Alexandria, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Quick Start

Permit Authority

Alexandria is an independent city in Virginia, so the City of Alexandria administers building permits directly and is not part of any county permit office. The Permit Center is multi-agency and routes permit work across Code Administration, Planning and Zoning, Transportation and Environmental Services, Finance, and Health as needed.

Department

City of Alexandria Department of Code Administration, Alexandria Permit Center

Address

Del Pepper Community Resource Center, 4850 Mark Center Drive, 2nd Floor, Alexandria, VA 22311

Phone

703.746.4200

Email

Permit.Center@alexandriava.gov

Website

https://www.alexandriava.gov/PermitCenter

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the permit type and submission requirements using the City permit requirements page and the APEX document library/checklists.
2. Create an APEX account at https://apex.alexandriava.gov if you will apply online.
3. Start a new permit application in APEX, complete all required fields, and submit a clear scope of work. For projects needing plans, upload the required documents and plan sets through the electronic review workflow.
4. Provide contractor information, including state license number, City of Alexandria business license number, and contact information as applicable. If no contractor will perform the work, submit the Property Owner's Affidavit.
5. Pay the required plan review deposit when applicable. Alexandria requires a 35% deposit for plan review based on the estimated permit fee; the deposit is credited against the total permit fee when the permit is issued.
6. Respond to plan review comments in eReview/APEX and resubmit as needed until all required reviews are approved. Alexandria notes that team plan reviews are performed electronically.
7. After approval, the City issues an invoice for remaining fees. Pay online or in person; the permit can then be issued.
8. Request required inspections in APEX by phase of work and obtain final approval before occupancy or final closeout.

Typical processing time: Alexandria's public permit pages reviewed do not publish a standard citywide review-time estimate for building permits. APEX shows reviewer assignments, review status, and anticipated comment return dates on active cases, but public-facing SLA data is thin.

Source: City of Alexandria Department of Code Administration, Alexandria Permit Center

General Requirements

A permit is required before construction or demolition of a building or structure; installations or alterations involving structural work, means of egress changes, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fuel gas, fire protection systems, or other regulated equipment; certain change-of-occupancy work; certain lot line movements affecting safety; and asbestos disturbance during construction or demolition.

Required Documents

• Contractor information
• State license number
• City business license number
• Contact information
• Construction documents/plans and reports
• Trade work information
• Site plan or grading plan when required
• RDP seals/signatures when required by Virginia law
• Discipline-specific checklists for residential, trade, deck, demolition, retaining wall, solar, generator, sign, and commercial submittals

Permit validity

Under the Virginia Construction Code, permit applications are deemed abandoned six months after filing if not pursued in good faith or if no permit has been issued. Alexandria charges for permit date extension requests, which must be made before permit expiration; the permit cannot be extended beyond one new Virginia building code cycle unless approved by code modification.

Building code

Alexandria states the effective date of the current Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code package was January 18, 2024 and points users to the 2021 Virginia regulations and the 2021 Virginia code books published with Virginia amendments.

Owner-builder

If no contractor will conduct the work, a Property Owner's Affidavit must be submitted. Public-facing city materials do not provide a fuller local owner-builder policy beyond that affidavit requirement.

Contractor requirements

Virginia requires applicants for building permits to provide proof of contractor licensure or certification under Title 54.1 or a written statement that the applicant is not subject to contractor licensure. Alexandria also requires contractor information and, as applicable, the City of Alexandria business license number on permit submittals.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$95.00

Plan check fee

Alexandria requires a 35% deposit for plan review based on the estimated permit fee. The deposit is non-refundable and is credited toward the total permit fee when the permit is issued.

Permit fee formula

Mixed schedule. Examples include residential new construction at $0.75 per square foot; nonresidential new construction at $7.50 per $1,000 of estimated construction cost; nonresidential tenant improvements at $0.48 per square foot or $19.75 per $1,000 of total construction cost, whichever is greater; residential alterations and repairs at $0.30 per square foot or $18.00 per $1,000 of total construction cost, whichever is greater; many trade permits use specific flat or unit-based formulas.

Reinspection fee

$72.00

Penalty (no permit)

Work without permit administrative fee is $250.00 for residential one- and two-family dwelling work and $500.00 for all other work.

Payment note

APEX FAQs state online credit card payments accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover; cash is not accepted. Checks can be mailed with the invoice or paid in person. Online payment processing fees are charged effective January 13, 2025 under the approved fee schedule, and those fees are charged by the City's vendor rather than retained as City revenue.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective July 1, 2025).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Low-voltage wiring and equipment meeting the Virginia exemption criteria, unless in a plenum, penetrating rated construction, or part of fire/life-safety systems
• One-story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses up to 256 square feet, if not Group F-1 or H
• Detached prefabricated utility buildings up to 150 square feet for publicly regulated utility equipment
• Tents or air-supported structures of 900 square feet or less with occupant load 50 or less
• Fences of any height, unless required for pedestrian safety under code provisions or used as a swimming pool barrier
• Concrete or masonry walls not over six feet above finished grade
• Retaining walls supporting less than three feet of unbalanced fill and not supporting surcharge beyond ordinary unbalanced fill
• Small swimming pools not over 150 square feet in surface area and less than 24 inches deep
• Replacement of aboveground LP-gas containers of the same capacity in the same location by the serving gas supplier
• Flagpoles 30 feet or less in height
• Temporary ramps serving certain dwelling units where the entrance height served is no more than 30 inches above grade
• Minor and ordinary construction work deemed by the building official not to adversely affect public health or safety
• Ordinary repairs listed in the Virginia Construction Code, including qualifying replacement windows and doors, plumbing fixtures without system alterations, certain receptacles and switches, certain non-gas/non-oil mechanical appliance replacements in specified residential occupancies, qualifying roof covering or siding replacement, limited roof decking replacement, floor finishes, interior finishes, cabinetry or trim, and paint or wallpaper

Important: Even when a building permit is exempt under the USBC, Alexandria and the state code note that permits may still be required in designated historic districts or special flood hazard areas, and separate approvals may still be needed from Planning and Zoning, the Board of Architectural Review, Transportation and Environmental Services, or Health.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• APEX portal (online)
• 703.746.4200 (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Time windows

AM or PM window

Typical inspection sequence: Alexandria's public-facing materials do not publish a universal inspection flowchart for all permit types. Based on the City materials reviewed, inspections are requested by permit section and phase through APEX, and the required sequence varies by scope. Typical building work will involve applicable rough inspections for building/trades, followed by final inspections, and occupancy-related work may require Certificate of Occupancy inspections.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Alexandria states the effective date of the current Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code package was January 18, 2024 and points users to the 2021 Virginia regulations and the 2021 Virginia code books published with Virginia amendments.
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Permits and Land Use Applications Hub
• Permit Requirements and Checklists
• Permit Application Process
• Building Codes Page
• Planning and Zoning Department
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Alexandria Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Alexandria, VA?

A permit is required before construction or demolition of a building or structure; installations or alterations involving structural work, means of egress changes, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fuel gas, fire protection systems, or other regulated equipment; certain change-of-occupancy work; certain lot line movements affecting safety; and asbestos disturbance during construction or demolition.

How much does a building permit cost in Alexandria, VA?

Building permit fees in Alexandria, VA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $95.00. Fees are calculated as: Mixed schedule. Examples include residential new construction at $0.75 per square foot; nonresidential new construction at $7.50 per $1,000 of estimated construction cost; nonresidential tenant improvements at $0.48 per square foot or $19.75 per $1,000 of total construction cost, whichever is greater; residential alterations and repairs at $0.30 per square foot or $18.00 per $1,000 of total construction cost, whichever is greater; many trade permits use specific flat or unit-based formulas.. Plan check fee: Alexandria requires a 35% deposit for plan review based on the estimated permit fee. The deposit is non-refundable and is credited toward the total permit fee when the permit is issued..

How do I apply for a building permit in Alexandria, VA?

To apply for a building permit in Alexandria, VA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the permit type and submission requirements using the City permit requirements page and the APEX document library/checklists. 2. Create an APEX account at https://apex.alexandriava.gov if you will apply online. 3. Start a new permit application in APEX, complete all required fields, and submit a clear scope of work. For projects needing plans, upload the required documents and plan sets through the electronic review workflow. 4. Provide contractor information, including state license number, City of Alexandria business license number, and contact information as applicable. If no contractor will perform the work, submit the Property Owner's Affidavit. 5. Pay the required plan review deposit when applicable. Alexandria requires a 35% deposit for plan review based on the estimated permit fee; the deposit is credited against the total permit fee when the permit is issued. 6. Respond to plan review comments in eReview/APEX and resubmit as needed until all required reviews are approved. Alexandria notes that team plan reviews are performed electronically. 7. After approval, the City issues an invoice for remaining fees. Pay online or in person; the permit can then be issued. 8. Request required inspections in APEX by phase of work and obtain final approval before occupancy or final closeout.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Alexandria, VA?

Building permit processing times in Alexandria, VA typically run Alexandria's public permit pages reviewed do not publish a standard citywide review-time estimate for building permits. APEX shows reviewer assignments, review status, and anticipated comment return dates on active cases, but public-facing SLA data is thin.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

What work is exempt from building permits in Alexandria, VA?

Not all construction work requires a permit in Alexandria, VA. The following work is generally exempt: Low-voltage wiring and equipment meeting the Virginia exemption criteria, unless in a plenum, penetrating rated construction, or part of fire/life-safety systems; One-story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses up to 256 square feet, if not Group F-1 or H; Detached prefabricated utility buildings up to 150 square feet for publicly regulated utility equipment; Tents or air-supported structures of 900 square feet or less with occupant load 50 or less; Fences of any height, unless required for pedestrian safety under code provisions or used as a swimming pool barrier; Concrete or masonry walls not over six feet above finished grade; Retaining walls supporting less than three feet of unbalanced fill and not supporting surcharge beyond ordinary unbalanced fill; Small swimming pools not over 150 square feet in surface area and less than 24 inches deep; Replacement of aboveground LP-gas containers of the same capacity in the same location by the serving gas supplier; Flagpoles 30 feet or less in height; Temporary ramps serving certain dwelling units where the entrance height served is no more than 30 inches above grade; Minor and ordinary construction work deemed by the building official not to adversely affect public health or safety; Ordinary repairs listed in the Virginia Construction Code, including qualifying replacement windows and doors, plumbing fixtures without system alterations, certain receptacles and switches, certain non-gas/non-oil mechanical appliance replacements in specified residential occupancies, qualifying roof covering or siding replacement, limited roof decking replacement, floor finishes, interior finishes, cabinetry or trim, and paint or wallpaper. Note: Even when a building permit is exempt under the USBC, Alexandria and the state code note that permits may still be required in designated historic districts or special flood hazard areas, and separate approvals may still be needed from Planning and Zoning, the Board of Architectural Review, Transportation and Environmental Services, or Health. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Alexandria, VA?

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Alexandria, VA via: APEX portal, 703.746.4200.