Land Development Services

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Friday, 9:15 a.m. - 4 p.m. Please note that visitors may not be added to in-person queues past 3:45 p.m.
703-222-0801 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Pkwy
Fairfax, VA 22035
Bill Hicks
Director

Department Resources

Building and Trade Inspections

Building and trade (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) inspections are required by state law to ensure new construction complies with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.

It is the permit holders' responsibility to schedule inspections. Having inspections at various stages throughout construction allows you to feel secure knowing your project is safe and done to code.

All transactions related to inspections are now completed in the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS).

 

Schedule, Change or Cancel an Inspection in PLUS

Remember: To request an inspection for the next business day, you must submit your request in PLUS prior to 11:59 p.m.

 


All inspection notifications will be sent to the applicant and the onsite contact(s). They will receive an email the morning of, identifying the two hour window of arrival, inspectors name and phone number. They will also be sent the inspection results after the inspection has been conducted. Note: Inspectors cannot take a call while driving or during an inspection, so please leave a message and your inspector will call you back.

If the inspection is scheduled without the work being complete, it could result in a reinspection fee.

 

Watch Video for Instructions on Scheduling an Inspection in PLUS:

 

VIRTUAL INSPECTIONS

Fairfax County building inspections are operating by virtual and in-person inspections. Request a virtual/remote inspection by typing your preferred method into the "Optional Comments or Instructions for your Inspector" field while scheduling your inspection online.

County inspectors can arrange your remote inspection during their day. You must be prepared to use your mobile device’s camera to show the inspector the areas of construction ready for inspection. Be prepared to verify the address of the property using your device. Video inspections are at the discretion of the inspector and may not be possible in all cases.

Inspection Programs/Processes

The Third Party Inspections Program allows private-sector inspections firms to perform inspections of residential projects that would otherwise be conducted by the county.

 

The Third Party Foundation Program allows a pre-approved private-sector firm to inspect foundation inspection types on residential projects.

The Special Inspections Program monitors all major commercial and residential construction projects.

Existing elevators/escalators require additional periodic inspections, testing and county-acceptance to ensure these critical systems continue to function properly over their lifetime.

Backflow preventers require periodic inspections, testing and county-acceptance to ensure these critical systems continue to function properly over their lifetime.

Often referred to as a Certificate of Occupancy, the RUP inspection is requested by email no later than 12 p.m. the day prior to the inspection.  The request shall include the requester’s name, phone number, address and permit number.

NonResidential Use Permits (NonRUP) Requests are requested differently. More information and the complete process is available online.

Inspection certification for electrical work in parking lots, ditches, trenches, and concrete construction elements in non-residential construction and excluding swimming pools and hazardous locations.

The master electrician must provide this information prior to scheduling the final inspection.

Sewer submission videos are required for the following:

  • New Single Family homes built that wish to reuse the existing lateral.
  • Replacement of a lateral via “pipe bursting” means.
  • Before and after an approved Cured in Place Pipe (CIPP) liner installation.
  • As requested by an inspector.

The required Sewer Video will be uploaded through PLUS as an attachment, by the Applicant, on the associated Plumbing record.  The video will be required to be uploaded and approved prior to receiving a Passed Final inspection.

After Hours inspections will be processed through PLUS. Login to your account and find your associated record for which you want to schedule the After Hours inspection.

  • Under My Records, make sure they record has been issued and select the record.
  • Select Make changes
  • Select After hours Inspection
  • Fill out the required information
  • Application will be sent to permit staff to assess the fees
  • Applicant will receive notification to pay the assessed fees
  • Inspection staff will assign inspection to inspector

What is Needed During the Inspection

Ladders, scaffolds and other equipment necessary to access construction must be provided to the inspector.

Please ensure the approved building plans, site-related plan and shop drawings are also on site and available.


Contact Information

If you have a general question for the inspections department of LDS, please call 703-631-5101, TTY 711.

Our staff directory is also available online.

More resources about PLUS:

Close
Fairfax Virtual Assistant