting ahead of midterm election

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published November 2, 2026 at 3:45PM

Early voting at the Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Election Day is still a day away, but Fairfax County voters have already been surging to the polls as part of a statewide and nationwide upswing in early voting.

More than 227,000 county voters have already cast their ballots for the Nov. 3 election through early voting, which concluded at 5 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 31), according to data from the Virginia Department of Elections collected by the nonprofit Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP).

Countywide

What to expect as early voting for the 2026 election kicks off Friday in Fairfax

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published September 17, 2026 at 2:45PM

"I voted" logos on a voting booth (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

As Democrats attempt to flip control of Congress from the current Republican majority, all eyes will be on national races, but the Nov. 3 election will also give Fairfax County voters a number of questions with local and state implications to consider.

Early in-person voting will kick off countywide tomorrow (Sept. 18) for seats in the House and Senate as well as local issues regarding funding for parks and health and human services projects. In addition, voters will be asked to vote on three constitutional amendments addressing abortion, gay marriage, and voting rights.

News

Fairfax City moves forward with University Drive bicycle lane project

By Acacia James

Published September 15, 2026 at 10:00AM

The University Drive and North Street intersection in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax City is moving ahead with a plan to add bicycle lanes on University Drive, north of Old Town.

The Fairfax City Council unanimously approved awarding a $725,551 contract to Arthur Construction Company Inc. to construct the bike lanes during a meeting last Tuesday (Sept. 8). The project calls for parts of the roadway to be reduced to make room for the proposed changes.

News

Fairfax City Council can now discipline members under newly adopted code of ethics

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published September 14, 2026 at 3:45PM

The sign in front of Fairfax City Hall (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

The Fairfax City Council voted last week to adopt a formal code of ethics that would allow members to impose sanctions such as a formal censure or loss of seniority for violations.

The new 18-point code of ethics lays out standards for personal and professional behavior applicable to council members, the mayor, and appointed members of boards, committees, and commissions. Broadly speaking, it covers aspects of members’ relationships with one another, conduct in private and in public, and emphasizes their responsibility to act as stewards of the public interest, independent of personal gain.

News

Fairfax City Council gets preview of three mixed-use development proposals

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published September 11, 2026 at 9:15AM

The Home Store Furniture building in the Fairfax Circle Shopping Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Some of the latest development proposals underway in the City of Fairfax include an 11-story building that would be among the tallest in the city, and an office building that may include “live-work” units.

During a work session on Sept. 1, council members got a preview of three new developments that would bolster the city’s housing supply. The pre-application hearings gave the property owners and developers an opportunity to hear feedback from the council and make adjustments before officially submitting their initial plans.

News

Fairfax City plans voter information meetings on sales tax referendum

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published September 9, 2026 at 2:45PM

A precinct sign on election day in Fairfax City (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

When Fairfax City voters go to the polls in November, they’ll be asked to grant approval for a general retail sales tax increase of up to 1% for construction and renovation of school and/or public transportation purposes.

To give voters the details they need to decide, City of Fairfax Public Schools will host a series of informational meetings about the referendum, starting this week.

News

Fairfax City Council split over housing plan for Chain Bridge Road office parcel

By Scott McCaffrey

Published August 4, 2026 at 10:00AM

Proposed new construction at 3541 Chain Bridge Road (via Network Realty Partners)

A proposal to replace two aging office buildings with 37 residential units and a small retail facility has met with mixed responses from members of the Fairfax City Council.

While some members praised the proposal for redevelopment of 3541 Chain Bridge Road with housing, others voiced concern about the decline of commercial property in the Northfax area of the city.

News

Fairfax City officials mostly upbeat on revised redevelopment plan for Courthouse Plaza

By Scott McCaffrey

Published August 3, 2026 at 3:45PM

Revamped conceptual design of housing on Courthouse Plaza parcel (via Combined Properties)

Members of the Fairfax City Council have reacted generally favorably to the latest proposal to redevelop the Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center.

Representatives from Combined Properties, which owns the 10-acre site, detailed its latest proposal at a July 28 City Council work session.

News

Fairfax City Council allows detached accessory dwelling units by right

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published July 30, 2026 at 1:45PM

Setbacks for an example accessory dwelling unit in a Fairfax City backyard (screenshot via City of Fairfax)

Homeowners in the City of Fairfax who want to allow elderly parents to move in, obtain rental income or perhaps even install a luxury “She Shed” can now add another dwelling on their property with less bureaucratic hassle.

The city council voted 4-2 on Tuesday (July 28) to approve code amendments permitting detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by right within city boundaries.