Overview of The Department of Code Compliance Neighborhood and Community Leaders Conference March 5, 2016

1. Overview ofOverview of
The Department of CodeThe Department of Code
ComplianceCompliance
Neighborhood and CommunityNeighborhood and Community
Leaders ConferenceLeaders Conference
March 5, 2016March 5, 2016

2. Mission StatementMission Statement
22
The mission of the Department of Code ComplianceThe mission of the Department of Code Compliance
is tois to provide services to protect the lives, propertyprovide services to protect the lives, property
and environment of our communityand environment of our community by providing aby providing a
resource of trained professionals that promote andresource of trained professionals that promote and
protect the integrity of our neighborhoods. This isprotect the integrity of our neighborhoods. This is
accomplished through the enforcement of the Zoningaccomplished through the enforcement of the Zoning
Ordinance, Virginia Maintenance Code, BuildingOrdinance, Virginia Maintenance Code, Building
Codes, Fire Codes, and other safety codes andCodes, Fire Codes, and other safety codes and
regulations utilizing communication, cooperation andregulations utilizing communication, cooperation and
education in partnership with the community.education in partnership with the community.

3. 33
DCC Org ChartDCC Org Chart
Jeff Blackford
Director/Building Code Official
Gabe Zakkak
Mgmt. Analyst
Karen McClellan
Operations Manager
Elizabeth Perry
Senior Deputy Zoning Administrator
Mike Adams
Division 1
Jim Ciampini
Division 2
Susan Epstein
Division 3
Rachael Perrott
Division 4
Steve Mason
Division 5
Grass Program
Partnerships with:
Police Department
Sheriff’s Office
Office of the Fire Marshal
Animal Control
Health Department
Adult Protective Services
Child Protective Services
Department Public Works
Land Development Services
Blight Program
Special Investigations Unit

4. 44
Dept. of Code Compliance – ServiceDept. of Code Compliance – Service
AreasAreas

5. 55
Code EnforcementCode Enforcement
It’s all about :It’s all about :
• SafetySafety
• Community and NeighborhoodCommunity and Neighborhood
StabilizationStabilization
• Obtaining ComplianceObtaining Compliance
• EducationEducation
• EffectivenessEffectiveness

6. 66
Consolidated ApproachConsolidated Approach
• Zoning OrdinanceZoning Ordinance
• Building Code (Unpermitted Construction)Building Code (Unpermitted Construction)
• Property Maintenance CodeProperty Maintenance Code
• Fire Code (Residential)Fire Code (Residential)
•Blight ProgramBlight Program
• Grass OrdinanceGrass Ordinance Our Tools for
Success

7. 77
Common Complaints:Common Complaints:
 Multiple Occupancy / OvercrowdingMultiple Occupancy / Overcrowding
 Outdoor/Excessive Outdoor StorageOutdoor/Excessive Outdoor Storage
 Unpermitted ConstructionUnpermitted Construction
 Multiple DwellingsMultiple Dwellings
 Parking on the GrassParking on the Grass
 Inoperable VehiclesInoperable Vehicles
 Business in Residential AreasBusiness in Residential Areas
 Vehicle RepairVehicle Repair
 HoardingHoarding

8. 88
Types of ComplaintsTypes of Complaints

9. ZoningZoning
Family – Related by
Blood or Marriage
+
2 Other Un-related
Four Un-related
Multiple OccupancyMultiple Occupancy

10. 1010
ZoningZoning
Multiple Dwelling Units located in aMultiple Dwelling Units located in a
basement or detached structurebasement or detached structure
SleepingFood Preparation
Living Bathroom

11. 1111
ZoningZoning
Outdoor StorageOutdoor Storage
Storage YardStorage Yard
Junk YardJunk Yard

12. ZoningZoning
1212
Junk Yards/ Storage Yards

13. ZoningZoning
1313

14. 1414
ZoningZoning
Business in a Residential DistrictBusiness in a Residential District

15. 1515
ZoningZoning
Complaint received for Multiple Occupancy
Business in a Residential District

16. 1616
ZoningZoning
VehiclesVehicles
-Inoperable Vehicles
-Prohibited Commercial
Vehicles
-Vehicle Repair
-Parking in the Grass

17. Parking in the GrassParking in the Grass
1717Parking in the Grass

18. 1818
ZoningZoning
Fences Accessory Structures

19. Zoning Ordinance AmendmentZoning Ordinance Amendment
Donation Drop-Off BoxesDonation Drop-Off Boxes
 OverviewOverview
 ZOA became effective November 18, 2015ZOA became effective November 18, 2015
 Purpose of ZOA was establish a definitionPurpose of ZOA was establish a definition andand
specify conditions under which permittedspecify conditions under which permitted
 Private property only; not R-O-WPrivate property only; not R-O-W
 New type of accessory useNew type of accessory use
 Definition added to Article 20Definition added to Article 20
 Can it be on the property?Can it be on the property?
 If yes, does it comply with the regulations?If yes, does it comply with the regulations?
 Not permitted in the Industrial DistrictsNot permitted in the Industrial Districts

20. Zoning Ordinance AmendmentZoning Ordinance Amendment
Donation Drop-Off Boxes ProvisionsDonation Drop-Off Boxes Provisions continuedcontinued
o Permitted only in
• C-5 through C-9 zoning districts on lots at least 40,000
square feet in area
• Commercial areas of a Planned Development District,
where shown on an approved development plan
• Any residential district where the principal use of the
development is not residential in nature
• In conjunction with new/amended SP, RZ, or SE approval
for another use (and shown on plan)
• Require written permission to locate on property; to be
provided to County on request
• Not permitted in Industrial Districts

21. Zoning Ordinance AmendmentZoning Ordinance Amendment
Donation Drop-Off BoxesDonation Drop-Off Boxes continuedcontinued
o Maximum of 2 boxes on any 1 lot, in a contiguous area of
maximum of 120 square feet
o Max. dimensions: 7’ x 6’ x 6’
o Permitted in any yard (setback) except minimum front yard,
and shall be screened from view from the first-story window
of any neighboring dwelling
o Restrictions on location on a lot - prohibited in landscaping/
open space areas, and screening requirement
o Allowed in areas of excess parking
o Subject to sight distance provisions of Sect. 2-505
o Does not have to be on a site plan

22. Alternative Lending InstitutionsAlternative Lending Institutions
 OverviewOverview
 ZOA became effective November 18, 2015ZOA became effective November 18, 2015
 Purpose of ZOA was to establish a definition andPurpose of ZOA was to establish a definition and
specify conditions under which permittedspecify conditions under which permitted
 Distinguishes them from Financial InstitutionsDistinguishes them from Financial Institutions
 Most existing uses will be nonconformingMost existing uses will be nonconforming
Added a definition to Article 20Added a definition to Article 20
 Added definition to Article 20Added definition to Article 20
 ZOA most relevant to DCC forZOA most relevant to DCC for
 Non-RUP violations/useNon-RUP violations/use
determinationsdeterminations

23. Alternative Lending InstitutionsAlternative Lending Institutions
-continued-continued
 Use limitations in the C-7 and C-8Use limitations in the C-7 and C-8
Commercial District are permitted by rightCommercial District are permitted by right
under the following circumstances:under the following circumstances:
 Is not located in a Commercial Revitalization District orIs not located in a Commercial Revitalization District or
Commercial Revitalization Area;Commercial Revitalization Area;
 Located in the building of a shopping center, with allLocated in the building of a shopping center, with all
uses within that building connected by party walls;uses within that building connected by party walls;
 The shopping center is not located adjacent to orThe shopping center is not located adjacent to or
across from a public R-O-W from land developed withacross from a public R-O-W from land developed with
any public use, place of worship, child care center,any public use, place of worship, child care center,
private school of general education, quasi-publicprivate school of general education, quasi-public
athletic fields;athletic fields;

24. 2424
Unpermitted and Uninspected ConstructionUnpermitted and Uninspected Construction
Building CodeBuilding Code

25. 2525
Building CodeBuilding Code
Work Done without a Permit or Without AllWork Done without a Permit or Without All
Required InspectionsRequired Inspections

26. 2626
Unpermitted BuildingUnpermitted Building
Building CodeBuilding Code

27. 2727
Building CodeBuilding Code
Unpermitted and Uninspected ConstructionUnpermitted and Uninspected Construction

28. Virginia Maintenance CodeVirginia Maintenance Code
2828
Virginia Maintenance Code

29. 2929
Life Safety/ Blocked ExitsLife Safety/ Blocked Exits
Unsafe Conditions: Windows Blocked orUnsafe Conditions: Windows Blocked or
non-existentnon-existent

30. 3030
Property MaintenanceProperty Maintenance
Inadequate Emergency EscapeInadequate Emergency Escape

31. 3131
Property MaintenanceProperty Maintenance
Illegal BedroomsIllegal Bedrooms
Attic
Utility Room

32. 3232
Lack of Emergency EgressLack of Emergency Egress

33. EgressEgress RequirementRequirement
3333

34. 3434
Basement Dwelling UnitBasement Dwelling Unit
Placarded and Vacated Just InPlacarded and Vacated Just In
TimeTime

35. 3535
Property Maintenance & FireProperty Maintenance & Fire
Emergency Egress, Fire HazardsEmergency Egress, Fire Hazards

36. HoardingHoarding

37. What isWhat is
"Extreme Hoarding Behavior"?"Extreme Hoarding Behavior"?
 It is not simply the accumulation ofIt is not simply the accumulation of
possessions or collections.possessions or collections.
 It is the accumulation of anyIt is the accumulation of any
thing that contributes to athing that contributes to a
dangerous living situation for thedangerous living situation for the
person who is hoarding or for theperson who is hoarding or for the
people living with or around thepeople living with or around the
hoarder.hoarder.

40. Hoarding: Not AlwaysHoarding: Not Always
Obvious onObvious on ExteriorExterior
Structures mayStructures may
appear normalappear normal
from the street,from the street,
but hoardingbut hoarding
behavior couldbehavior could
pose a seriouspose a serious
threat to thethreat to the
occupants andoccupants and
community.community.

41. Hoarding: You’ll Know ItHoarding: You’ll Know It
When You See ItWhen You See It

43. 4343

45. 4545
Unsanitary
Conditions

49. Animal HoardingAnimal Hoarding

50. 5050
Animal Hoarders

51. 5151
Fire MarshalFire Marshal
Overloading or Illegal Use of Extension CordsOverloading or Illegal Use of Extension Cords

52. 5252
Fire MarshalFire Marshal
Fire pits/ Outdoor Cooking AreasFire pits/ Outdoor Cooking Areas

53. Fire MarshalFire Marshal
EgressEgress
Inadequate Egress
in Bedrooms
Blocked Egress

54. 5454
Storage of
Combustibles

55. Grass ProgramGrass Program
5555

56. Grass ProgramGrass Program
 Program runs from April through End ofProgram runs from April through End of
SeptemberSeptember
 Grass needs to be more than 12 inchesGrass needs to be more than 12 inches
highhigh
 Property needs to be on ½ acre or lessProperty needs to be on ½ acre or less
5656

57. Blight ProgramBlight Program
5757

58. 5858
How do I make a complaint?How do I make a complaint?
Call 703-324-1300Call 703-324-1300
or go toor go to
www.fairfaxcounty.govwww.fairfaxcounty.gov

59. Complaint ProcessComplaint Process
Verified?Yes No
Timeframe For
Compliance
(Verbal / NOV)
Case
Closed As
Unfounded
Follow-up Inspection
Initial Visit
Compliance?Case Closed Yes No
Summons
Case #
Assigned
Complaint
Reported:
•Phone
•Website l

60. 6060
Litigation OverviewLitigation Overview
• IfIf Violations are not abatedViolations are not abated
• Further action is necessaryFurther action is necessary
• General District CourtGeneral District Court
• Building CodeBuilding Code
• Fire CodeFire Code
• Civil Penalties- Zoning Ordinance/ PropertyCivil Penalties- Zoning Ordinance/ Property
MaintenanceMaintenance
• Circuit CourtCircuit Court
• Bill of Complaint- Zoning Ordinance/ PropertyBill of Complaint- Zoning Ordinance/ Property
MaintenanceMaintenance

61. 6161
Questions?Questions?