Demolition Permits

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 & FEES

You will be required to obtain a demolition permit and a plumbing permit for utility cap offs. You may also need an asbestos removal permit (if asbestos is present) and/or a VDOT permit for land disturbance in the public right-of-way or if you are accessing your property from a new street entrance.

To demo an existing pool you must obtain a demolition permit, with a submitted plat or grading plan, which will require site, zoning and health (if applicable) reviews. No additional cut-off letters, cap-off's or demo-bonds are required for a pool demo.

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

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

When applying for a permit, you must upload:

• Site-Related Plan
• Demolition Bond (signature bond of $1,000 (residential) or $5,000 (commercial))
• Asbestos Certification Form (commercial structures only)
• Utility Abandonment Letters and Architectural Review Board Approval when demolishing a structure in a Historic Overlay District

Permit Process

Follow the steps below to obtain the necessary approvals and permits for your project. Vienna and Clifton residents require additional approvals 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) Asbestos Abatement Permit

  Asbestos Abatement Permit

  If asbestos is present, an asbestos abatement permit is required to be issued to properly licensed contractor. The contractor must complete and submit an Asbestos Removal Certification to close that permit.

   
• Step 2) Plumbing and Demolition Permit

  Plumbing and Demolition Permit

  Begin your permit application process online using FIDO. Follow the prompts to create your account, apply for your residential plumbing and demolition permits and pay the appropriate fees. Upload your required documents into the documents folder in ProjectDox. With an issued plumbing permit, cap off the applicable utilities and obtain a final inspection. Obtain abandonment letters from utility companies. If well or septic system is present, a Health Department review will be required.

   
• Step 3) County Review

  County Review

  County staff from the Permit Application Center, Health Department (if on well or septic), Site and Zoning will review your package for completeness and compliance with the building code and county ordinances.

   
• Step 4) Bond Release

  Bond Release

  All debris must be properly removed. The demolition permit must have an approved final inspection. Erosion and sediment controls must be in place. Established grades must be in place.

   

Inspections

You are required to obtain final inspections from the county for the plumbing and demolition permits. All county approved plans must be available on the jobsite. To schedule, cancel or modify an inspection online or with the Fairfax County smartphone app.

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.