Separation Permits are primarily used in commercial construction when a portion of the approved and permitted work for a structure or alteration is not ready for final inspection, but the rest of the project is complete. Life safety and required code items cannot be separated out and inspected later. When applying, include the room/areas that are ready to be finalized in the description of work. Building and trade separation permits must be obtained prior to calling for final inspection.
Separation Permits cannot be used to “Phase” construction. Phasing should be determined prior to submission of the original application. If phasing a project is something that comes into play during the review process or after permit issuance, please reach out the Permit Application Center for assistance at LDSBuildingPermits@fairfaxcounty.gov. Please do not apply for a Separation record unless necessary.
ON THIS PAGE
This information is the most common for how to obtain the necessary approval for your project and is not representative of all the conditions you may encounter.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Property owners 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.
PLAN AHEAD
Before submitting, ensure you are aware of all applicable regulations and conditions that could affect your project to avoid surprises during the review process. Some of those factors include:
- Zoning Information
- Design Codes and Standards
- Do I Need to Hire a Registered Design Professional (RDP)?
- Floodplains
- Resource Protection Areas (RPA)
- Grading/Site Plans
- Parking Tabulation
- Types of Soils and Problem Soils
- Researching Site Conditions
To get a detailed description about each regulation and condition, visit our Plan Ahead page.
HOW DO I SUBMIT MY RECORD?
PLUS Application
Apply for your separation record online in PLUS under the administrative tab. If you are a first-time user, you must first register for an account.
Instructional Video for PLUS
How to Create an Application and Submit a Permit in PLUS - YouTube Video
Helpful Instruction Guide:
Requirements
There are no required documents when applying for this record type, but you do need to have the associated “parent” record number (aka building or trade permit number) to enter once prompted by the system.
What's Next?
Review Process
Staff from the Permit Application Center will review your submission for completeness and compliance with the building code and county ordinances. Staff will coordinate with building inspections to confirm the proposed scope for separation is approvable. You will be notified of any deficiencies. Plan corrections, resubmission fees and additional supporting documents may be required.
- Queue Times
- Fees
- Workflow Routing Slip to track review and plan assignment
For a detailed summary of application progress, to include the name(s) of assigned review staff, click on “Reports” in the top-right corner of the PLUS screen, when you are in a specific record, and select “Workflow Routing Slip Report.”
Permit Issuance
Once all county reviews are approved and fees have been paid, your permit card and approved plans (if applicable) will be available to download from PLUS. You will also receive a link via a PLUS email notification.
Helpful Video:
Access Approved Plans in PLUS - YouTube Video
Building Inspections
Once the permit is issued and you begin construction, 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. For more information, see our inspections webpage.
Helpful Video:
Building Inspections (an overview on how to schedule an inspection) - YouTube Video
Occupancy
A Certificate of Occupancy (Non-RUP record type) is the occupancy permit issued for a commercial space after all permits receive final inspections and all conditions are met. Non-RUP applications are applied for in PLUS.
