Introduction
Fairfax County is known for its great schools, green parks, and suburban charm, but it's also stuck in a time capsule of outdated zoning and car-dependent design. As young people struggle to find affordable places to live, local businesses fight to stay afloat, and traffic only gets worse, something MUST change.
At Fairfax Forward, we believe in a simple idea: our neighborhoods should work for everyone. Whether you're a student, a senior, a parent, or a small business owner, you deserve a community that's connected, inclusive, and built for people, not just cars.
Most of Fairfax County is zoned exclusively for single-family homes. That means no corner stores, no duplexes, no walkable housing near jobs or transit, just large lots and long commutes. This isn’t by accident. These zoning laws are a legacy of 20th-century policies designed to separate people by income, class, and race.
Today, these restrictions are holding us back. Young adults raised in Fairfax can't afford to live here. Local workers are priced out. And low-density sprawl is pushing us further from our climate goals.
What if you could grab a coffee from a corner café a block away? What if you could live in a small apartment above a bookstore, or rent a backyard cottage near your parents' home? What if your neighborhood had sidewalks, bike lanes, and buses that actually go where you need?
This is the vision we're fighting for: a Fairfax that’s fair, functional, and future-ready.
Here’s how we can make it happen:
Legalize Missing Middle Housing: Allow duplexes, triplexes, and small apartment buildings in neighborhoods currently zoned only for detached homes.
Bring Back the Corner Store: Support zoning reforms that allow small businesses to open within walking distance of where people live.
Invest in Transit and Walkability: Prioritize bus routes, bike lanes, and pedestrian infrastructure, especially near schools and job centers.
Rethink Parking Requirements: Stop forcing businesses and homes to waste land and money on excessive parking lots.
Make Housing More Affordable: Use zoning tools to create more supply and options, because everyone deserves a place to live.
