Loudoun County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

County building permits are issued countywide. County zoning permits apply only outside incorporated town limits; within towns, zoning approval comes from the town first.

Department

Loudoun County Department of Building and Development

Address

Permitting and Land Development Counters, Government Center, 1 Harrison St. SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, VA 20175

Phone

703-777-0220

Email

dbd@loudoun.gov

Website

https://www.loudoun.gov/buildinganddevelopment

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether county zoning approval is needed. Outside incorporated towns, zoning approval is required for new construction, additions, and change of use or tenant.
2. Create a LandMARC account, choose the permit type, and upload the application, plans, and supporting documents.
3. County intake performs an application completeness check. Residential intake is generally 2 to 5 business days for county-typical deck, county-typical basement, and residential trade permits, and up to 10 business days for other residential permits.
4. Pay the invoiced fees. Loudoun states review does not start until intake is complete and fees are paid.
5. Respond to review comments and resubmit if revisions are required.
6. When all reviews are approved, the county issues the permit through LandMARC.

Typical processing time: Intake review is 2 to 5 business days for some standard residential permits and up to 10 business days for other residential permits; broader review timing is tracked on the county dashboard.

Source: Loudoun County Department of Building and Development

General Requirements

Under VCC Section 108.1, permits are required before construction or demolition, structural changes, changes affecting egress, water, sewer, electric, fire protection, mechanical or fuel systems, regulated equipment work, some change-of-occupancy work, certain lot line moves, and asbestos disturbance.

Required Documents

• County zoning applications outside towns require a survey plat
• Existing and proposed structures with dimensions and square footage
• Setbacks to property lines
• Easements, buffers, and tree save areas
• Adjacent roads
• Property owner signature
• Construction documents when applicable

Permit validity

Permit applications are abandoned after 6 months if not pursued in good faith or issued. Issued permits may be revoked if work does not start within 6 months or is suspended or abandoned for 6 months.

Building code

Virginia enforces the 2021 Virginia Construction Code as part of the USBC, effective January 18, 2024; local enforcement is by Loudoun County.

Owner-builder

VCC Section 108.3 allows the owner, lessee, agent, RDP, contractor, or subcontractor to apply. Section 108.4 requires either proof of contractor licensure or a written statement that the applicant is not subject to licensure.

Contractor requirements

Contractors on building permit applications must hold a valid Virginia DPOR contractor license and a Loudoun County BPOL license for county jobs.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$65

Plan check fee

Residential plan review is $170 per review; miscellaneous building permit plan review is $130; commercial plan review starts at $425 depending on size.

Permit fee formula

New construction uses building gross area x type of construction x county permit fee multiplier; alterations without additions are generally 1.0% of actual cost; many trades and occupancy permits are flat-fee items.

Reinspection fee

$65 for building permits

Payment note

Loudoun invoices fees at intake. Payment is available in LandMARC by card, by cash/check in person or by mail, and by ACH for totals of $1,500 or more. A 2.65% card convenience fee applies.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Loudoun County Department of Building and Development to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• LandMARC portal (online)

Scheduling deadline

Cutoff for next-day requests is midnight

Inspection hours

8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

Typical inspection sequence: Typical county building permit sequence is application intake, plan review, permit issuance, required footing/foundation and framing or trade rough inspections as applicable, then finals and occupancy/use approval.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia enforces the 2021 Virginia Construction Code as part of the USBC, effective January 18, 2024; local enforcement is by Loudoun County.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Zoning Requirements
• Building Inspections
• Certificate of Appropriateness
• Hiring a Contractor
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Loudoun County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Loudoun County, VA?

Under VCC Section 108.1, permits are required before construction or demolition, structural changes, changes affecting egress, water, sewer, electric, fire protection, mechanical or fuel systems, regulated equipment work, some change-of-occupancy work, certain lot line moves, and asbestos disturbance.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Loudoun County, VA?

The minimum permit fee is $65. Fees are calculated as: New construction uses building gross area x type of construction x county permit fee multiplier; alterations without additions are generally 1.0% of actual cost; many trades and occupancy permits are flat-fee items.. Plan check fee: Residential plan review is $170 per review; miscellaneous building permit plan review is $130; commercial plan review starts at $425 depending on size..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Loudoun County, VA?

1. Confirm whether county zoning approval is needed. Outside incorporated towns, zoning approval is required for new construction, additions, and change of use or tenant. 2. Create a LandMARC account, choose the permit type, and upload the application, plans, and supporting documents. 3. County intake performs an application completeness check. Residential intake is generally 2 to 5 business days for county-typical deck, county-typical basement, and residential trade permits, and up to 10 business days for other residential permits. 4. Pay the invoiced fees. Loudoun states review does not start until intake is complete and fees are paid. 5. Respond to review comments and resubmit if revisions are required. 6. When all reviews are approved, the county issues the permit through LandMARC.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Loudoun County, VA?

Typical processing time is Intake review is 2 to 5 business days for some standard residential permits and up to 10 business days for other residential permits; broader review timing is tracked on the county dashboard..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Loudoun County, VA?

The following work is generally exempt: Low-voltage wiring and monitoring systems in the limited cases listed in VCC 108.2; One-story detached tool or storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses up to 256 square feet; Fences, unless for pedestrian safety or a swimming pool barrier; Concrete or masonry walls up to 6 feet above finished grade; Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill with no surcharge beyond ordinary fill; Pools no more than 150 square feet and less than 24 inches deep; Flagpoles 30 feet or less; Many ordinary repairs, including like-for-like window and door replacement in specified occupancies, fixture replacement without system alterations, some roof covering and roof decking replacement, flooring, cabinetry or trim, and paint or wallpaper.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Loudoun County, VA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: LandMARC portal. Cutoff for next-day requests is midnight.