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Code Administration

APEX will be Down and unavailable Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 6 p.m. and Thursday, June 12, 2025 due to system upgrade.

The Department of Code Administration works in concert with stakeholders (residents, tenants, business owners, building owners, architects, engineers, builders, tradesmen, contractors, and developers) as part of the safe building team.
Page updated on June 11, 2025 at 8:24 AM

Code Administration

  • APEX Permitting & Land Use System
    • Request an Inspection with APEX
  • Permit Center
  • Fees & Payment
  • Applications & Forms
  • Building Codes
  • Hiring a Contractor
  • Environmental Industrial Unit
  • New Construction Inspection Unit
  • Maintenance Code Division
  • Fire Protection Systems Inspection
  • Code Administration Homepage
  • Code Administration - Staff Directory & Organization Chart
  • Code Administration Monthly Activity Reports
  • Plan Review Services Division
  • Rental Inspections

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Alexandria Permit and Land Use Management Portal (APEX)

APEX allows you, our customers, to apply for permits and development plan reviews, to attach supporting documents and to submit payment from computers or mobile devices, eliminating the need to make trips to City Hall. 

Additional features of APEX include:

  • Electronic application, plan submission and review for permits and land use applications.
  • Improved communication between staff and customers.
  • Real-time status tracking for permit and land use applications.
  • Advanced search capabilities.
  • Online inspection scheduling, tracking and updates.
  • Online payments.

All customers should register on the portal. We are encouraging all customers to utilize the portal, not only to apply for permits, but also as a tool to process permit related payments. When visiting the Permit Center, customers will simply login to their Alexandria Permit and Land Use Management Portal account via kiosk to complete their payment transaction. The payment will post immediately and the receipt will be sent via email to the customer.

Registration instructions for the Alexandria Permit and Land Use Management Portal

For more information about the City’s permitting process, using the new APEX system, or Permit Center hours of operation, visit alexandriava.gov/Permits.

About the Department

Welcome to the Alexandria Department of Code Administration, where we work in concert with other City agencies and our stakeholders (residents, tenants, business owners, building owners, architects, engineers, builders, tradesmen, contractors, and developers) as part of the safe building team. Our objective is to assist stakeholders with compliance related to Virginia's Uniform Statewide Building and Maintenance Codes (USBC), and the City Code nuisance and development provisions. This is accomplished through permit processing, plan review; timely and consistent inspections, and education regarding the requirements of the referenced codes.  The department contains the five divisions of Permit Center, Property Maintenance Inspections, New Construction Inspections, Plan Review Services, and Administrative Services. 

Department Structure and Services

DEPARTMENT STRUCTURE AND SERVICES

Find out how the department is structured, and determine what services are provided by different units. Learn how these units work together to provide services related  to development review, permits, inspections, code violations, and nuisance complaints.

Permit Center

PERMIT CENTER

The Multi-Agency Permit Center processes construction permits, certificates of occupancy, elevator certificates, fire prevention permits, maintenance and nuisance complaints; manages permit, inspection and violation records; and fulfills information and records requests. Learn about the process.

Contractor

CONTRACTOR INFORMATION

If you’re a contractor who regularly visits the Department of Code Administration to conduct business, please visit our Contractor Information for the latest news, information, training opportunities and updates exclusively for you!

Hiring a Contractor

HIRING A CONTRACTOR

If you plan to hire a contractor to work on your property, get tips on how to select the right contractor, find out what permits and inspections the contractor is required to obtain for the work that is being done, and determine what policies and procedures must be followed.

Small Business Resources

SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES

Learn about opportunities for businesses and property-owners planning operations within Alexandria’s Enterprise zone, get assistance from the Small Business Development Center, and find out how to obtain permits and inspections that are necessary to open and operate a small business in Alexandria.

Email

NEWS AND MEDIA

Receive the latest news from the department’s online newsletter, The Code Connection. Obtain updates on new programs, initiatives, and changes that affect the department, permit processes and inspections. You can also subscribe to the City’s eNews group to receive regular news updates from

July 1, 2024 Permit Center Fee Schedule Changes

Code Administration Fee Schedule Effective July 1, 2024

Public Notification Memo Regarding Code Administration Fee Schedule Changes Effective July 1, 2024

Alexandria Code Administration Guiding Principles
Guiding Principles

When checking for daily inspection information, please check the Daily Inspection Viewer Website by 8:00 a.m. the day of the inspection as the information is updated up until this time

The 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) is effective January 18, 2024.  Additional information can be found at:
Virginia Uniform Statewide Construction Code (VA USBC)  

Standing Modification - Minimum Thickness of Galvanized Duct Walls for Single Family Dwellings 

Same Day Service Ends at 4:15pm. Please be sure to have all plans and applications submitted prior to 4:15pm Monday through Friday for same day services.

Scheduling and Obtaining Inspection Results
The Department of Code Administration offers immediate access to inspection results through our new permitting and land use management system customer service portal, APEX. Click on the icon below to get started. Once on the page click on the step by step document entitled "How to request inspections". 

Gas Permit Policy for Residential Additions & Alterations
Code Administration conducted a survey of the surrounding jurisdictions’ plan review requirements for residential fuel gas permits.  The results found that a majority of localities did not require a fuel gas riser diagram prior to permit issuance for residential gas pressures less than 2 psi.  Therefore, to stay consistent across local boundaries, the City of Alexandria will no longer require 1 & 2 family dwelling building (single family, townhomes and duplexes) applicants to submit a residential gas riser diagram for additions and alterations to an existing residential fuel gas system with gas pressure less than 2 psi.    

  • Please note - a residential gas riser diagram is still required for new residential homes and accessory structures.  Furthermore, there is no change in the plan review requirements for commercial fuel gas permits – a fuel gas riser diagram is required.  

NOTICE:  Code Administration’s fire protection systems (FPS) walk-thru services are now available on a scheduled basis.  Please contact Adrian Mirt - mail to: adrian.mirt@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4198 - to schedule an appointment.  

Tell us how we are doing! As we make improvements to assist our customers with the permitting process, your feedback is important to us. Please fill out our Customer Service Survey and let us know what we can do to improve the permitting experience. 

Code Administration Social Media

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Alexandria City Hall
301 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

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