Additions, Garages and Sunrooms

This information is the most common for how to obtain the necessary permits for your project and is not representative of all the conditions you may encounter.

Permits and Fees

You will be required to obtain a residential addition building permit, mechanical permit (for new heating and air conditioning system), electrical permit and plumbing permit (if new plumbing fixtures are installed).  If using as an Accessory Dwelling Unit/Accessory Living Unit, please fill out this form.

Fees vary depending on the scope of your project; use the online fee estimator to help determine your costs.

Permit Process

Follow the steps below to obtain the necessary approvals and permits for your project. Vienna and Clifton residents require additional approval from their respective towns. You may obtain the status of your permit application or obtain the status of your plan review, if applicable, at any time online.

• Step 1) Permit Application

  Permit Application

  Obtain permits online using FIDO. If you are a first-time user, you must first follow the prompts to create an account. Once you are logged into FIDO, apply for a residential addition building permit. Additional steps are required for your ePlan upload process. Once the application is complete, you will be invited by email to upload your required documents to ProjectDox for submission to the county.

   
• Step 2) County Review

  County Review

  County staff from the Permit Application Center, Health Department (if on well or septic), Building Plan Review and Zoning will review your package for completeness and compliance with the building code and county ordinances. You will be notified of any deficiencies. Plan corrections, resubmission fees and additional supporting documents may be required.

  Residential Fast Track

  Residential Fast Track allows customers with small, non-complex home improvement projects to receive expedited reviews by dedicated staff on a first-come, first-serve basis.

  More Information

   
• Step 3) Permit Issuance

  Permit Issuance

  Once all county reviews are approved and outstanding fees have been paid, you can access your approved plans in ProjectDox and permit in FIDO. The permit must be printed and posted at the job site, and the approved plans must be also printed in full-size and available to the inspector.

   
• Step 4) Trade Permits

  Trade Permits

  Electrical and plumbing permits can be obtained online after the building permit has been issued. Plans are not required. Input the building permit number issued in Step 3) when prompted for the “associated building permit number” in FIDO. If you are installing a new HVAC system, you must upload a Residential HVAC Certification for review prior to issuance of the mechanical permit.

   

Inspections

You are required to obtain inspections from the county for your project. The county must be notified when the stages of construction are reached that require an inspection; see the table below. Ladders, scaffolds and other equipment necessary to access construction must be provided to the inspector. Schedule, cancel or modify an inspection online or with the Fairfax County smartphone app.

Building Plans

When applying for a permit, the plans must meet or show the following, if applicable:

• Minimum scale of ¼ inch = 1 foot; fully dimensioned.
• Minimum sheet size: 11 x 17 inches.
• Code year and local design criteria used for the design.
• Name, address and occupation of the designer.
• If prepared by a Virginia registered design professional, show the electronic signature, seal and date.
• List of materials used, including strength, wood species, grade.
• Live load and dead load.
• Foundation plan, footing details and basement wall design.
• Thickness of slab-on-grade, gravel base and vapor barrier.
• Garage slab slope toward garage door.
• Crawl space vent and access locations.
• Floor plans of all levels with each room function labeled.
• Location of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
• For garages, ½-inch drywall applied to the walls and 5/8-inch, Type-X applied to ceilings.
• 20-minute fire-rated door between an attached garage and house.
• If detached garages are within 3 feet of the existing house, show drywall and fire-rated door equivalent to attached garages.
• Outlets in garages must be GFCI. Garages shall include at least one outlet and one ceiling mounted light with a wall switch.
• Structural framing plans for floors and roof identifying all members’ sizes, span lengths and spacing.
• For sunrooms on an existing deck, provide details on the deck attachment to house and the deck’s lateral load resistance at the posts.
• Manufacturer’s design specifications of pre-fabricated fireplaces.
• Manufacturer’s name, series number and depth of all manufactured wood products.

• Typical wall section with sheathing thickness and type.
• Wall bracing. For more information, see our wall bracing publications.
• For additions and sunrooms, insulation R-values and fenestration U-factors. See our Energy Conservation website.
• Exterior elevations noting dimensions and locations of windows and doors.
• Building height; maximum height is 35 feet measured from grade to roof midpoint.
• Jacuzzi/whirlpool tub manufacturer’s information.
• Location of safety glazing.
• Structural calculations for main wind reinforcing system and components and cladding may be required for pre-made sunrooms. Calculations must include:
  • Wind pressure per ASCE 7.
  • Shearwall and diaphragm design per SDPWS.
  • Electronic signature and seal of the registered design professional responsible for the design.

Site-Related Plans

To determine your project’s impact on your property, one of the site-related plan types listed below must be submitted. To learn more, see our Site-Related Plans publication or contact the Permit Application Center.

• HOUSE LOCATION SURVEYS
  Please refer to Submitting House Location Plats for details.

• CONSERVATION PLAN
  A conservation plan is much like a house location plat, but also shows erosion and sediment control measures. You can use one when your project disturbs 5,000 square feet or less and drainage improvements and water quality controls are not required. If you do not meet these conditions, you must submit a grading plan.

• GRADING PLAN
  A grading plan is a drawing of your site which shows topography, new construction and improvements and is required when your project disturbs more than 2,500 square feet, blocks existing drainage patterns or soil is to be cut or filled more than 18 inches.