Hazardous and unsanitary conditions regularly face members of Fairfax County’s enhanced Code Enforcement Strike Teams as they investigate residences suspected of harboring illegal boarding houses. Strike team staff appeared at the NVAR Annual Convention in October to raise awareness among NVAR members.

 

Established in 2007 by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to protect the health and safety of residents, teams consist of inspectors from county zoning, building, _re and health departments. Local law enforcement officers and attorneys provide additional

support. Inspectors aid in the enforcement of county laws designed to help stop code violations in illegal boarding houses.

 

Since the program’s inception, inspectors have opened hundreds of investigations, with 197 cases ongoing as of Oct. 10, 2008. To date, 77 cases have been delivered to the county attorney for civil prosecution and 78 were referred for criminal prosecution. The Lee and Mason districts of Fairfax County have the majority of overcrowding cases pending.

 

Violations include locked doors and windows resulting in inadequate emergency escape routes. Unpermitted and uninspected electrical, mechanical and construction work can pose potential _re hazards. Coin-operated laundry facilities, numbered doors, bedrooms in closets and multiple kitchens offer evidence of illegal boarding house arrangements.

 

With limited exceptions, Fairfax County zoning ordinances prohibit more than four unrelated people living together in a house. The county has also adopted a Property Maintenance Code that requires a minimum level of upkeep for county dwellings. Realtors® should be aware of these laws and report suspected violations.

 

For information or to report a violation, contact the strike team command center at 703.246.2503 or 703.324.1300 or visit fairfaxcounty.gov/striketeam.