Fairfax County operates under the urban county executive form of government, an optional form of Virginia county government, and like other Virginia local governments, Fairfax County has limited powers.

More specifically, Virginia courts have concluded that local governments in Virginia have only:

1. Those powers that are specifically conferred on them by the Virginia General Assembly
2. Those powers that are necessarily or fairly implied from a specific grant of authority
3. Those powers that are essential to the purposes of government -- not simply convenient but indispensable

This doctrine of limited authority for local governments is commonly called the Dillon Rule. Learn more about the Dillon Rule and its impact on local government.

At a Glance

• Fairfax County Government Organizational Chart  
• More than 1 million residents
• 580,000+ jobs
• 143,000 technology jobs are located in Fairfax County, the largest concentration in the U.S.
• Budget larger than four states
• 395 square miles (land)
• Median household income: $105,241
• Percent of people below the poverty level: 4.9 percent
• Persons who speak a language other than English at home: 32.9 percent
• More facts and stats

News and Information

 

• Laurel Hill Ranked Within Top Ten Municipal Courses Nationwide
• Park Board Honors RMD Donors For $120,000 In Support
• Park Board Thanks Sponsors For Nearly $300,000 in Donations
• Saturday Programs Are Blooming at Green Spring Gardens
• Annual EcoSavvy Gardening Symposium Promotes Pollinators
• Lamond Park Renamed To Honor Gil McCutcheon
• Take Back T-Shirt Design Winner Announced
• Seven-Acre Ruckstuhl Property Acquired
• Colvin Run Mill Concert Rescheduled
• Colvin Run Maple Boil Down Set

Facilities & Locations

• RECenters
• Community Centers
• Senior Centers
• Teen Centers
• Parks at a Glance | Park Search
• Golf Courses
• Athletic Fields/Gyms
• Tennis Courts
• Trails
• Historic Sites
• Nature Centers
• Off-Leash Dog Areas
  
• Campgrounds
  
• Picnic Areas
• Farmers Markets
• Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole
• Ice Arena

Programs and Events

• Parktakes Class Catalog (classes, camps & tours)
• Park Authority Calendar of Events
• Park Authority Gift Cards
  
• Athletic Services
• For Individuals with Disabilities
  • Therapeutic Recreation
  • Clemyjontri Park
    
• Seasonal Programs
  • RecQuest
  • Rec-PAC Summer Camp
  • 2010 Summer Entertainment Series
    
• 4-H Youth Development
• Park Volunteers
• Weddings / Parties

Public Works & Utilities

Public works and utilities keep our county running smoothly and safely. Below you will find information on roads, trash collection and disposal as well as recycling. Maintenance (including snow removal) of virtually all public roads in Fairfax County is handled by the Virginia Department of Transportation.

• List of Utility Providers (water, gas, electric)
  
• Miss Utility - Northern Virginia
• Storm Drainage
• Stormwater Management
• Wastewater Management

 

Recycling & Trash

Roads and Walkways

• Adopt-a-Highway
• Maintenance (potholes, signal outages, snow removal)
• Signs
• Snow Removal
• Street Lights
• Street Addressing
  
• Walkways (Sidewalks, Trails, Pedestrian Bridges)
• VDOT Road Problems

Design and Construction of County Facilities

• Solicitation and Bid Advertisements
• Capital Improvement Program
• Capital Projects Summary Report
• Newington DVS Maintenance Facility
• Richmond Highway Public Transportation Initiative
• South Van Dorn Street/Franconia Road Project
• Water Reuse Project

 

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY FAIRFAX COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

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