Virginia residents are set to benefit from the annual Sales Tax Holiday, taking place from August 7–9, 2026. This three-day event provides an opportunity to purchase back-to-school necessities, emergency preparedness supplies, and energy- and water-efficient appliances without incurring state sales tax on qualifying items.
During the holiday, shoppers can save on portable generators priced at $1,000 or less, gas-powered chainsaws up to $350, and chainsaw accessories or other specified hurricane preparedness products costing $60 or less per item. Additionally, qualifying Energy Star™ and WaterSense™ products for noncommercial home use, priced at $2,500 or less per item, are exempt from sales tax. A complete list of eligible items is available through the Virginia Department of Taxation.
In other county news, Robert Sandoli has been appointed as the new director of the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC), bringing over two decades of executive leadership experience in energy and environmental policy. Fairfax County is also considering a proposal to consolidate the Tree Commission and the Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) into a new Environmental Commission, with a public hearing scheduled for August 25.
Several new state laws, effective July 1, 2026, will advance environmental protection in Fairfax County. These include requirements for data centers to provide more information on community impacts during zoning, expanded powers for local service districts to control invasive plant species, and a ban on expanded polystyrene (EPS) by food vendors, including in Virginia schools.
Fairfax County continues its commitment to sustainability, celebrating a milestone of over 1 million kilowatt-hours of energy generated by its 13 solar arrays since the beginning of 2026. This achievement powers 172 homes and contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy reliability. The county is also implementing a cooling vest pilot program for heat-exposed workers and advancing "Resilient Trees" amendments to ensure a climate-ready urban canopy.