Do I Need a Permit?

PLEASE NOTE: The below applies to Residential projects only. Residential projects are one-family and two-family dwellings and townhouses. Apartment buildings, condos, and similar buildings are considered to be Commercial projects. For questions about Commercial projects, consult a Licensed Design Professional, or contact Building Development at 703-792-6930 or [email protected].

Restrictive Covenants – Check with your homeowners' association (HOA) to determine whether your community has restrictive covenants which would require HOA approval on any improvements or maintenance to the exterior of your house, including roofing, siding, painting, additions of decks or garages, and landscaping or privacy fences.

Zoning Approval – Exterior projects may require approval from the Prince William County Zoning Counters, whether or not a Building Permit is required. Zoning approval is always required for construction of principal buildings and accessory structures/buildings such as decks, additions, garages, carports, retaining walls, fences, hot tubs and swimming pools. Zoning approval is also required for some accessory uses, such as a secondary food preparation area (i.e. a wet bar and/or food warming kitchen) in a basement. You are urged to contact the Zoning Counters at 703-792-6830 or [email protected] or visit the Zoning page if you have any questions on Zoning requirements.

Building Code – All jurisdictions in Virginia are required to use the Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC). The state adopts the national model codes, with amendments, for use statewide so that everyone is subject to the same regulations. The applicable codes that are used for home improvement projects can be found on the VUSBC page. You may also obtain code and other helpful information from the Building Development Customer Handouts page.

Permits Always Required – A permit is always required for any of the following work:

Porches or decks where the floor is 16.5 inches or more above the finished grade
Accessibility Upgrades (i.e., temporary ramps, permanent ramps, grab bars, widening doors and existing interior openings, wheelchair lifts)
Additions
Garages or carports
Finishing your basement
Secondary food preparation area - wet bar and/or food warming kitchen
Residential accessory buildings (sheds) greater than 256 square feet in area
Any barrier/fence used for pedestrian safety or for a swimming pool
All retaining walls supporting more than three feet of unbalanced fill
Retaining wall of any height that supports a surge from a structure above (walls, roads, driveways, sidewalks, etc.)
In-ground or above-ground swimming pools or spas impounding more than two feet of water, greater than 150 square feet.
Removing or altering any structural (support) members and any work involving alterations to the house plumbing, electrical, or heating and air conditioning (mechanical) systems
Installing a lawn irrigation system (permit required for backflow device) - see the Lawn Irrigation System Requirements page for more information
Installing a prefabricated fireplace, insert, or wood stove
Installation or replacement of doors and/or windows when structural alterations are made or required
Replacing gas or oil furnaces, gas logs, or appliances (water heater, range, etc.)
Installing a new electrical circuit, fixture, or receptacle (see low voltage exception below)
New appliances in a new location and upgraded appliances requiring electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems upgrades

Permits Not Required – Remember that although the work is not subject to permit requirements, the work must be performed in a manner meeting code requirements. The following work does not require permits, or is classified by the code as "ordinary repair" and not subject to permit requirements:

Residential accessory buildings (storage sheds) one story and 256 square feet or less in area*
Fences (unless required as a swimming pool barrier)*
Retaining walls used for landscaping purposes that are less than three feet in height and do not support a surge from any structures above (Note: Retaining wall systems composed of several tiers of individual retaining walls will require a permit of the upper wall is within two times the height of the lower wall and the overall height of the tiered retaining wall system is at least three fee.)*
Concrete or masonry walls provided such walls do not exceed six feet in height*
Re-roofing or new siding repairs
Replacement of 256 square feet or less of roof decking (Note: Permits are required where the decking to be replaced was required at the time of original construction to be fire retardant-treated or protected in some other way to form a fire-rated wall termination. This case is mostly applicable to townhouses.)
Concrete (patio) slabs on grade that are not designed to support a future building addition*
Temporary ramps where the height of the entrance served by the ramp is no more than 30 inches above grade*
Replacing windows and doors with windows and doors of similar operating and opening dimensions that do not require changes to the existing framed opening
Re-glazing (glass replacement in the existing windows)
Installation or replacement of cabinetry or trim
Installation or replacement of floor finishes
Painting (interior or exterior) and wallpapering
Replacing gutters or downspouts
Flagpoles 30 feet or less in height*
Replacing existing plumbing fixtures (water closets, tubs, sinks, garbage disposals, etc.) where no alteration to the supply or drain/waste/vent systems are involved
Installation of low-voltage wiring (under 50 volts - door bell or security system)
Replacing existing light fixtures
Replacing existing electrical appliances when replaced in the same location with units of similar capacity where no alteration to the electrical circuit is involved
Replacing an electrical water heater with the same size heater in the same location
Replacing an electric furnace, heat pump, or air conditioning condensing unit with the same type unit in the same location
Repairing air-conditioners or furnaces by installing replacement parts