Commissions and Advisory Groups

About Advisory Groups  

Some 50 standing advisory groups provide input to the Arlington County Board  on a variety of issues. From time to time, the Board also creates ad hoc committees and task forces for limited terms to focus on projects of immediate concern. At every January Organizational meeting, the Board designates a County Board liaison(PDF, 99KB)  to each commission.

A number of groups also provide guidance to the County Manager on specific topics. Every meeting of each County advisory group is open to the public.

Arlington County government relies on the hard work of its many civic-minded volunteer commissioners to help it make decisions that benefit our community.  We thank each commissioner for his or her service, and we invite you to apply for appointment to a commission.

Vacancies and Appointments to Advisory Groups

The County Board seeks to reflect Arlington’s diversity by fully partnering with all segments of the community.

The following commissions currently anticipate or now have vacancies (as of April 2022):

  • Advisory Board on Trespass Vehicle Towing (2 Towing Representatives)
  • Civil Service Commission
  • Commission for the Arts
  • Commission on Aging
  • Commission on the Status of Women
  • Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee
  • Community Services Board
  • Disability Advisory Commission
  • Economic Development Commission
  • Emergency Preparedness Advisory Commission
  • Fiscal Affairs Advisory Commission
  • Forestry and Natural Resources Commission
  • Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board
  • Human Rights Commission
  • Information Technology Advisory Commission
  • Joint Facilities Advisory Commission
  • Neighborhood Complete Streets Commission
  • Out of School Time Advisory Council
  • Partnership for Children, Youth and Families
  • Pedestrian Advisory Committee
  • Planning Commission
  • Sports Commission
  • Transportation Commission

General information about appointments:

  • The Board makes appointments  for specific terms. Terms are staggered so that vacancies occur on a periodic basis.
  • Generally, advisory group appointments are limited to residents of Arlington County, although there are some exceptions.
  • Some groups may require special appointment qualifications as mandated by the Virginia or County Codes (e.g., particular expertise in the subject area.)

Want to get involved?

Groups & Commissions

Membership in all of these groups is voluntary.

* Membership is appointed by the County Manager (vs. County Board).
** The Board of Zoning Appeals is appointed by the Arlington County Circuit Court.

Archived Advisory Groups and Commissions

The following Commissions and Advisory Groups are either no longer active or have completed the scope of their work:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get Involved

About Groups & Commissions
Visual Overview(JPG, 2MB)

Upcoming Meetings
Apply for Board-Appointed Groups
Apply for Manager-Appointed Groups

Advisory Group Handbook

Learn about advisory groups and how they work in this handbook and accompanying slide presentation.

Meeting Rooms

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