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Chapter 17.128 — O-A OPEN AREA ZONE

Fairfax Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-06 · Fairfax

Section 17.128.010 Generally 17.128.020 Principal permitted uses and structures 17.128.030 Conditional uses and structures 17.128.040 Uses prohibited 17.128.050 Building site requirements 17.128.060 Height regulations 17.128.070 Yards 17.128.080 Signs 17.128.090 Off-street parking 17.128.100 Traffic impact permit

§ 17.128.010 GENERALLY.

(A) No premises in the O-A open area zone may be used for any purpose or in any manner except as set forth in this chapter.

(B) All structures, physical improvements and exterior physical modification of building are subject to design review.

(Prior Code, § 17.64.010) (Ord. 584, passed - -1989)

§ 17.128.020 PRINCIPAL PERMITTED USES AND STRUCTURES.

Uses within the O-A zone are restricted to the following:

  • (A) Public uses as follows: public schools, parks, playgrounds and recreation areas;

  • (B) Crop farming, truck gardening and grazing;

  • (C) Golf courses, country clubs, forest preserves, wildlife reserves, equestrian and hiking areas.

(Prior Code, § 17.64.020) (Ord. 584, passed - -1989)

§ 17.128.030 CONDITIONAL USES AND STRUCTURES.

The following uses are permitted upon the securing of a use permit in each case, which use permit if granted shall prescribe conditions as are necessary to assure the prevention of hazards to life and property, to preserve and promote agricultural enterprise, to preserve scenic beauty, to preserve historic enterprise, to preserve historic interest, to maintain such land in a permanent open state:

  • (A) Private schools, day care centers or nurseries;

  • (B) Public or civic buildings;

  • (C) Private recreational uses;

  • (D) Residences clearly accessory to the primary use of property for agricultural purposes;

  • (E) Stables and riding academies;

(F) Public utility or public service uses, provided, however, that no use permit shall be required for gas, water, electrical and communications transmission and distribution facilities be located below ground level.

(Prior Code, § 17.64.030) (Ord. 584, passed - -1989)

§ 17.128.040 USES PROHIBITED.

All uses of land unless set forth in §§ 17.128.020 and 17.128.030 are specifically prohibited, as are the following uses:

  • (A) Commercial wood cutting or logging;

  • (B) Removal of topsoil;

(C) Excavation or filling to any extent whatsoever except as such excavation or filling is approved by the town upon the finding that same is necessary in the pursuit of a permitted use within the district.

(Prior Code, § 17.64.040) (Ord. 584, passed - -1989)

§ 17.128.050 BUILDING SITE REQUIREMENTS.

A use permit must first be secured in the O-A zone for any use, occupancy or physical improvement which is located on a site containing an area of less than five acres and a width of less than 100 feet.

(Ord. 584 § 1 (part), 1989)

§ 17.128.060 HEIGHT REGULATIONS.

Height regulations in the O-A zone are as follows: Except as otherwise permitted by variance, no structure shall be higher than 35 feet above natural grade.

(Prior Code, § 17.64.060) (Ord. 584, passed - -1989)

§ 17.128.070 YARDS.

(A) Except as otherwise permitted by variance, each building site in the O-A zone having a slope of not more than ten percent shall have yards as follows:

(1) A front and rear yard having a combined depth of not less than twenty-five feet but neither having a depth of less than six feet;

(2) Two side yards having a combined width of not less than 15 feet, but neither yard having a width of less than five feet.

(B) Except as otherwise permitted by variance, each building site in the O-A zone having a slope of more than ten percent, shall have yards as follows:

(1) A front and rear yard having a combined depth of not less than 35 feet, but the front yard having a depth of not less than six feet and the rear yard of not less than 12 feet;

(2) Two side yards having a combined width of not less than 20 feet, but neither yard having a width of less than five feet.

(Prior Code, § 17.64.070) (Ord. 584, passed - -1989)

§ 17.128.080 SIGNS.

No signs shall be established or maintained in the O-A zone except as authorized or allowed under the provisions of Chapter 17.064 of this title.

(Prior Code, § 17.64.080) (Ord. 584, passed - -1989)

§ 17.128.090 OFF-STREET PARKING.

(A) Off-street parking spaces and facilities shall be provided in the O-A zone as required or allowed by the provision of Chapter 17.048 of this title.

(B) Off-street parking requirements for uses allowed in the O-A zone but not listed in Chapter 17.048 of this code shall be determined on a case-by-case basis utilizing the information provided in the traffic study required by Chapter 17.056 of this code.

(Prior Code, § 17.64.090) (Ord. 584, passed - -1989)

§ 17.128.100 TRAFFIC IMPACT PERMIT.

A traffic impact permit shall be obtained under Chapter 17.056 for any structure or use in the O-A zone.

(Prior Code, § 17.64.100) (Ord. 584, passed - -1989)

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Contents — Fairfax Zoning Code
Fairfax Zoning Code
  1. Chapter 17.004 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  2. Chapter 17.008 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 17.010 — RULES OF MEASUREMENT
  4. Chapter 17.012 — ZONE DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED
  5. Chapter 17.016 — NON-CONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
  6. Chapter 17.020 — DESIGN REVIEW REGULATIONS
  7. Chapter 17.024 — REQUIRED PERMITS
  8. Chapter 17.026 — MINISTERIAL APPROVALS FOR QUALIFYING HOUSING …
  9. Chapter 17.028 — VARIANCES
  10. Chapter 17.032 — USE PERMITS
  11. Chapter 17.040 — GENERAL ZONE REGULATIONS
  12. Chapter 17.044 — EXCEPTIONS AND MODIFICATIONS
  13. Chapter 17.048 — RESIDENTIAL ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNI…
  14. Chapter 17.049 — TWO-UNIT PROJECTS
  15. Chapter 17.050 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING DENSITY BONUS
  16. Chapter 17.052 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING REQUIREMENTS
  17. Chapter 17.056 — TRAFFIC IMPACT PERMIT
  18. Chapter 17.060 — RIDGELINE DEVELOPMENT
  19. Chapter 17.064 — SIGNS
  20. Chapter 17.072 — HILL AREA RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY ZONE
  21. Chapter 17.076 — RS-7.5 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE, MEDIUM…
  22. Chapter 17.080 — RS-6 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE, HIGH DEN…
  23. Chapter 17.084 — RD 5.5-7 RESIDENTIAL ZONE, HIGH DENSITY
  24. Chapter 17.088 — RM MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE
  25. Chapter 17.090 — RM-S MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL - SENIOR - R…
  26. Chapter 17.092 — CL LIMITED COMMERCIAL ZONE
  27. Chapter 17.096 — CH HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL ZONE
  28. Chapter 17.100 — CC CENTRAL COMMERCIAL ZONE
  29. Chapter 17.110 — CANNABIS USES
  30. Chapter 17.112 — PDD PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT ZONE
  31. Chapter 17.116 — SF-RMP SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL MASTER PLANN…
  32. Chapter 17.120 — A AGRICULTURAL AND CONSERVATION DISTRICT
  33. Chapter 17.124 — UR UPLAND RESIDENTIAL ZONE
  34. Chapter 17.126 — WORKFORCE HOUSING OVERLAY ZONE
  35. Chapter 17.128 — O-A OPEN AREA ZONE
  36. Chapter 17.130 — PD PUBLIC DOMAIN ZONE
  37. Chapter 17.132 — WATER CONSERVATION
  38. Chapter 17.136 — FLOOR AREA
  39. Chapter 17.138 — REGULATIONS APPLYING IN MULTIPLE ZONING DISTR…
  40. Chapter 17.140 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING

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