City Building Permits

Sterling (Loudoun County), VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Sterling (Loudoun County), Virginia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Virginia Loudoun County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Sterling appears in Loudoun's county community materials but is not one of the seven incorporated towns listed by the county. Based on official county scope pages, Sterling permitting runs through Loudoun County.

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
Website
https://www.loudoun.gov/buildinganddevelopment

Online Permit Portal

Open LandMARC / Tyler EnerGov Self Service

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

Application Process

  1. Confirm the Sterling address is in unincorporated Loudoun and not in an incorporated town.
  2. File the permit in LandMARC with plans and county-required supporting materials.
  3. Wait for intake completeness review and fee invoicing.
  4. Pay fees, then proceed through county review.
  5. Revise and resubmit if comments are issued.
  6. Receive permit and complete county inspections.

Typical processing time: Same county residential intake benchmarks apply: 2 to 5 business days for some standard residential permits and up to 10 business days for other residential permits.

Source: Loudoun County Department of Building and Development

General Requirements

County VCC and zoning triggers apply.

Required Documents

  • County plats
  • Plans and setbacks
  • Easement or buffer information
  • Owner signature
  • Construction documents as applicable
Permit validity
County application and permit expiration rules apply.
Building code
2021 Virginia Construction Code / USBC, enforced by Loudoun County.
Owner-builder
County follows VCC 108.3 and 108.4.
Contractor requirements
Virginia DPOR license plus Loudoun County BPOL.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$65
Plan check fee
County residential plan review $170 per review; miscellaneous plan review $130.
Permit fee formula
County formula and flat-fee schedule.
Reinspection fee
$65
Payment note
County LandMARC invoice workflow, with county payment options and card convenience fee.

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

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

Typical inspection sequence: County review, issuance, required stage inspections, final inspections, then occupancy/use approval if applicable.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Loudoun County Department of Building and Development before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sterling (Loudoun County) Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Sterling (Loudoun County), VA?
County VCC and zoning triggers apply.
How much does a building permit cost in Sterling (Loudoun County), VA?
The minimum permit fee is $65. Fees are calculated as: County formula and flat-fee schedule.. Plan check fee: County residential plan review $170 per review; miscellaneous plan review $130..
How do I apply for a building permit in Sterling (Loudoun County), VA?
1. Confirm the Sterling address is in unincorporated Loudoun and not in an incorporated town. 2. File the permit in LandMARC with plans and county-required supporting materials. 3. Wait for intake completeness review and fee invoicing. 4. Pay fees, then proceed through county review. 5. Revise and resubmit if comments are issued. 6. Receive permit and complete county inspections.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Sterling (Loudoun County), VA?
Typical processing time is Same county residential intake benchmarks apply: 2 to 5 business days for some standard residential permits and up to 10 business days for other residential permits..
What work is exempt from building permits in Sterling (Loudoun County), VA?
The following work is generally exempt: County VCC exemption list applies to Sterling addresses in unincorporated Loudoun.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Sterling (Loudoun County), VA?
Inspections can be scheduled via: County LandMARC.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Sterling (Loudoun County) 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 Loudoun County

Loudoun Leesburg Ashburn South Riding Purcellville Middleburg
View all Loudoun County jurisdictions →