Department Resources

Does My Project Require a Permit?

To assure that the county harbors safe and sustainable communities, it grants permission in the form of a “permit” that allows a given use on a property and its associated construction.

Land Development Services (LDS) issues several types of permits for construction including building permits, trade permits (electrical, mechanical and plumbing) and land disturbance permits. The type of permit you require depends on the scope of work. Additional permits or approvals may be required by other agencies, even when an LDS permit is not. For more information, see the Additional Permits May Be Required section below.

Permits are applied for in the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) where applications are commonly referred to as records.

Please note that the below is not an exhaustive list; it is meant to provide general guidance for homeowners, business owners and others. For more information, please review the codes and standards page to confirm permit and other code-related requirements for your project or reach out to Land Development Services directly if you have questions.

Direct replacement of household appliances
- Includes stoves, ovens, water heaters, HVAC, etc.
New, repair or relocated electrical fixtures
- Includes lights, outlets, switches, panels, ovens, dryers, EV chargers, etc.
New, repair or relocated mechanical or gas fixtures
- Includes duct work, range hood, fireplace, propane tanks, HVAC, etc.
New, repair or relocated plumbing or gas fixtures
- Incudes disposals, grinder pumps, sinks, tubs, showers, hose bibs, wet-bars, water heaters, stoves, ranges, water closets, connecting or disconnecting to sewer or water, etc.
Interior alterations/renovations
- Includes kitchen renovations, finished basements, bathroom remodels, removing an existing wall, building new wall(s), creating a bedroom, installing new window openings, new door openings, etc.
- Includes the installation and/or removal of non-load bearing/non-structural walls
New addition to an existing home
- Includes decks, sunrooms, screen porches, front porch/stoops, bump outs, second story additions, dormers, garages, carports, etc.
Detached buildings/structures
- Includes sheds, garages, carports, barns, gazebos, pool houses, etc.
New homes
- Includes detached single-family homes, duplexes and townhomes.
Miscellaneous work (both interior and exterior)
- Includes areaways, asbestos removal, chimney repairs, foundation repairs, waterproofing, roof repairs, etc.
Swimming pools
Solar panels
Retaining walls
Removal of a building or structure
- Includes the demolition of an entire home and/or removal/filling-in of swimming pools.

New, repair, replacement or relocated electrical fixtures
- Includes lights, outlets, switches, panels, ovens, dryers, EV chargers, etc.
New, repair, replacement or relocated mechanical or gas fixtures
- Includes duct work, range hoods, fireplaces, propane tanks, HVAC, etc.
New, repair, replacement or relocated plumbing or gas fixtures
- Includes sinks, tubs, showers, hose bibs, wet-bars, water heaters, stoves, ranges, water closets, connecting or disconnecting to sewer or water, etc.
Interior alterations/renovations
- Tenant improvements such as alterations to an existing space, alterations with additions proposed, new tenant layouts, alterations by owner, interior demolitions, metal stud only projects, modular/systems furniture, future tenants, spec suites, etc.
New additions
- Only new additions attached to an existing building (does not include interior alterations to an existing space – see interior alterations/renovations above)
Detached structures
- Includes trash enclosures, sheds, greenhouses, gazebos
New buildings
- Includes new multi-family buildings (including floors), footing/foundation projects, garages, core/shell projects, canopies/awnings, etc.
Miscellaneous
- Includes balcony repairs, decks, waterproofing, drain tile and miscellaneous work
Commercial sales trailer
Antenna
Asbestos abatement
Roof repairs
Foundation repairs
Maximum occupancy loads
Swimming pool
Solar panels
Retaining walls
- Retaining walls, sheeting and shoring
Removal of a building or structure (demolition)
Signs
- Though not an LDS-specific record type in PLUS, signs require a zoning permit application via PLUS. For more information, to include required documentation and review details, visit Sign Permits | Planning Development (fairfaxcounty.gov).
Certificate of Occupancy or Non-Residential Use Permit (Non-RUP)
- A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) or Non-RUP, can be applied for and issued when a building or premises is ready to be occupied and meets code requirements, pertinent laws, and ordinances. The Non-RUP is the last inspection issued by Fairfax County for commercial projects.

Fences*
- except those used as a barrier around swimming pools
Direct replacement of existing windows and doors
Direct replacement of electrical, plumbing and mechanical work (no change in location and must be a like-for-like replacement)
Re-siding of building/home with similar material
Replacement of roof shingles
Replacement of less than 256 square feet (9 boards) of roof plywood (unless required to be fire rated, such as townhomes)
Detached storage sheds under 256 square feet in size and no more than one-story in height*
Gutters
Kitchen cabinets and/or countertops
Bathroom countertops and/or vanity
Replacement of tiles
Replacement of flooring material
Painting and/or wallpaper
Playground equipment installation*
On-grade paver and concrete patios (including wood patios)*
Driveways*
Concrete and/or masonry walls that do not exceed 6 feet in height*
Retaining walls holding less than 3 feet of dirt/earth*
- Cannot have additional surcharge/weight (i.e., supporting a driveway or patio)
- Cannot be tiered
Temporary ramps that are no more than 30 inches high*
Direct replacement of above-ground liquefied petroleum (LP) gas containers
Low voltage (50 volts maximum) wiring systems and equipment that are not a component of any fire protection system, access control system, egress control system, located in a plenum or penetrate fire rated or smoke protected construction
Flagpoles 30 feet or less in height
Tents that are less than 900 square feet with less than 50 persons*

*NOTE: Depending on the size and location of your project, additional approvals may be necessary. For more information, please contact one of the following:

Site-related approval may be required. Please visit the Land Disturbance 101 web page, email, or call 703-222-0801, TTY 711 to find out more before you dig.
Setbacks and other zoning requirements may apply. Contact Zoning at 703-222-1082, TTY 711 or by email at DPDZoningPermits@fairfaxcounty.gov, for more information.
For work in the VDOT right-of-way, call 703-259-1773, TTY 711 or email novafairfaxpermits@vdot.virginia.gov.

Low voltage (50 volts maximum) wiring systems and equipment that are not a component of any fire protection system, access control system, egress control system, located in a plenum or penetrate fire rated or smoke protected construction
Direct replacement of plumbing fixtures (no change in location and must be a like-for-like replacement)
Detached prefabricated buildings housing the equipment of publicly regulated utility services that do not exceed 150 square feet*
Tents that are less than 900 square feet with less than 50 persons*
Fences unless used as barrier for a swimming pool or public safety per section 3306 (of the Virginia Construction Code)*
Concrete and/or masonry walls that do not exceed 6 feet in height*
Retaining walls holding less than 3 feet of dirt/earth*
- Cannot have additional surcharge/weight (i.e., supporting a driveway or patio)
- Cannot be tiered
Direct replacement of above-ground LP-gas containers
Flagpoles 30 feet or less in height
Minor renovations: floor finishes, paint/wallpaper, trim, cabinetry
Billboards*
Replacement of less than 100 square feet of roof covering
Manufacturing equipment
Parking lots and sidewalks, that are not part of an accessible route*
Outside playground equipment installation*
Automotive lifts

*NOTE: Depending on the size and location of your project, additional approvals may be necessary. For more information, please contact one of the following:

Site-related approval may be required. Please visit the Land Disturbance 101 web page, email, or call 703-222-0801, TTY 711 to find out more before you dig.
Setbacks and other zoning requirements may apply. Contact Zoning at 703-222-1082, TTY 711 or by email at DPDZoningPermits@fairfaxcounty.gov, for more information.
For work in the VDOT right-of-way, call 703-259-1773, TTY 711 or email novafairfaxpermits@vdot.virginia.gov.

Additional Permits May Be Required…

Setbacks and other zoning requirements may apply, depending on the scope of your project. Contact Zoning at 703-222-1082, TTY 711 or by email at DPDZoningPermits@fairfaxcounty.gov, for more information.
Depending on the area of disturbance associated with your project, a site-related permit may be required. Visit the Land Disturbance 101 page, Email staff, or call 703-222-0801, TTY 711, for more information before you dig.
Separate county approval may be required if the proposed improvement is located within a floodplain or resource protection area (RPA). For more information, call 703-324-1720, TTY 711 and speak with one of our engineers.
The Health Department permits and inspects certain public establishments and oversees installation, maintenance and monitoring of private wells and septic systems. For more information on Health Department permitting, visit their Permit Applications, Forms and Resources page or call 703-246-2201.
For driveway improvements, water connections, sewer connections or landscaping within the state right-of-way, a VDOT permit may be required. Visit VDOT’s permitting page, call 703-259-1773, TTY 711 or email novafairfaxpermits@vdot.virginia.gov for more information.

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