Welcome to the Office of Building & Fire Code Administration

What's New

Adopted Fee Schedule
Effective July 1, 2009 - the Code Administration has adopted an updated Fee Schedule.
Code Administration's New Phone Numbers
The City of Alexandria is currently upgrading its 20-year-old telephone system. Code Administration has recently completed it's City Hall office upgrades, so please refer to the below updated directory to view the new main-line phone number, personnel phone extensions and fax number.
Green Buildings in Alexandria Web Site

Upcoming Training Events

Accessibility Training

The Multi-Agency Permit Center is Now Open!

The Multi-Agency Permit Center is designed to expedite service and improve communications by having staff from three review agencies (Code Administration, Transportation & Environmental Services, and Planning & Zoning) in one location. In addition, a member of the Finance Department also staffs the Permit Center to handle most Business License matters.

Contractor Alert: Virginia Contractor Recovery Fund Special Assessment

Current Virginia state statutes require the balance of the Recovery Fund to be maintained at a certain level. Payments from the fund have caused the balance to reach the level where a special assessment is necessary. Contractors have been paying $30 each time their license is renewed in order to fund the program. Since the statute limits a Recovery Fund assessment to $50 per two-year renewal period, the special assessment can only be $20. In accordance with the statutory mandate, the Board for Contractors voted to authorize the additional payment at its January 27, 2009 meeting. Here are some very important dates Virginia licensed contractors need to be aware of:

2/6/09 - approximately 70,000 notices will be mailed to contractors (not tradesmen)
3/27/09 - the $20 special assessment is due
4/27/09 - the licenses of all contractors who have not paid will be suspended

The Department of Professional & Occupational Regulations (DPOR) has set up a dedicated hotline to deal specifically with questions and concerns about this issue, please call 804-367-0132.

The Office of Building & Fire Code Administration Organization

Director John Catlett, MCP

The City of Alexandria Code Administration is comprised of six specialized units working in concert to manage City-wide code compliance of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Uniform Statewide Building and Fire Codes.

The Permit Processing Unit processes all construction permits, certificates of occupancy, elevator certificates, fire prevention permits, citizen complaints and manages property construction records. The unit also collects all fees and processes FOIA requests.

The Site Plan Review Unit works with Planning & Zoning, Transportation & Environmental Services and Parks & Recreation to ensure minimum emergency access and fire department connections are achieved for all new mid-rise to high-rise building developments. Site Plan Unit also reviews all Board of Architectural dockets, Board of Zoning appeals, encroachments, plot plans, special use permits, sub-divisions and vacations.

The Plan Review Unit reviews all new or existing renovated and altered commercial and residential building construction documents, for code compliance, under the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). Multiple project specific review programs are available to assist customers: Walk-through Plan Review, One-Stop-Shop Plan Review and the Traditional Plan Review. The Plan Review Unit is comprised of Structural, Architectural, Mechanical, Plumbing & Electrical disciplines.

The Fire Protection Systems Unit is comprised of three interactive sections that are responsible to review submitted fire protection system plans, commission new fire protection systems and witness inspection and testing of existing systems, including: fire sprinkler, fire pump & standpipe systems, chemical suppression, fire hydrants, fire alarm & detection systems, smoke control, and access control systems.

The New Construction Inspection Unit inspects all new, altered or renovated residential and commercial construction for minimum compliance of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). Inspection disciplines include: Building (Architectural & Structural), Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical. Multiple project specific inspection programs are available to assist customers: Traditional, Third-party and Special-inspections.

The Fire Prevention Unit is comprised of two sections - Fire Marshals & Fire Inspectors. Fire Marshals conduct investigations of fire and explosion related incidents, as well as, incidents involving the release of hazardous materials and environmental crimes. Fire Inspectors enforce the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Property Maintenance Code and Fire Prevention Code, as well as, city ordinances such as; rodent abatement, inoperable vehicles, trash & debris disposal and unfit properties.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to collaborate with building owners, design professionals, contractors and developers to ensure minimum public health, safety and welfare are achieved for all new, existing and renovated commercial and residential buildings. We are committed to attaining this goal by educating the public in the minimum requirements of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Uniform Statewide Building Code and Fire Prevention Code. Together, we can create and maintain safe, healthy, energy-efficient, accessible buildings for all occupants to live, work, play and visit.