This document provides an overview of land development and permitting processes in Fairfax County. It discusses when permits are required for construction projects, how to hire licensed contractors, the 5 steps to obtaining a permit, and additional online resources. Permits are necessary to protect homeowners and their investments, avoid higher costs, and comply with legal requirements. Homeowners should verify contractors are properly licensed before hiring them. The document provides contact information for the permits office and various county departments that can provide additional assistance.

1. Land DevelopmentLand Development
Services,Services,
Permit OverviewPermit Overview
Debby McMahon, Code Specialist IIDebby McMahon, Code Specialist II

2.  When Permits Are RequiredWhen Permits Are Required
 Hiring A ContractorHiring A Contractor
 The Permit ProcessThe Permit Process
 How to use the Online ToolsHow to use the Online Tools
 Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources
TopicsTopics

3. Why Permits areWhy Permits are
RequiredRequired
 Protect your familyProtect your family
 Protect your investmentProtect your investment
 Avoid higher costs in the futureAvoid higher costs in the future
 Required by lawRequired by law

4. When Permits AreWhen Permits Are
RequiredRequired

5. Hiring A ContractorHiring A Contractor
 To indicate their responsibility for the workTo indicate their responsibility for the work
 Enforcement actions against the contractorEnforcement actions against the contractor
for code violations become more difficult iffor code violations become more difficult if
permit is issued to homeownerpermit is issued to homeowner
 The County will verify the contractor isThe County will verify the contractor is
properly licensed as required by State andproperly licensed as required by State and
local lawslocal laws

6. Verify if Contractor isVerify if Contractor is
LicensedLicensed
To verify if a contractor is licensed:To verify if a contractor is licensed:
http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/LicenseLookup or call (804) 367-8500http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/LicenseLookup or call (804) 367-8500

7. Permits Application CenterPermits Application Center
The Herrity BuildingThe Herrity Building
12055 Government Center Parkway12055 Government Center Parkway
22ndnd
FloorFloor
703-222-0801703-222-0801
TTY: 703-324-1877TTY: 703-324-1877
Hours of OperationHours of Operation::
Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday 9:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Friday 9:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

8. 5 Steps-The Permit5 Steps-The Permit
ProcessProcess
1. Permit Application
2. The Application Review Process
3. Permit Approval
4. Construction
5. Inspections

10. Forms OnlineForms Online
 Building (Sample)Building (Sample)
 ElectricalElectrical
 PlumbingPlumbing
 MechanicalMechanical
 Household ApplianceHousehold Appliance
 AffidavitsAffidavits
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/formswww.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/forms

11. Publications OnlinePublications Online
 Additions and GaragesAdditions and Garages
 Carport EnclosuresCarport Enclosures ****
 DecksDecks ****
 Finished BasementsFinished Basements ****
 Pools, Spas and Hot TubsPools, Spas and Hot Tubs
 Retaining WallsRetaining Walls ****
 Residential DemolitionResidential Demolition
 Sunrooms and Patio CoversSunrooms and Patio Covers
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/publicationswww.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/publications
** County details available** County details available

12. Fairfax Inspection Database OnlineFairfax Inspection Database Online
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fidowww.fairfaxcounty.gov/fido
 Apply for a permit onlineApply for a permit online

13. Fairfax Inspection Database OnlineFairfax Inspection Database Online
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fidowww.fairfaxcounty.gov/fido
 Permit Fee EstimatePermit Fee Estimate
 View PermitsView Permits
 Permit StatusPermit Status
 Plan StatusPlan Status
 Schedule InspectionsSchedule Inspections
 Inspection StatusInspection Status

14. Land DevelopmentLand Development
Information HistoryInformation History
 http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/infhttp://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/inf
osystems.htmosystems.htm

15. Example:Example:

16. Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources
 Building Permits:Building Permits:
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/buildingpermitswww.fairfaxcounty.gov/buildingpermits
 Land Use & Development:Land Use & Development:
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/living/landusewww.fairfaxcounty.gov/living/landuse
 Consumer Protection:Consumer Protection:
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/consumerwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer
 E-Services: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fidoE-Services: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fido
 To verify if a contractor is licensed:To verify if a contractor is licensed:
www.dpor.virginia.gov/LicenseLookupwww.dpor.virginia.gov/LicenseLookup
or call (804) 367-8500or call (804) 367-8500

17. Other Helpful NumbersOther Helpful Numbers
 Permits Branch – 703-222-0801Permits Branch – 703-222-0801
 Site Permits – 703-222-0801Site Permits – 703-222-0801
 Zoning – 703-222-1082Zoning – 703-222-1082
 Building Plan Review – 703-222-0114Building Plan Review – 703-222-0114
 Inspection Requests – 703-222-0455Inspection Requests – 703-222-0455
 Residential Inspections – 703-631-5101, option 4Residential Inspections – 703-631-5101, option 4
 Code Enforcement – 703-324-1937Code Enforcement – 703-324-1937
 Health Department – 703-246-2201Health Department – 703-246-2201
 Sanitation – 703-324-5015Sanitation – 703-324-5015
 VDOT – 703-383-2888VDOT – 703-383-2888
 Consumer Protection – 703-222-8435Consumer Protection – 703-222-8435

18. Thank You!Thank You!