Fairfax County Code Violations: DCC Notices, Hoarding & Spot Blight (2026 Guide)

In Fairfax County, maintaining property value is a government priority. The Department of Code Compliance (DCC) is well-funded and aggressive. Unlike other counties that might ignore a messy yard, Fairfax County inspectors actively patrol neighborhoods looking for “Blight,” “Zoning Violations,” and “Unsafe Structures.”

For 2026, the county has doubled down on its Spot Blight Abatement Program. If you have received a Notice of Violation (NOV) or a letter mentioning “Spot Blight,” you are not just facing a fine—you are facing the possibility of the county hiring contractors to fix your property and placing a massive lien on your home to pay for it.

This guide explains the 2026 Civil Penalty schedule, how the “Spot Blight” process works, and how to sell your house to a cash buyer to stop the DCC enforcement actions immediately.

The 3 Most Common DCC Violations

The Department of Code Compliance handles everything from tall grass to hoarding. The three most serious categories we see are:

1. The “Spot Blight” Designation

• What it is: A property that is “dilapidated, deteriorated, or violates minimum health and safety standards.” This includes boarded windows, collapsing porches, or missing siding.
• The Threat: Under Virginia Code § 36-49.1:1, if you do not fix the blight within 30 days, the County can declare your home a “Nuisance.” They then have the legal right to enter your property, repair or demolish the structure, and bill you for the entire cost (plus administrative fees).

2. Property Maintenance & Hoarding

• What it is: Fairfax County has a dedicated Hoarding Task Force. If neighbors complain about items stacked in the yard, trash accumulation, or extreme clutter visible from the street, DCC will investigate.
• The Consequence: These violations often trigger “Unsafe Structure” notices, which can force you to vacate the property immediately.

3. Zoning & Illegal Construction

• What it is: Unpermitted renovations (finished basements, decks) or illegal multiple-occupancy (boarding houses).
• The Fine: These carry immediate civil penalties if not reversed.

The 2026 Schedule of Civil Penalties

If you fail to correct a violation by the deadline in your NOV, Fairfax County imposes Civil Penalties (fines) that are added to your tax bill.

Warning: If the Civil Penalties don’t work, the DCC can escalate the case to a Criminal Misdemeanor, requiring you to appear in General District Court. This carries a fine of up to $2,500 per violation and potential jail time.

The “Spot Blight” Timeline (The Nuclear Option)

The most dangerous letter you can receive is the Spot Blight Abatement Notice. Here is the timeline:

1. Preliminary Investigation: DCC confirms the property is blighted.
2. 30-Day Response Window: You receive a letter giving you 30 days to submit a “Spot Blight Abatement Plan” (a contract with a builder to fix it).
3. Public Hearing: If you fail to respond, the Board of Supervisors holds a public hearing to declare your home a nuisance.
4. County Takeover: The County enters the property, performs the repairs (or demolition), and places a Lien on the title for the full cost. This lien has the same priority as tax liens and can be foreclosed upon.

Your Options: Fix, Appeal, or Sell?

Option 1: Submit an Abatement Plan (Fix It)

You must hire a licensed contractor and submit a timeline to the DCC proving you will fix the issues.

• The Cost: In Fairfax, “Blight Removal” often requires full exterior renovation ($30k – $80k+) to meet the community standards.

Option 2: Appeal the NOV

You can appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) or the Local Board of Building Code Appeals.

• The Deadline: You typically have 30 days from the date of the notice to file an appeal. If you miss this window, you lose your right to fight it.

Option 3: Sell “As-Is” (Stop the Liens)

If you cannot afford the renovation or are overwhelmed by a hoarding situation, selling to a cash buyer is the fastest exit.

We Buy Fairfax Houses with DCC Violations.

• We Handle the Hoarding Task Force: We buy houses filled with belongings. You don’t need to clean it out. We work with the Task Force to ensure a safe transfer.
• We Resolve Civil Penalties: If you have accrued zoning fines, we handle the payoff directly at the closing table. You don’t have to write a check out of pocket.
• We Stop the “Spot Blight”: We submit our purchase contract to the DCC as your “Abatement Plan,” proving that the property will be renovated by a new owner. This usually pauses the county’s legal action.

Important Contact Information

• Fairfax County Department of Code Compliance (DCC)
  • Address: 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 1016, Fairfax, VA 22035
  • Phone: (703) 324-1300
  • Website: fairfaxcounty.gov/code
• Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals
  • Address: 12055 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035
  • Phone: (703) 324-1280

Stop The Fines. Protect Your Equity.

If you are facing a “Spot Blight” hearing or drowning in DCC citations, fill out the form below. We can make you a cash offer that clears the violations and puts money in your pocket.

Areas We Serve in Fairfax County

We help homeowners with code violations across the county, including:

• Annandale
• Centreville
• Reston
• Herndon
• Springfield
• Falls Church
• McLean
• Lorton

Disclaimer: Consistent Homebuyers is a real estate investment firm, not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice regarding zoning defense or BZA appeals. We recommend consulting with a Virginia land use attorney for legal representation.