Commissions and Advisory Groups

About Advisory Groups  

View a list of frequently asked questions(PDF, 263KB) related to the Electronic Meetings Policy.

Subscribe to "County Advisory Groups" to receive updates on vacancies.

View Commission Meetings on the County's official Commission Meetings YouTube channel.

Some 50 standing advisory groups provide input to the Arlington County Board on a variety of issues. From time to time, the Board also creates ad hoc committees and task forces for limited terms to focus on projects of immediate concern. At each January organizational meeting, the Board designates a County Board liaison(PDF, 144KB) to each commission.

A number of groups also provide guidance to the County Manager on specific topics. Every meeting of each County advisory group is open to the public.

Arlington County government relies on the hard work of its many civic-minded volunteer commissioners to help it make decisions that benefit our community.  We thank each commissioner for his or her service, and we invite you to apply for appointment to a commission.

Vacancies and Appointments to Advisory Groups

Civil Service Commission           
1 Vacancy           

Climate Change; Energy & Environment Commission (C2E2)           
1 Vacancy   

Commission for the Arts            
2 Vacancies        

Commission on the Status of Women           
4 Vacancies           

Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee           
6 Vacancies     

  • 1 seats for a resident representing the private sector           

  • 1 seat appointed from the Tenant Landlord Commission           

  • 1 seat appointed from the Human Rights Commission   

  • 3 seats for a resident representing low-moderate income interests     

Community Oversight Board         
2 Vacancies     

  • 1 seat is for a non-voting member     

  • 1 seat for a voting member   

(The applications for the Community Oversight Board are located here.)        

Community Services Board           
2 Vacancies           

Disability Advisory Commission           
4 Vacancies           

Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB)       
2 Vacancies         

Housing Commission     
1 Vacancy    

Human Rights Commission (HRC)           
7 Vacancies     

2 Vacancies 

Planning Commission   
2 Vacancies   

Sports Commission           
3 Vacancies           

Tenant-Landlord Commission           
3 Vacancies            

  • 3 seats for a landlord      

General information about appointments:           

  • The Board makes appointments for specific terms. Terms are staggered so that vacancies occur on a periodic basis.           

  • Generally, advisory group appointments are limited to residents of Arlington County, although there are some exceptions.           

  • Some groups may require special appointment qualifications as mandated by the Virginia or County Codes (e.g., particular expertise in the subject area.)    

Want to get involved?

Groups & Commissions

Membership in all of these groups is voluntary.

* Membership is appointed by the County Manager (vs. County Board).
** The Board of Zoning Appeals is appointed by the Arlington County Circuit Court.