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Fence
Zoning approval is required for all fences. A building permit is not required, unless the fence is required for pedestrian safety or used for the barrier of a swimming pool. Steps 1-3 may be completed at the Development Services Building, 5 County Complex Court, Prince William, VA, 22192. Step 4 may be completed online or by telephone.
- STEP ONE: Zoning Approval
The Zoning Division counter is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Refer to Zoning Approval for a Fence in a Residential or Agricultural District for more information.
- STEP TWO: Building Plan Approval
The Building Plan Intake Counter is open for walk-through plan review from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m., Monday through Friday.
All building plans are required to be submitted via Prince William County’s ePortal system. Consult the Customer Electronic Plan Review (ePlans) Guide for information on how to prepare and submit documents for electronic plan review and the electronic plan review guide for building ePlan submission guidelines.
- Provide copy of zoning approval.
- Provide copy of building plans with footing and fence details.
- Complete the Building Permit Application, and obtain fee pricing.
- Approval is required if you are Building a Fence in a Storm Drain Easement.
- For pool barriers, refer to Pools, Spas, & Hot Tubs.
- STEP THREE: Permit Issuance
The Building Permitting Services Counter is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- If the homeowner is the permit applicant and will be responsible for the work, the homeowner must complete the Statement of Exemption.
- If the contractor is the permit applicant and will be responsible for the work, the contractor must provide a copy of his or her Virginia State Contractor's License and Prince William County Business License.
- Pay for permits based on the approved Building Development Fee Schedule.
- STEP FOUR: Construction Inspections
In order for staff to conduct an inspection, you must call for the appropriate inspection, the permit must be affixed to the front window of the residence (or a location that can be viewed from the road outside the residence), and the approved plans must be available for the inspector to review at the time of inspection.
Building inspections are conducted between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visit www.pwcgov.org/ePortal or call 1-866-457-5280 to schedule the inspection through the automated system. The system will prompt for the permit number or 6 Digit IVR Pin Number, and inspection type code, which were provided at the time of permit issuance. The inspection process will vary depending on the extent of the work. The most common inspection types and codes are 102 Pier/Deck Footing and 151 Final Residential Inspection.