Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

Owners of buildings destroyed in a fire fail to respond to code violation notices

The owners of the buildings destroyed by a fire on Columbia Pike in Annandale have failed to respond to the Fairfax County Department of Code Compliance, so the matter is being referred to the commonwealth’s attorney’s office. The fire, on March 12, 2023, affected four businesses. The DCC filed several notices charging the property owners … Continued

Supervisors set fines for invasive bamboo

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance March 22 by a 10-0 vote prohibiting property owners from allowing running bamboo to spread to adjacent yards. The supervisors approved one major change from the draft ordinance: They reduced the maximum yearly penalty from $3,000 to $2,000. Some members of the board, however, questioned whether … Continued

Local governments can regulate Airbnb rentals

This Annandale house is listed on Airbnb for $75 a night. The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation that would allow local governments to regulate short-term home rentals, such as those arranged through Airbnb and similar companies. The legislation, which is expected to be signed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe, also sets up a statewide mechanism for collecting taxes … Continued

Lawmakers, residents call for more regulations on short-term rentals

Panelists discuss the Airbnb law (from the left): Mason Hills Citizens Association President Mike Rioux, code compliance official Elizabeth Perry, zoning administrator Leslie Johnson, Del. Kaye Kory, and Sen. Dick Saslaw,  Local residents who attended a meeting on short-term rentals Oct. 5 raised concerns about homeowners filling up their homes with transients, leading to declining … Continued

County employee charged with larceny

Kapoor A senior employee with the Fairfax County Department of Code Compliance (DCC) was arrested by detectives from the Police Department’s Major Crimes Division for larceny March 22. Rakesh K. Kapoor, 54, of Manassas, was charged with obtaining money by false pretenses, a felony, the police blotter reports.  He was transported to the Fairfax County … Continued

County seminar will address neighborhood problems

Attention community association and HOA leaders: Want to learn how to deal with neighborhood problems and recruit more volunteers? The Neighborhood Concerns Seminar is for you. It’s Saturday, March 5, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., at Falls Church High School. This free event is sponsored by the Fairfax County Department of Code Compliance and is open to … Continued

Supervisors approve restrictions on donation drop boxes

Donation boxes on John Marr Drive in Annandale. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved new zoning rules Nov. 17 to regulate donation drop boxes. The new rules, which take effect immediately, are needed because the boxes – which are supposed to be for old clothes and shoes – often attract litter and have … Continued

Fairfax County officials educate neighborhood leaders

Jeff Blackford, director of the Department of Code Compliance, and Rachel Perrott of the DCC. About 300 or so local residents – including many civic association and homeowner association board members – attended Fairfax County’s first-ever Neighborhood and Community Leaders Conference March 22 at Luther Jackson Middle School. At a session on code compliance, staff … Continued