Building Development Division

• Virginia Marine Resources Commission – If the dock will be constructed on the tidal waters of Prince William County, the Commission must approve the project.

• Fairfax Water – If the dock will be constructed on the Occoquan Reservoir, Fairfax Water must provide a preliminary approval letter for the project.

• Homeowners Association – If the dock will be constructed on a lake, if applicable, consult with your Homeowners Association to determine what approvals are required.

• You must submit the Flood Hazard Use Permit Application with your plans/plats at the Zoning Division Counter. Please include the Virginia Marine Resources Commission approval and the Fairfax Water approval if applicable.

• The Zoning Division Counter will refer your Flood Hazard Use Permit Application to the Department of Public Works, Environmental Management Division, for review and approval.

• You must have your plans/plats approved by the Zoning Division before applying for a Building Permit.

• No approvals are issued after 4 p.m.

• See Zoning Approval: Decks for more information.
   

Contact the Zoning Division at 703-792-6830 or [email protected] for further information.

Contractors are required to submit the Building Permit Application via Prince William County's ePortal system. Consult the Customer Electronic Plan Review (ePlans) Guide for information on preparing and submitting documents for electronic plan review and the electronic plan review guide for building ePlan submission guidelines.

A homeowner may submit the Building Permit Application to the Building Plan Intake Counter from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
 

• Provide two sets of Zoning Approval with the dock location highlighted to the Building Plan Intake Counter.

• Complete the Building Permit Application Form and the Electrical Permit Application Form (if applicable).

• Provide two sets of plans on 11" x 17" (minimum) paper drawn to a scale of ¼" = 1'. For conventional wood construction, provide a framing plan (view from above) showing all Joists sizes and spacing, beam sizes and spans, elevations (front and side views), cross-sections, all typical connection details, and pile details.

• Fixed docks and piers shall be designed for a minimum live load of 40 psf and a nonconcurrent 300 pound concentrated load.

• Floating docks and piers shall be designed for a minimum live load of 20 psf and a nonconcurrent 300 pound concentrated load.

• For docks constructed using alternative materials or construction such as plastics or composites, submit sufficient technical data such as a research report from a nationally accredited testing laboratory such as ICC-ES, UL, Intertek, IAPMO, or other.

• For docks requiring an engineered design such as floating docks, aluminum or steel structural framed docks, piles not driven to refusal, etc., submit plans and structural calculations sealed by a Virginia Professional Engineer.
   

Contractors will obtain the Building Permit via Prince William County's ePortal system.

A homeowner may obtain the Building Permit at the Building Permitting Services Counter from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

• Obtain a Building Permit after your plans are approved, or revise the plans and resubmit if they are rejected.

• 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 their Virginia State Contractor License and Prince William County Business License.

• See further information on Hiring a Contractor.

• Pay for permits based on the approved Building Development Fee Schedule.

• Contact Building Permitting Services at 703-792-6924 or [email protected] for further information.

Call Miss Utility at 811 or 1-800-552-7001 before excavating to ensure that the construction does not interfere with underground utility lines. "Miss Utility" is a free service to anyone planning to excavate. Utility companies support "Miss Utility" to prevent damage to their buried lines. Various companies will mark the path of underground utilities on the property. If you fail to contact Miss Utility and damage occurs, you will be liable for all repair costs.

• Post your permit in a location that the building inspector can see from the road in front of the house.

• To schedule inspections, go online to www.pwcgov.org/ePortal or call the Automated Phone System at 1-866-457-5280.

• You must schedule a 102 pier/deck footing inspection of the hole for any footing located on the land before the footing is poured. (NOTE: If piles or an underwater anchoring system are being installed, a County Approved 3rd Party Inspector shall perform the required inspection and submit a Building Inspection Certification at the time of the inspection.)

• Once the footing hole, piles, and/or underwater anchoring system are approved, start construction of the dock, pier, or gangway. If not approved, correct the deficiencies and schedule the re-inspection.

• Any dock 42" or less from grade to the bottom of the lowest floor framing member requires a concealment inspection before installing decking, stair treads, or trim that conceals structural elements or connections. See BDD Policy 4.2.8 Residential Floor Framing Inspections which also applies to docks.

• Do not conceal structural elements, connections, or attachments with trim or coverings before a 114 or 198 concealment approval or a 151 or 199 final approval. Trim and coverings are not required to be installed to schedule a final inspection.

• Schedule a 151 or 199 final inspections when ready.