Independent city · code 51600
Fairfax cityVirginia
Fairfax is an independent city in Virginia, founded in 1805 and named after Thomas Fairfax.
- Founded1805
- Named forThomas Fairfax
- Land area6.2 sq mi
- Population24,146 2020 Census
- Parcels mapped9,742 checked 15 October 2026
Where it is
Fairfax on the map of Virginia
Virginia has 133 counties and county equivalents, each with its own records office. Shapes with a page are links.
History
Founded in 1805
An old deed may name a county that no longer exists, or a boundary that has since moved.
Fairfax was established as an independent city, second class, from Fairfax County on July 1, 1961. The city exchanged territory with Fairfax County on December 31, 1980 and again on January 1, 1994.
- 1961Independent city separated Fairfax made an independent city, 2d class, from Fairfax. · Fairfax Planning Dept., correspondence, February 1990
- 1980Exchanged territory Independent city of Fairfax exchanged with Fairfax. · Fairfax City Clerk's Office, correspondence, February 1990; U.S. Census Bureau, "Significant Changes to Counties and County Equivalent Entities: 1970-Present," http://www.gov/geo/www/tiger/ctychng.html, 4 August 2003
- 1994Exchanged territory Independent city of Fairfax exchanged with Fairfax. · U.S. Census Bureau, "Geographic Change Notes: Virginia," http://eire.census.gov/popest/geonotes/51.php, 10 June 2003
Land and parcels
What the maps cover in Fairfax
Who publishes each layer, how good it is, and when we last checked.
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Parcels Good enough
Lot lines and tax-map numbers for 9,742 parcels from Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN), Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Drawn for tax purposes: usually within a few feet of a survey, but not a survey.
checked 15 October 2026 -
Address points Official
One point per address, 8,686 in all from Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN), Virginia Dept of Emergency Management (VDEM; VGIN moved from VITA to VDEM).
checked 14 October 2026 -
Buildings Reference
Roof outlines traced from aerial imagery from FEMA Response Geospatial Office with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Good for seeing what is on a lot; not accurate enough to set a fence from.
checked 18 October 2026
- Official
- from the office that keeps the record
- Good enough
- a reliable statewide or national copy
- Fallback
- a guide only; check the official record
- Missing
- nothing public found yet
People and land
Fairfax by the Census
Source: US Census Bureau, 2020 Census; US Census Bureau, 2020 Gazetteer Files. Not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Rules and offices
Who to ask before you build, dig or sell
Official county pages only. We link to them; we do not copy them, because they change.
Inside a city or town, permits usually come from that city rather than the county.
Records
Zoning and code
GIS and maps
County government
- County government
The official website of Fairfax city.
See your own lot on these maps
Open Fairfax city on Parcel Chart's free map and click your parcel. Save it with a free account; the full record of your place (site map, projects, documents) is Pro, in early access.
Questions
Common questions about Fairfax city
- When was Fairfax city founded?
- Fairfax city was founded in 1805, and named after Thomas Fairfax.
- Is there an online parcel map for Fairfax city?
- Yes. Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN), Virginia Department of Emergency Management publishes a parcel map of 9,742 parcels, rated good enough here. You can click any parcel on it in Parcel Chart's free map, no sign-in needed.
- Has Fairfax city's boundary or name changed?
- Atlas of Historical County Boundaries records 3 changes for Fairfax city. Since then the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries records 3 later changes.
- Who issues building permits in Fairfax city?
- The county's page on building permits: Permit & License Hub City of Fairfax, VA. Inside a city or town, ask that city first.
- Who issues septic and well permits in Fairfax city?
- The county's page on septic systems and wells: Fire Department Training Center 9650 Colonial Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22030 The Public Safety Training Center combines the efforts of the Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department as well as the City of Fairfax F.
- Is my lot in a flood zone?
- We do not have flood maps for Fairfax city yet. Look up the address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, which shows the effective flood map for any lot.
Nearby