Fairfax

We’re fighting for more homes, more affordability, and better urban design across Fairfax County from Centerville to Springfield - especially near transit corridors. Join us and advocate for homes for ALL in your corner of our community!

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Send us a note at hello@yimbysofnova.org to say hello or let us know if there’s something that should be on our radar!

What we're watching in Fairfax County:

Countywide Policy Plan Amendment

The Policy Plan for Land Use has been rewritten. The plan was approved by the Board of Supervisors on 12/09/25.

The Land Use Policy Plan includes two objectives which directly address housing:

Objective 2: "Define mixed-use centers, suburban village centers, and other activity areas which serve as economic and social focal points and contain a mixture of physically compatible land uses that provide housing proximate to employment, retail, institutional/public services, and recreation, and are transit ready and served by active transportation facilities"

Objective 5: "Encourage a diverse, innovative housing stock with a mixture of types and forms to provide residents with choices and allow them to live in the County throughout multiple stages of life"

The policies related to these objectives will help make it easier to build the housing that's needed in Fairfax County.

Phase 2 will commence in 2026.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/plan-amendments/Countywide-policy-plan-update

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/policy-plan-update-approved-board-supervisors

Centreville

The Centreville Study Task Force hearing is on June 23.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/plan-amendments/centreville-study

Chantilly

Though it was previously a bastion of relative affordability within the county, Chantilly has become less accessible in recent years. We’re working with faith institutions in the community who have seen attendance to their food pantries rise and want to help out by building hundreds of new dedicated affordable homes. This is part of our advocacy for statewide ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ legislation to remove the prohibitive legal and financial barriers preventing nonprofits and faith institutions from building dedicated affordable housing we desperately need on their available land. "YIGBY" legislation was passed into law in 2026.

Fairfax City

The City of Fairfax has several upcoming developments. The Davies Property (4131 Chain Bridge Road) is a 2.69 acre lot which has recently been zoned for 276 apartments and over 6000 sqft of retail and over 4000 sqft of office space. Legislatively, the comprehensive plan calls for dense, urban development and the zoning code is currently being updated to match the plan. Details can be found on Fairfax City’s “Engage” page. (fairfaxva.gov > “Government” > “Engage Fairfax” > “Zoning Standards For Small Area Plans”) The ADU Ordinance is also being updated and details can be found on the Engage page.

McLean

McLean is poised for a significant evolution, centered on creating its first dedicated downtown—a walkable, interconnected urban hub designed to seamlessly blend living, working, and leisure. This transformation will extend near the McLean Metro station, strategically leveraging transit access to foster a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly environment. The planned changes aim to replace car-centric sprawl with a dynamic community core, featuring diverse housing options, local businesses, green spaces, and amenities—all within walking distance. This shift not only addresses the area’s need for more multifamily and mixed-use spaces but also reimagines McLean as a cohesive destination where residents can thrive without relying on cars. By prioritizing connectivity and sustainability, the future downtown promises to enhance quality of life while supporting Fairfax County’s broader goals of smart growth and equitable development.

Merrifield

Following the success of the Mosaic district the county board is evaluating multiple proposed redevelopments near the Dunn-Loring Merrifield Metro stop, expanding on the neighborhood’s potential for walkable, mixed-use urban design. We’re advocating for the county to approve more homes near Metro while expanding green space access (currently lacking) and improving pedestrian and bike infrastructure.

Oakton

Several redevelopments near the Vienna-Fairfax metro stop were approved in 2025, adding up to well over 1,000 new homes. We’re staying engaged with these projects as they move into their design and construction phases to ensure that they bring us the homes - and pedestrian & bike infrastructure improvements - that were promised.

Franconia-Springfield Planning Study

The Springfield Transit Station Area and Community Business Center plans are being reviewed in light of the recommendations of the Springfield Market Study. Community engagement for this study began in Fall 2025 and will continue into 2026.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/plan-amendments/springfield-tsa-cbc