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.
This information is the most common for how to obtain the necessary permits for your residential project and is not representative of all the conditions you may encounter.
PERMITS NEEDED
The types of permits required, as listed below, may be required depending on the size and complexity of your EVCS.
Electrical permit for new circuits and outlets (no permit is required if you are plugging a stand-alone charging station into an existing outlet).
Commercial New Building permit for commercial charging stations with an overhead canopy or other type of structure.
Sign permit for commercial charging stations with advertising signs.
There are also applicable Zoning Provisions for electric vehicle charging stations. Please review the EVC memorandum and checklist for more information.
FEES
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized the exemption (no fees) of all electrical, building and sign permit fees for electric vehicle charging stations for a trial period of 18 months. The exemption was effective Oct. 31, 2022.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
Depending on the scope of your project, one or more of the following documents may be required:
Architectural/Structural Plans. For single family dwellings, no plan submission for EVCS is required. You will only be required to submit an electrical permit through PLUS.
Homeowners may obtain permits in their own name. However, it is strongly recommended a properly licensed contractor pull the permits as the responsible party so the county can better assist in gaining compliance for defective work.
Permit Process
Follow the steps below to obtain the necessary approvals and permits for your EVCS.
Vienna and Clifton residents require additional approvals from their respective towns.
Obtain permits online using PLUS. If you are a first-time user, you must first follow the prompts to create an account. Once you are logged into PLUS, apply for a new commercial building permit if required and an electrical permit.
County staff from the Permit Application Center, Building Plan Review, Site 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.
Once all county reviews are approved and outstanding fees have been paid, you can access your approved plans in PLUS. The permit for the construction of any structures and the installation of the electrical components must be printed and posted at the job site for the duration of the project.
Inspections
Each phase of building construction must be inspected to ensure work is performed in accordance with code and approved plans.
