Permit Requirements

From the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation: "Anyone who tries to talk you into getting your own building permit is not doing you any favors. Licensed contractors should obtain all building permits, not the consumer. The permit holder becomes the general contractor and assumes responsibility for the overall job – which may include taxes, workers’ compensation, and other legal liabilities. Unless you are very experienced in construction, it is best to leave these matters to your licensed contractor – and insist the contractor obtains all necessary building permits."

Do I Need a Building Permit?

Permits are required for most* construction and maintenance work of buildings and structures, including:

• New buildings and structures
• Alterations, renovations, additions and change of occupancy in existing buildings and structures
• Maintenance of existing buildings and structures 

Please review the Code memorandum, entitled “When is a Permit Required,” for guidance on whether your proposed project's scope of work requires a building permit. 

What Type of Permit Do I Need?

There are two general permit categories, Residential  and Commercial:

• Residential- Occupancies in detached single, two-family, and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories above the grade plane in height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures, including:

Duplexes
Townhomes, Rowhouses, Townhouses
Private Garages and Fixed Carports
Accessory Structures (Sheds, Garages, Playhouses, etc.) greater then 150 ft2
Private Pools
Decks, Porches, Stoops
Fences (greater than 6ft in height)
Retaining Walls (holding 2ft or greater of soil)

• Commercial - any residential or commercial occupancy not defined as a "residential occupancy" as stated above, including:

Restaurants, Cafes, Night-clubs, Taverns, Bars
Retail - Markets, Stores
Professional Offices - Doctor, Dental, Attorney, Banks, Dry-cleaning/laundry pick-up/drop-off
Storage
Schools (kindergarten - 12th grade)
Daycare, Childcare
Multi-family Dwelling Units, 3 or more dwelling units (Apartments, Condominiums)
Hotels, Motels
Dormitories
Theaters
Public Pools
Factories
Bakeries
High-hazardous Material Storage/Fabrication
Hospitals, Assisted Living, Congregate/Convalescent Facilities

Required Documentation to Submit for Plan Review

Commercial Projects

      Commercial Project Data Form

      Checklist- Commercial and Multi- Family Building Plan Submission

      Checklist- Demolition Permit

      Checklist- Fire Protection Systems (FPS)

      Checklist- Generators

      Checklist- Industrialized Buildings

      Checklist- Restaurant Smoking Inspections

      Property Owner's Affidavit    

Residential Projects

        Checkilst- Kitchen Renovations

        Checklist- Deck Construction

        Checklist- Demolition Permit

        Checklist- Finishing a Basement

        Checklist- Generators

        Checklist- Residential New/ Additions/ Accessory Structures

        Checklist- Residential One and Two Family Trade Permits

        Checklist- Retaining Walls

        Soil Evaluation 1&2 Family Dwelling Construction

        Property Owner's Affidavit

Points to Remember When Submitting Plans and Documents for Review:

• Provide Contractor’s information (as applicable - state license number, City of Alexandria business license number and contact information).  If no contractor will be conducting the work, then a Property Owner's Affidavit must be submitted.
• Provide five copies of construction documents (plans and reports), including all proposed trade work. Six copies should be submitted if the project requires Health Department review and approval.
• Maximum Plan Size is 24”x36” (unless waived by the Director) and minimum dimensions for plans are 1/8” = 1’-0” for plan view sheets and ¼” = 1’-0” for section details
• Residential permits subject to the requirements of the International Residential Code (1 &2 Family Dwellings) shall provide complete building and trade drawings.  Note: To reduce the amount of time it takes an applicant to obtain a building permit for small residential projects, Code Administration no longer requires trade plans for residential 1 & 2 family dwelling additions up to 3 stories and a maximum area of 1,200 sq.ft.  per floor. New Construction inspectors will review mechanical, electrical and plumbing work for code compliance on site during construction. To take advantage of this exception, applicants shall complete the following checklist available in the Permit Center:
  • 1 & 2 Family Residential Dwellings – No Trade Review Document Submission Checklist
  • 1 & 2 Family Residential Dwellings – No Trade Review Plan Submission Checklist
• Plans must be signed and sealed by a registered design professional (RDP) licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia (1 original plan set) if they are responsible for the construction documents (regardless of whether Virginia law requires the plans to be prepared by an RDP)  or if it is required by the Code of Virginia Section 54.1-400 administered by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation 
• Plans not prepared by an RDP, and not required to be by the Code of Virginia, shall contain:
  • The name of the person who prepared the plans
  • Occupation
  • Contact information 
• Site or Grading Plan indicating building(s) existing and/or proposed within scope-of-work
• 25% Deposit is required for plan review – based on estimated permit fee (Refer to Code Administration and Fire Prevention Office Fee Schedule ). The deposit is non-refundable and is deducted from the total permit fee when the permit is issued.
• Additional building and trade plan submission requirements