City Building Permits

Town of Leesburg, VIRGINIA Building Permit Guide

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

Virginia Loudoun County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Leesburg issues town zoning and land use approvals inside town limits. Loudoun County issues building and trade permits after town zoning approval when county permits are required.

Department
Town of Leesburg Department of Community Development
Address
222 Catoctin Circle SE, Suite 200, Leesburg, VA 20175
Phone
703-771-2765
Website
https://www.leesburgva.gov/departments/community-development

Online Permit Portal

Open eTRAKiT / CentralSquare

Platform: eTRAKiT / CentralSquare • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Create an eTRAKiT account.
  2. Submit the zoning permit application electronically with the Property Owner's Consent Form and required supporting documents.
  3. If the property is in the Old and Historic District, Gateway District, or H-2 corridor area, file any needed Certificate of Appropriateness materials through eTRAKiT as part of the review path.
  4. Pay the fee at submission through eTRAKiT or town payment channels.
  5. Town staff reviews for zoning compliance and issues or denies the zoning permit. Town ordinance states zoning permits are issued or denied within 10 business days of application.
  6. If the project also needs building or trade permits, apply separately to Loudoun County after town zoning approval. Schedule supported town inspections through eTRAKiT.

Typical processing time: Town zoning permits are to be issued or denied within 10 business days of application.

Source: Town of Leesburg Department of Community Development

General Requirements

The town requires permit applications for many property improvement and use changes, including decks, sheds, patios, pools, screened porches, finishing a basement, new construction, construction trailers, new businesses, changes of use, home occupations, signs, and temporary uses.

Required Documents

  • eTRAKiT application
  • Property Owner's Consent Form
  • Project-specific supporting documents
  • Engineering or preservation materials may also be required depending on project type and location
Permit validity
Town zoning permits lapse if work does not commence within 1 year of issuance; the Zoning Administrator may extend for up to 1 additional year for good cause.
Building code
Local land use review is under the Town of Leesburg Zoning Ordinance; building and trade permits are administered by Loudoun County under the 2021 Virginia Construction Code / USBC.
Owner-builder
Owner consent is required with the town application. County building permits then follow Virginia owner/agent application rules.
Contractor requirements
Town work requiring county building permits must use contractors meeting Virginia licensing rules; for work in incorporated towns, Loudoun states the contractor should obtain BPOL licensing from the respective town.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$30 per accessory structure zoning permit
Plan check fee
No separate zoning plan check fee is published on the town zoning fee schedule; review is built into listed application fees.
Permit fee formula
Flat-fee zoning schedule. Examples include $450 new residential construction, $50 residential addition or exterior alteration, $30 accessory structure, $75 commercial use/fit-up, and $50 demolition.
Payment note
Fees are collected at submittal. Town notes a 2.49% convenience fee for credit cards and $0.50 for online check payments. eTRAKiT payments are processed through Paymentus.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Town of Leesburg Department of Community Development to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspection hours
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Town zoning review first, then any needed county building permit, then applicable town or county inspections depending on permit type; occupancy-related inspections follow permit-specific requirements.

Additional Resources

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

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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