Fairfax County, VA · Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance
PDH is a planned residential district allowing a mix of housing types. Density limited by subdistrict (PDH-1 through PDH-40). Min site 2 acres. Reston is a prominent PDH example. Actual standards per approved plan.
Development standards in PDH
We don't hold published dimensional standards for this zone yet — see the ordinance link below for the authoritative table.
Permitted uses in PDH
ConditionalSingle-Family Residential Table 4101.2 lists “Dwelling, Single-Family Detached” as ✓ in the PDH / Principal column. P = permitted by right; SE = special exception; SP = special permit; A = accessory only; AP = administrative permit (Table 4101.2).
ConditionalTownhouses Table 4101.2 lists “Dwelling, Single-Family Attached” as ✓ in the PDH / Principal column. P = permitted by right; SE = special exception; SP = special permit; A = accessory only; AP = administrative permit (Table 4101.2).
ConditionalMultifamily Residential Table 4101.2 lists “Dwelling, Multifamily” as ✓ in the PDH / Principal column. P = permitted by right; SE = special exception; SP = special permit; A = accessory only; AP = administrative permit (Table 4101.2).
ConditionalParks / Open Space Table 4101.2 lists “Quasi-Public Park, Playground, or Athletic Field” as ✓/SE in the PDH / Secondary column. P = permitted by right; SE = special exception; SP = special permit; A = accessory only; AP = administrative permit (Table 4101.2). THIS ANSWER COVERS MORE THAN ONE USE AND THE ORDINANCE TREATS THEM DIFFERENTLY -- Quasi-Public Park, Playground, or Athletic Field: ✓/SE; Open Space: not listed in the use tables at all, so Sec. 4100.2 refers it to the Zoning Administrator. The status shown is the most restrictive of them.
ConditionalNeighborhood Commercial Table 4101.2 lists “Retail Sales, General” as ✓ in the PDH / Secondary column. P = permitted by right; SE = special exception; SP = special permit; A = accessory only; AP = administrative permit (Table 4101.2).
ConditionalSTR - Short-Term Rentals Table 4101.2 lists “Short-Term Lodging” as AP in the PDH / Secondary column. P = permitted by right; SE = special exception; SP = special permit; A = accessory only; AP = administrative permit (Table 4101.2). Fairfax defines this as a room or space intended for TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY for a charge, and expressly NOT a bed and breakfast, hotel, motel or accessory living unit (Article 9). It needs a short-term lodging permit from the Zoning Administrator, and the operator must be a permanent resident of the property (Sec. 4102.7.O).
"Conditional" means the use generally requires a public hearing or special-exception approval — a very different timeline and risk profile from a by-right permit.
This is the zone. What about the parcel?
Zone rules are the starting point — the answer for a specific property also depends on lot
size, overlays, existing improvements and site conditions. Run a free address lookup to see
what applies to one property.