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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Fairfax County
Required for most new construction, additions, decks, detached structures, interior alterations, new or relocated electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas work, solar, pools, retaining walls, and demolition.
Fences, except pool-barrier fences
Direct replacement of existing windows and doors
Like-for-like replacement of electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work with no change in location
Re-siding with similar material
Replacement of roof shingles
Replacement of less than 256 square feet of roof plywood, unless fire-rated construction requires otherwise
Detached storage sheds not over 256 square feet and no more than one story
Gutters
Kitchen cabinets and countertops
Bathroom countertops and vanities
Replacement tile and flooring
Painting and wallpaper
Playground equipment installation
On-grade patios
Driveways
Concrete or masonry walls not over 6 feet high
Retaining walls holding less than 3 feet of earth with no surcharge and not tiered
Temporary ramps no more than 30 inches high
Flagpoles 30 feet or less
- Exempt Fences, except pool-barrier fences
- Exempt Direct replacement of existing windows and doors
- Exempt Like-for-like replacement of electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work with no change in location
- Exempt Re-siding with similar material
- Exempt Replacement of roof shingles
- Exempt Replacement of less than 256 square feet of roof plywood, unless fire-rated construction requires otherwise
- Exempt Detached storage sheds not over 256 square feet and no more than one story
- Exempt Gutters
- Exempt Kitchen cabinets and countertops
- Exempt Bathroom countertops and vanities
- Exempt Replacement tile and flooring
- Exempt Painting and wallpaper
- Exempt Playground equipment installation
- Exempt On-grade patios
- Exempt Driveways
- Exempt Concrete or masonry walls not over 6 feet high
- Exempt Retaining walls holding less than 3 feet of earth with no surcharge and not tiered
- Exempt Temporary ramps no more than 30 inches high
- Exempt Flagpoles 30 feet or less
Required documents
- Application data in PLUS
- Plans, plats or site-related documents as applicable
- Owner authorization or contractor information when applicable
- Building code
- 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and related Virginia codes administered locally by LDS.
- Permit validity
- Public county material states a permit remains valid while work continues, but expires after 6 months of no activity; older county expiration notices also cite 6 months if work has not started or has been abandoned.
- Owner-builder
- Property owners may obtain permits in their own name, but Fairfax County strongly recommends that a properly licensed contractor pull the permit when contractor work is involved.
- Contractor requirements
- DPOR state contractor licensing applies; Fairfax County also requires a Fairfax County Home Improvement Contractor license for DPOR Class C contractors and those below the Class C threshold.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No single countywide building-permit review time was published on the main permit pages reviewed; timing varies by permit type and completeness.
- 01 Confirm whether the scope needs a permit using the county's "Does My Project Require a Permit?" page and the Permit Library.
- 02 Create or log into a PLUS account and choose the correct record type in the Permit Library.
- 03 Upload plans and supporting documents in PLUS, including site-related documents where required.
- 04 Respond to corrections and resubmit through PLUS until reviews are approved.
- 05 Pay assessed fees in PLUS and download the issued permit and approved plans.
Typical processing time: No single countywide building-permit review time was published on the main permit pages reviewed; timing varies by permit type and completeness.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Fairfax County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$108.00 base fee
02
Plan check fee
Included within Appendix Q permit-fee framework; varies by record type.
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed schedule under Appendix Q by permit type, equipment, fixture, and other factors; county notices also note a 1% code academy surcharge on building records.
04
Reinspection fee
Incomplete or not-ready inspections can trigger a reinspection fee; after-hours re-energization or time-specific inspection fee is $241.20 per 30 minutes; permit amendments have a $36 minimum.
Fees are assessed and paid through PLUS; in-person assistance is available through LDS.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- PLUS portal (online)
- Scheduling deadline
- Request by 11:59 p.m. for next-business-day inspection; applicants receive a 2-hour arrival window by email the morning of inspection.
- Time windows
- 2-hour arrival window
Typical sequence: Typical sequence depends on scope, but commonly moves through footing, foundation, framing and rough trade inspections, insulation where applicable, then final inspection or use permit inspection.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Fairfax County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Fairfax County, VA? ▸
Required for most new construction, additions, decks, detached structures, interior alterations, new or relocated electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas work, solar, pools, retaining walls, and demolition.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Fairfax County, VA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Fairfax County, VA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $108.00 base fee. Fees are calculated as: Mixed schedule under Appendix Q by permit type, equipment, fixture, and other factors; county notices also note a 1% code academy surcharge on building records.. Plan check fee: Included within Appendix Q permit-fee framework; varies by record type..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Fairfax County, VA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Fairfax County, VA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the scope needs a permit using the county's "Does My Project Require a Permit?" page and the Permit Library. 2. Create or log into a PLUS account and choose the correct record type in the Permit Library. 3. Upload plans and supporting documents in PLUS, including site-related documents where required. 4. Respond to corrections and resubmit through PLUS until reviews are approved. 5. Pay assessed fees in PLUS and download the issued permit and approved plans.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Fairfax County, VA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Fairfax County, VA typically run No single countywide building-permit review time was published on the main permit pages reviewed; timing varies by permit type and completeness.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Fairfax County, VA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Fairfax County, VA. The following work is generally exempt: Fences, except pool-barrier fences; Direct replacement of existing windows and doors; Like-for-like replacement of electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work with no change in location; Re-siding with similar material; Replacement of roof shingles; Replacement of less than 256 square feet of roof plywood, unless fire-rated construction requires otherwise; Detached storage sheds not over 256 square feet and no more than one story; Gutters; Kitchen cabinets and countertops; Bathroom countertops and vanities; Replacement tile and flooring; Painting and wallpaper; Playground equipment installation; On-grade patios; Driveways; Concrete or masonry walls not over 6 feet high; Retaining walls holding less than 3 feet of earth with no surcharge and not tiered; Temporary ramps no more than 30 inches high; Flagpoles 30 feet or less. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Fairfax County, VA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Fairfax County, VA via: PLUS portal. Request by 11:59 p.m. for next-business-day inspection; applicants receive a 2-hour arrival window by email the morning of inspection..
last verified April 2026
source Fairfax County Land Development Services ↗
entry id permits/virginia/fairfax/fairfax-county
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Fairfax County Land Development Services before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.