Our Mission is to improve and maintain the present and future quality of life in Arlington County, by ensuring that community standards are met as they apply to Condition of Private Property, Noise Control, and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code/Property Maintenance Code for Existing Structures.

Community Code Enforcement responds to thousands of inquiries about possible violations of Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code Maintenance of Existing Structures, Condition of Private Property, and Noise Control Ordinance. Inspectors have the authority to enforce these ordinances not only as a result of inquiries, complaints received from residents, or referrals from other County agencies, but also as a result of proactive monitoring of neighborhoods throughout the County. Every neighborhood in the County has an assigned Inspector. To make a complaint, inquiry, or to find out the name or number of the Inspector for your neighborhood you may contact the Code Enforcement Office at 703 228 3232.

In an effort to enhance the understanding and cooperation between the Code Enforcement Office and the citizens and residents of Arlington County the following information is being provided. We also would like to thank you for your support and cooperation in helping us to make Arlington County a community of choice.

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The following are some of the violations that have shown to be of greatest concern over the years:

Inoperable, Unlicensed, and Abandoned Vehicles on Private Property

• Within any residential-zoned district, inoperable vehicles may not be kept in open view. These vehicles may have vegetation underneath which has grown as high as the vehicle body, may be being used solely for storage purposes, may have major parts missing or may be dismantled, wrecked or otherwise not operable for their intended use. Vehicles in this condition must be in kept within a completely enclosed building in a residential district. A County contracted wrecker at the direction of the Code Enforcement Office staff will remove violations that are not corrected, after notification from the County.
• Residential properties are limited in the number of unlicensed vehicles that are in operating condition that can be openly kept on the premises. Only one unlicensed, operable vehicle can be kept to the rear of the front line of the main building, all others must be kept in a fully enclosed building.
• Abandoned vehicles left on private property can be reported to the Code Enforcement Office and with the permission of the property owner or responsible agent/occupant, the vehicle can be flagged for removal by the County. Usually the abandoned vehicle can be removed at no cost to the property owner.

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Unkempt properties (occupied and vacant)

Condition of Private Property violations include but are not limited to:

• Accumulations of junk and debris such as paper, lumber, concrete rubble, household furnishings, appliances, dismantled machinery, tires or rusted metal of any kind on residential or commercial property. To discard these and other miscellaneous items, contact the Department of Environmental Services (703 228 6570) to get details to arrange for a special trash collection. Not all items may be collected by the County and some may have a fee for collection.
• Excessive growth of grass and weeds (12 inches or more in height)
• Vegetation encroaching onto the sidewalk, roadway, or other public right-of-ways to include low hanging branches from trees or tall bushes. The surface of the right of way should be cleared upwards to ten (10) feet and low encroaching vegetation should be kept back to the property line
• Conditions that harbor or attract rodents
• Dead trees on private property that are a threat to the public right of way

Contractors or designated county staff will correct violations, which are not corrected. Failure to comply could result in monetary fines and an assessment will be made against the property for the cost of bringing the premises into compliance.

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Noise Control

• Construction noise:
  Any construction noise activities which produce noise levels exceeding the established maximum permissible noise levels shall be permitted only during the daytime. All feasible procedures shall be undertaken to minimize noise generated by construction activities. In no instance shall noise levels originating from construction sites exceed ninety (90) dBA. This does not apply to emergency repairs to public utilities.
• Small power equipment:
  Any small power equipment which exceeds the established permissible noise levels may only be operated during the daytime.

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Virginia Maintenance Code

Unsecured abandoned buildings, damaged fences, sheds and other accessory structures, houses with chipped and peeling paint and exposed wood areas, cracks and holes in foundations walls, poorly maintained walkways, stairs, and rails are just some of the many violations that are addressed each year.  Property owners must ensure that buildings and structures are maintained in a safe and sanitary condition. Virginia Maintenance Code establishes minimum standards of care in the following general categories:

• General Exterior
• General Interior
• Light, Ventilation and Occupancy Limitations
• Plumbing Facilities and Fixture Requirements
• Mechanical and Electrical Requirements
• Fire Safety Requirements.

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REFERRALS FOR ASSISTANCE OUTSIDE OF CODE ENFORCEMENT: