Step 4: Location

Every commercial tenant needs a Non-Residential Use/Occupancy Permit before you can occupy your space. If you intend to make physical changes to your space - or if you are changing a tenant space from one type of use to another - building plans and permits may be required.

Before you sign a lease, please be sure that your proposed use is allowed in your proposed location, that the space was constructed to a standard that accommodates your use and that the site has the required number of parking spaces for your use.

If your business is registered to and operates from alternative workspace, such as a business incubator, executive office suite, or co-working location:

1. You do not need to secure your own Non-Residential Use/Occupancy Permit if the alternative workspace has a valid Non-Residential Use/Occupancy Permit for the entire space and that use matches your proposed use (for example, the entire space is approved for office space and you are proposing to use it as office space). 
2. If, however, you are proposing to change or add a use (for example, a private school to an existing shared office space) you will need to secure a Non-Residential Use/Occupancy Permit to add your proposed use for the shared space. Permits, plans and inspections may be required. See also: Important Considerations When Hiring a Contractor

There are a wide variety of workspace choices available to small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent workers, such as co-working office spaces, incubators, accelerators, and virtual office spaces. See the EDA’s Alternative Office Space publication to see a list of alternative office spaces in Fairfax County.