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

The minimum permit fee is $50 for Town zoning and sign permit; $0 for ARB application. Fees are calculated as: Flat fees for Town-side filings: $50 for zoning and sign permits, $0 for ARB applications, $10 for subdivision ordinance copies, $25 for official zoning ordinance and map copies. County fee schedule applies to County-issued building permits..

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

1. Determine whether the project needs a Town zoning and sign permit, ARB certificate of appropriateness, subdivision or zoning action, or a County building permit after Town review. 2. Contact the Town Clerk/Treasurer for forms or use the Town's posted forms-and-documents page. A zoning and sign permit application is required before getting a building permit and carries a $50 fee. 3. If the project is within the historic district (which covers all properties in town), submit for Architectural Review Board approval. No ARB application fee is charged. 4. Submit the Town application materials and fees to the Town. Planning Commission agenda items should be provided a week prior to the regular meeting date for placement on the agenda. 5. After receiving an approved Town zoning permit, submit the County building-permit application to Fauquier County for any work that requires a building permit. 6. Complete County plan review, pay County fees, and schedule County inspections during construction.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Fauquier County: 540-422-8230. 3:00 p.m. cutoff for next-day scheduling through Fauquier County if space allows..

City Building Permits

Town of The Plains, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Virginia Fauquier County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

The Plains is an incorporated town where Fauquier County provides building inspections. An approved Town zoning permit is required before applying for a County building permit. All properties within the town are in a historic district, requiring Architectural Review Board (ARB) review for improvements including signs.

Department: Town of The Plains (zoning and ARB); Fauquier County Department of Community Development, Building, Permitting & Inspections (building permits)
Address: 6451 Main Street, The Plains, VA 20198
Phone: 540-364-4945
Email: theplainstreasurer@gmail.com
Website: https://www.townoftheplainsvirginia.gov/forms-and-documents/

Online Permit Portal

Open Fauquier County EnerGov Self Service (for building permits)

Platform: EnerGov Self Service • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Determine whether the project needs a Town zoning and sign permit, ARB certificate of appropriateness, subdivision or zoning action, or a County building permit after Town review.
Contact the Town Clerk/Treasurer for forms or use the Town's posted forms-and-documents page. A zoning and sign permit application is required before getting a building permit and carries a $50 fee.
If the project is within the historic district (which covers all properties in town), submit for Architectural Review Board approval. No ARB application fee is charged.
Submit the Town application materials and fees to the Town. Planning Commission agenda items should be provided a week prior to the regular meeting date for placement on the agenda.
After receiving an approved Town zoning permit, submit the County building-permit application to Fauquier County for any work that requires a building permit.
Complete County plan review, pay County fees, and schedule County inspections during construction.

Typical processing time: No general Town zoning turnaround was found. For Planning Commission agenda placement, materials should be provided a week before the regular monthly meeting.

Source: Town of The Plains (zoning and ARB); Fauquier County Department of Community Development, Building, Permitting & Inspections (building permits)

General Requirements

A Town zoning and sign permit is required before getting a building permit and may also be used for signs to be installed within town. Improvements, including signs, within the historic district require ARB review and approval. County building permits are required where the work is regulated by the Virginia USBC.

Required Documents

Town of The Plains zoning and sign permit application
ARB application for improvements within the historic district
Fauquier County building-permit application and supporting materials after Town zoning and ARB approval
All Fauquier County standard building-permit documents as required by the County

Permit validity: No public Town-wide zoning-permit expiration rule was found on the reviewed pages. Fauquier County building-permit expiration rules govern County-issued permits.
Building code: County-issued building permits in The Plains are administered under the 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, effective January 18, 2024.
Owner-builder: No The Plains-specific owner-builder guidance was found. County and Virginia owner-builder rules apply to County-issued building permits.
Contractor requirements: No Town-specific contractor-license summary was found. State DPOR licensure and Fauquier County business-license requirements apply for County-issued building permits.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $50 for Town zoning and sign permit; $0 for ARB application
Permit fee formula: Flat fees for Town-side filings: $50 for zoning and sign permits, $0 for ARB applications, $10 for subdivision ordinance copies, $25 for official zoning ordinance and map copies. County fee schedule applies to County-issued building permits.
Payment note: The Town directs applicants to call, email, or write the Town office and send payments to the Clerk/Treasurer. No online permit payment page was identified for Town fees. Fauquier County handles payment for County-issued building permits.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Town of The Plains (zoning and ARB); Fauquier County Department of Community Development, Building, Permitting & Inspections (building permits) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Fauquier County: 540-422-8230 (phone)

Scheduling deadline: 3:00 p.m. cutoff for next-day scheduling through Fauquier County if space allows.
Time windows: After 8:30 a.m. on the inspection day, Fauquier County staff can usually provide a 2-hour inspection window.

Typical inspection sequence: No separate Town building-inspection sequence was found. County-issued permits in The Plains follow Fauquier County inspection staging and final inspection rules.

Additional Resources

Building code: County-issued building permits in The Plains are administered under the 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, effective January 18, 2024.
Zoning information: View zoning info
ARB Application Package
The Plains Town Hall
Fauquier County Building, Permitting & Inspections
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 The Plains (zoning and ARB); Fauquier County Department of Community Development, Building, Permitting & Inspections (building permits) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of The Plains Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of The Plains, VA?: A Town zoning and sign permit is required before getting a building permit and may also be used for signs to be installed within town. Improvements, including signs, within the historic district require ARB review and approval. County building permits are required where the work is regulated by the Virginia USBC.
How much does a building permit cost in Town of The Plains, VA?: The minimum permit fee is $50 for Town zoning and sign permit; $0 for ARB application. Fees are calculated as: Flat fees for Town-side filings: $50 for zoning and sign permits, $0 for ARB applications, $10 for subdivision ordinance copies, $25 for official zoning ordinance and map copies. County fee schedule applies to County-issued building permits..
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of The Plains, VA?: 1. Determine whether the project needs a Town zoning and sign permit, ARB certificate of appropriateness, subdivision or zoning action, or a County building permit after Town review. 2. Contact the Town Clerk/Treasurer for forms or use the Town's posted forms-and-documents page. A zoning and sign permit application is required before getting a building permit and carries a $50 fee. 3. If the project is within the historic district (which covers all properties in town), submit for Architectural Review Board approval. No ARB application fee is charged. 4. Submit the Town application materials and fees to the Town. Planning Commission agenda items should be provided a week prior to the regular meeting date for placement on the agenda. 5. After receiving an approved Town zoning permit, submit the County building-permit application to Fauquier County for any work that requires a building permit. 6. Complete County plan review, pay County fees, and schedule County inspections during construction.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of The Plains, VA?: Typical processing time is No general Town zoning turnaround was found. For Planning Commission agenda placement, materials should be provided a week before the regular monthly meeting..
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of The Plains, VA?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Fauquier County: 540-422-8230. 3:00 p.m. cutoff for next-day scheduling through Fauquier County if space allows..

Need help with your project?

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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.

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