How much does a building permit cost in Town of Clifton, VA?

The minimum permit fee is $75.00 for all other construction and other use permits. Fees are calculated as: Town FAQ lists use-permit fees of $250 for additions to existing buildings or other new residential construction over $25,000, $500 for new home or commercial construction, $250 plus advertising costs for new special use permits or new bed and breakfast use permits, $75 plus advertising costs for amendments to those permits, and $75 for all other construction and other use permits; separate Fairfax County building-permit fees also apply.. Plan check fee: No separate town plan-check fee was clearly posted in the reviewed public pages..

How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Clifton, VA?

1. Confirm the property is actually within the Town of Clifton boundaries using Fairfax County real-estate records. 2. For internal work, email clerk@cliftonva.gov with drawings to obtain the town sign-off letter needed before Fairfax County will accept the county permit application. 3. For exterior work, additions, new buildings, fences, sheds, and similar projects, obtain the required town approvals first, which may include a use permit from the Planning Commission or Town Council and a certificate of appropriateness from the ARB. 4. If the project affects setbacks, obtain Board of Zoning Appeals relief where required. 5. After town approvals, obtain the Fairfax County building permit signed by the Mayor or designated representative where required. 6. After construction, return to the town for final use-permit closure where the FAQ says final town conditions must be demonstrated as satisfied.

What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Clifton, VA?

The following work is generally exempt: Storm windows and front-step repairs do not need town approval unless a Fairfax County building permit is required. Note: The town does not issue permits or inspect purely internal work such as plumbing, electrical, drywall modifications, and stabilizations, but town sign-off may still be required before Fairfax County will accept the county permit application

How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Clifton, VA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Fairfax County (building and trade inspections) or Town boards/staff (town approvals).

City Building Permits

Town of Clifton, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Town of Clifton, Virginia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Virginia Fairfax County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

The Town of Clifton is a legally separate town inside Fairfax County. The town administers local use-permit, historic-overlay, and ARB approvals, while Fairfax County issues and inspects building permits.

Department: Town of Clifton Town Clerk / Planning Commission / Architectural Review Board; Fairfax County Land Development Services as building official for county building permits
Address: 12641 Chapel Rd, Clifton, VA 20124
Phone: 571-781-2404
Email: clerk@cliftonva.gov
Website: https://cliftonva.gov/town_administration/faqs.php

Online Permit Portal

Open Town Applications and FAQs

Platform: Town website forms and email intake; no dedicated online permit portal • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Confirm the property is actually within the Town of Clifton boundaries using Fairfax County real-estate records.
For internal work, email clerk@cliftonva.gov with drawings to obtain the town sign-off letter needed before Fairfax County will accept the county permit application.
For exterior work, additions, new buildings, fences, sheds, and similar projects, obtain the required town approvals first, which may include a use permit from the Planning Commission or Town Council and a certificate of appropriateness from the ARB.
If the project affects setbacks, obtain Board of Zoning Appeals relief where required.
After town approvals, obtain the Fairfax County building permit signed by the Mayor or designated representative where required.
After construction, return to the town for final use-permit closure where the FAQ says final town conditions must be demonstrated as satisfied.

Typical processing time: Public pages do not provide a formal turnaround estimate; the Planning Commission generally meets the last Tuesday of the month and the ARB generally meets the last Thursday of the month if applications have been received.

Source: Town of Clifton Town Clerk / Planning Commission / Architectural Review Board; Fairfax County Land Development Services as building official for county building permits

General Requirements

Town approvals are required for additions, new structures, many exterior changes, fences over 6 feet, home businesses, changes in use, subdivisions, and other zoning or historic-district actions; Fairfax County building permits are still required where county code triggers apply.

Required Documents

Use Permit application
ARB certificate of appropriateness application
Design drawings
For internal work: emailed drawing set requesting a town sign-off letter for Fairfax County

Permit validity: Town website states Use Permits expire 3 months after notice that BPOL is delinquent; no broader building-permit validity summary was found on the public town pages.
Building code: Fairfax County administers the building permit and inspection function; the town pages do not publish a separate local building-code edition summary.
Owner-builder: No separate owner-builder rule was found on the town pages reviewed.
Contractor requirements: Fairfax County and Virginia contractor rules govern county building permits; the Town of Clifton also requires BPOL licensing for businesses operating in town.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $75.00 for all other construction and other use permits
Plan check fee: No separate town plan-check fee was clearly posted in the reviewed public pages.
Permit fee formula: Town FAQ lists use-permit fees of $250 for additions to existing buildings or other new residential construction over $25,000, $500 for new home or commercial construction, $250 plus advertising costs for new special use permits or new bed and breakfast use permits, $75 plus advertising costs for amendments to those permits, and $75 for all other construction and other use permits; separate Fairfax County building-permit fees also apply.
Reinspection fee: Public town pages reviewed did not post a separate reinspection fee; BPOL delinquency can affect permit status.
Payment note: Town maintains a payments portal, but the reviewed permit pages do not explain permit-payment mechanics in detail.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Town of Clifton Town Clerk / Planning Commission / Architectural Review Board; Fairfax County Land Development Services as building official for county building permits to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Fairfax County (building and trade inspections) or Town boards/staff (town approvals) (other)

Typical inspection sequence: Town approvals first, Fairfax County building inspections during construction, then final town demonstration that preliminary use-permit conditions were satisfied so a final use permit can issue. Fairfax County handles building and trade inspections for county-issued permits; town final approval items are handled through town boards and staff rather than a posted inspection portal

Additional Resources

Building code: Fairfax County administers the building permit and inspection function; the town pages do not publish a separate local building-code edition summary.
Zoning information: View zoning info
Town Council Applications
Architectural Review Board
Planning Commission
Fairfax County iCare Search
Fairfax County PLUS Portal
License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Town of Clifton Town Clerk / Planning Commission / Architectural Review Board; Fairfax County Land Development Services as building official for county building permits before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Clifton Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Clifton, VA?: Town approvals are required for additions, new structures, many exterior changes, fences over 6 feet, home businesses, changes in use, subdivisions, and other zoning or historic-district actions; Fairfax County building permits are still required where county code triggers apply.
How much does a building permit cost in Town of Clifton, VA?: The minimum permit fee is $75.00 for all other construction and other use permits. Fees are calculated as: Town FAQ lists use-permit fees of $250 for additions to existing buildings or other new residential construction over $25,000, $500 for new home or commercial construction, $250 plus advertising costs for new special use permits or new bed and breakfast use permits, $75 plus advertising costs for amendments to those permits, and $75 for all other construction and other use permits; separate Fairfax County building-permit fees also apply.. Plan check fee: No separate town plan-check fee was clearly posted in the reviewed public pages..
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Clifton, VA?: 1. Confirm the property is actually within the Town of Clifton boundaries using Fairfax County real-estate records. 2. For internal work, email clerk@cliftonva.gov with drawings to obtain the town sign-off letter needed before Fairfax County will accept the county permit application. 3. For exterior work, additions, new buildings, fences, sheds, and similar projects, obtain the required town approvals first, which may include a use permit from the Planning Commission or Town Council and a certificate of appropriateness from the ARB. 4. If the project affects setbacks, obtain Board of Zoning Appeals relief where required. 5. After town approvals, obtain the Fairfax County building permit signed by the Mayor or designated representative where required. 6. After construction, return to the town for final use-permit closure where the FAQ says final town conditions must be demonstrated as satisfied.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Clifton, VA?: Typical processing time is Public pages do not provide a formal turnaround estimate; the Planning Commission generally meets the last Tuesday of the month and the ARB generally meets the last Thursday of the month if applications have been received..
What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Clifton, VA?: The following work is generally exempt: Storm windows and front-step repairs do not need town approval unless a Fairfax County building permit is required. Note: The town does not issue permits or inspect purely internal work such as plumbing, electrical, drywall modifications, and stabilizations, but town sign-off may still be required before Fairfax County will accept the county permit application
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Clifton, VA?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Fairfax County (building and trade inspections) or Town boards/staff (town approvals).

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Town of Clifton can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

Learn how Jaspector works

Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

Other cities in Fairfax County

Fairfax Fairfax Falls Church Herndon Vienna

View all Fairfax County jurisdictions →