Fairfax City Council

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.

News

Fairfax City seeks voter referendum on sales tax to fund school improvements

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published July 20, 2026 at 10:00AM

Fairfax City Hall (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

Fairfax City voters will decide in November whether to approve a general retail sales tax increase of up to 1% that could generate up to $13.5 million to fund construction projects and long-term maintenance of the city’s schools.

The Fairfax City Council voted unanimously last Tuesday (July 14) to request that the Fairfax Circuit Court order a special election on Nov. 3 asking voters whether the city should levy the tax. Long sought by the city, the ability to implement the sales tax was authorized by the General Assembly’s new state budget late last month.

News

Planning underway for new linear park in north Fairfax City

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published June 26, 2026 at 10:00AM

The development plan for Northfax Linear Park (via City of Fairfax)

Planning is underway for a Northfax Linear Park that will one day have open green spaces, capture stormwater, and connect neighborhoods with a trail and retail plaza in Fairfax City.

During the Fairfax City Council’s work session on Tuesday (June 23), staff presented an early concept for what the park could look like, along with a timeline for finalizing the design guidelines.