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A permit is an official document or certificate issued by the building official that authorizes performance of a specified activity and grants permission to start construction.
Land Development Services (LDS) issues several types of permits for construction including building permits, trade permits (electrical, mechanical and plumbing) and stormwater and/or land disturbance permits. The type of permit you require depends on the scope of work.
A list of LDS record types (permit, waiver, plans, etc.) in PLUS, along with the associated requirements for that record, is available in the Permit Library.
Is a Permit Required?
Please note that this is not a comprehensive list; it is meant to provide general guidance for homeowners and others. Visit the codes and standards page to confirm permit and other code-related requirements for your project or contact Land Development Services.
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 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.
Only new additions attached to an existing building (does not include interior alterations to an existing space – see interior alterations/renovations above)
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
Replacement of tiles
Replacement of flooring material
Painting and/or wallpaper
Playground equipment installation
On-grade paver and concrete patios (including wood patios) 1
Driveways 1, 2
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
If a building permit is not required, a land disturbance permit may still apply depending on the size of the disturbance. For more information see the Site-Related Plans publication, Land Disturbance 101 web page, email, or call 703-222-0801, TTY 711.
A VDOT permit may be required. Call 703-259-1773, TTY 711, for more information.
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 1, 2
Fences unless used as barrier for a swimming pool or public safety per section 3306 (of the Virginia Construction Code) 1, 2
Concrete and/or masonry walls that do not exceed 6 feet in height 1, 2
Retaining walls holding less than 3 feet of dirt/earth1, 2
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 1, 2
Outside playground equipment installation 1, 2
Automotive lifts
If a building permit is not required, a land disturbance permit may still apply depending on the size of the disturbance. For more information see the Site-Related Plans publication, Land Disturbance 101 web page, email, or call 703-222-0801, TTY 711.
A VDOT permit may be required. Call 703-259-1773, TTY 711, for more information.
If a Permit is NOT Required
In specific or unique circumstances, a building permit may still be required. The above list includes items that are both exempt from a building permit and from the building code.
Items exempt from permit (section 108.2 of the Virginia Construction Code) are still required to adhere to the current version of the Uniform Statewide Building Code, it is optional as to whether or not a building permit is obtained. If the item is exempt from code (section 102.3 of the Virginia Construction Code) a building permit will not be issued.
Setbacks and other zoning requirements may still apply. Contact Zoning at 703-222-1082, TTY 711, for more information.
A land disturbance permit may still apply depending on the size of the disturbance. Email staff, or call 703-222-0801, TTY 711, for more information.
Separate county approval may also 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.
PERMIT PROCESS OVERVIEW
The information below is the most common process for obtaining a building permit; it does not reflect all the conditions you may encounter.
VIDEO: CHOOSING A BUSINESS SPACE IN FAIRFAX COUNTY
If you are thinking about opening a business in Fairfax County, watch this video to learn of important considerations you need to know when choosing the best space. In this video, county agencies will discuss zoning considerations, permit and inspections processes, and common pitfalls to avoid when choosing a space.
