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Earlier editions: 2026-07

Title 8 — HEALTH AND SAFETY

Fairfax Municipal Code Ch. 2 Definitions

Fairfax Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Fairfax

Cite as: Fairfax Municipal Code Chapter 2 · Text as of 2026-10-04

Section 202 of Chapter 2 is hereby amended by adding the following general definitions:

ALL WEATHER SURFACE shall mean A/C paving, or concrete capable of supporting 70,000 gross vehicle weight. Grades up to and including 18% may be of A/C paving. Grades greater than 18% shall be of concrete curf-cut so as to allow for water run-off and traction.

COVERINGS shall mean materials including, but not limited to gypsum board, paneling, floor boards, lathe and plaster, wood paneling, brick and mortar, or other materials attached to rough framing of the building elements. 'Coverings' do not include carpet, linoleum, tile, wall paper, or other decorative finishes.

OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION is modified to include:

[BG] Factory Industrial F-1 Moderate-hazard occupancy is amended to add to the list of moderate-hazard factory industrial groups the following:

Agricultural crop production including cultivation, drying, processing and /or storage.

EXTERIOR WILDFIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM shall mean an approved system of devices and equipment which is automatically or manually activated to discharge water and or an approved fire-extinguishing agent onto the structure and or the exterior of the structure to hydrate the Immediate Zone 0 (0-5 feet from the home, including the home) and the Intermediate Zone 1 (5-30 feet from the home).

FIRE ROAD shall mean those improved or unimproved roads, public or private, that provide access for firefighting equipment and personnel to undeveloped areas.

HOME BACKUP GENERATOR. A permanent, fixed installation, internal combustion engine-driven device that provides temporary electrical power to a Group R-3 and R-4 Occupancies.

PRE-PLANS shall mean detailed plans of target hazard buildings. These pre-plans include information on the building's location, occupancy, hazards, fire department connections and hydrants, building layout, and other pertinent data that would assist the fire department in case of an emergency.

PUBLIC STORAGE FACILITY shall mean any business that sells, leases or rents space to the public that is enclosed, whether it is a building, storage container or similar configuration.

SPARK ARRESTOR shall mean a chimney device constructed in a skillful-like manner. The net free area of a spark arrestor shall not be less than four times the net free area of the outlet of the chimney. The spark arrestor screen shall have heat and corrosion resistance equivalent to 12-gauge wire, 19-gauge galvanized wire or 24-gauge stainless steel. Opening shall not permit the passage of spheres having a diameter larger than 1/2 inch and shall not block the passage of spheres having a diameter of less than 3/8 inch.

SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL shall mean the renovation of any structure, which combined with any additions to the structure, affects a floor area which exceeds fifty percent of the existing floor area of the structure within any 36 month period. When any changes are made in the building, such as walls, columns, beams or girders, floor or ceiling joists and coverings, roof rafters, roof diaphragms, foundations, piles or retaining walls or similar components, the floor area of all rooms affected by such changes shall be included in computing floor areas for the purposes of applying this definition. This definition does not apply to the replacement and upgrading of residential roof coverings

TARGET HAZARD is defined as a location or plausible scenario in which a fire department or fire district could quickly become overwhelmed and for which additional resources, now scarce, would be needed.

TEMPORARY shall mean any use for a period of less than 90 days, where not otherwise referenced.

UNWARRANTED ALARM shall mean the giving, signaling or transition of an alarm notification to a public fire station or emergency communication center when such alarm is the result of a defective condition of an alarm system, system servicing testing, construction activities, ordinary household activities, false alarm or other cause when no such danger exists.

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