The Board of Architectural Review is regulated by Chapter 4 - Architectural Design Control.  Within designated design review districts (all non-single family uses), all new construction, additions, exterior modifications, landscape plans (new and modified) and signs (new or altered) require review by the Board of Architectural Review prior to building permit review by the Town of Vienna and issuance of a building permit by Fairfax County. 

Board members

• Patty Hanley, Chair
• Paul Layer, Vice Chair
• Michael Cheselka
• Linda VanDoorn
• John O'Keefe

Meetings

The Board of Architectural Review usually meets at 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.

Meeting location

Council Chambers, second floor of Town Hall
127 Center Street S

Agendas and minutes

Agendas and packet materials for future meetings and work sessions are posted on the Town Legislative Calendar.  Materials and minutes for prior meetings are also posted.  

All Board of Architectural Review work sessions and meetings are open to the public. For regular meetings, the public may comment on agenda items prior to the meeting date via email or in person at the meeting. Please mention the agenda item address or project name in emails. Work sessions do not include public comment.

2024 Meeting Dates & Filing Deadlines

Applications to the Board of Architectural Review must be filed for staff review before the dates below to be eligible for a specific agenda date.

Application Process

1. Review the checklists for Board of Architectural Review applications here for exterior modifications, and here for signs.   
2. All applications are submitted electronically through the IDT Plans portal. Applications are under two categories:  signs, and exterior modifications.  If an application has signs and exterior modifications, please fill out both application types with the relevant information.  Each sign application can contain four individual signs.
3. Applicants must not apply to the Board of Architectural Review until all site plan approvals, Conditional Use Permits, or other zoning processes are complete. Staff will notify applicants when a Board of Architectural Review application is appropriate.
4. All supporting materials and product samples must be submitted prior to the application deadlines for each hearing date, approximately 21 days before each hearing date.
5. Staff reviews the application materials for compliance with the zoning code and application completeness.  Comments are returned to the applicant via the IDT Plans portal.
6. Once the application has been determined to be complete, the application is placed on an agenda for the Board to review.  One week before the meeting, the application materials are provided to the Board members, and posted on the Town website for review by the general public.
7. At the meeting, the Board will ask the applicant any questions about the agenda item.  The Board may vote on the item (approve, deny or approve with conditions) or request additional information to review at a future meeting.

NOTE:  Failure to respond to pre-meeting review comments or provide material samples prior to meeting posting dates will result in a failure to meet the filing deadlines and delay placement on a Board of Architectural Review agenda. 

Ready to Apply?

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does the Town of Vienna have design review guidelines?

  No, there are no specific design guidelines, recommended colors or materials for projects within the Town of Vienna.  The Board of Architectural Review criteria is regulated by Chapter 4 - Architectural Design Control, Sec. 4-15. - Design criteria.

• Is there an option to avoid review by the Board of Architectural Review?

  Review by the Board of Architectural Review is required per Chapter 4 - Architectural Design Control, and no administrative or staff review is allowed per Code.

• Is there an expedited review process?

  No, the Board only meets once a month, and all applications must be received in advance of the meeting date.

• Do colors/materials listed in the application mean I do not need samples?

  Samples are required for all materials listed, including acrylic and vinyl colors specified for sign face revisions.

• Why is a representative required to attend the Board meeting?

  A representative who can answer questions from the Board, explain design decisions, or work with the Board to resolve issues is required.  If questions cannot be answered, or if revisions are required, a second meeting may be required, delaying the approval process.

• Can we meet with the Board before we submit an application?

For large-scale projects, an applicant may request a work session be scheduled with the Board.  For work sessions, the Board must be provided with concept-level plans and samples.  To request a work session, schedule a pre-application meeting with staff through the IDT Plans portal.

Contact

Staff Representative
Sharmaine Abaied, Planner

Email

703-255-6334

Yaska Camacho Castillo, Board Clerk
Email
703-255-6348