Interesting especially since Fairfax County has a well-known reputation for being very aggressive regarding the enforcement of building permits. Whether its tree houses in yards or unauthorized additions to houses, FFX county inspections have led to some fairly well known incidents to include the use of bulldozers in response to noncompliant homeowners.
As far as the "cookie crumbles" comment, I suspect you simply spoke to the wrong office or the wrong person.
Suggest you go this web site and fill out the form.
http://fido.fairfaxcounty.gov/DP1/Metroplex/FairfaxCounty/customerservice/WIZ_CSR.asp