City of Fairfax — Retail Sales Tax (Fairfax City)

What it does

Should the City of Fairfax, Virginia, be authorized to levy a general retail sales tax at a rate not to exceed one percent (1%), as determined by the City Council, to provide revenue solely for: (i) capital projects for new construction or renovation of schools serving the City, including bond and loan financing costs related to such needs; or (ii) public transportation purposes serving the City, including bond and loan financing costs related to such needs; or (iii) both capital projects for new construction or renovation of schools serving the City and public transportation purposes serving the City?

A YES vote means

The City of Fairfax could levy a sales tax of up to 1%, as set by the City Council, used only for school construction or renovation, public transportation, or both, including related bond and loan costs.

A NO vote means

The City of Fairfax would not levy this sales tax for schools or public transportation.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

The 2026 General Assembly amended Virginia Code §58.1-605.1, effective July 1, 2026, so that localities in Planning District 8, including the City of Fairfax, could ask voters for a local sales tax of up to 1%. That is according to the city manager's July 14, 2026 report to City Council.

The report says adopting the resolution does not impose the tax. If voters approve, City Council would still have to act to levy it, with revenue limited to school construction or renovation and/or public transportation.

City staff estimated a 1% tax, if approved and implemented, would raise about $13.5 million a year.

FFXnow reported that the council voted unanimously on July 14, 2026 to ask the Fairfax Circuit Court to order the special election.

Put on the ballot by City of Fairfax City Council, unanimous, July 14, 2026 (Agenda Item 11a, resolution requesting a Circuit Court-ordered referendum; tally as reported by FFXnow).

From official source.

In the news

• Fairfax City seeks voter referendum on sales tax to fund school improvements · FFXnow

Next elections here

• Virginia election 2027 · November 2, 2027: All 100 House of Delegates seats and all 40 state Senate seats
• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Fairfax mean?

The City of Fairfax could levy a sales tax of up to 1%, as set by the City Council, used only for school construction or renovation, public transportation, or both, including related bond and loan costs.

What does a NO vote on City of Fairfax mean?

The City of Fairfax would not levy this sales tax for schools or public transportation.

How many votes does City of Fairfax need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on City of Fairfax?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.