County Permit SearchU.S. compliance directory
← Arlington County overview

Codes, exemptions & field inspections

Build to the adopted code. Verify every exception.

This guide translates the available agency record into a preconstruction checklist for structural scope, minor work, and inspection release. The adopted code and the issuing official control when a field condition is disputed.

Regulatory framework

The code baseline for Arlington County.

Arlington County enforces the mandatory 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code cycle in 2026: the 2021 Virginia Construction Code based principally on the 2021 International Building Code with Virginia amendments, the 2021 Virginia Residential Code, the 2021 Virginia Existing Building Code, applicable 2021 plumbing, mechanical, fuel-gas, energy-conservation, swimming-pool and spa, and fire-code provisions, and the referenced 2020 National Electrical Code with Virginia amendments. The County also enforces its local Building Code chapter and the 2021 Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code with Arlington amendments where applicable.

Inspection lane

Schedule each building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fence, sign, demolition, and applicable fire-protection inspection separately through Permit Arlington while logged in; the permit number is required. Keep the approved permit, certified plat, and plans available onsite. On the inspection morning, assigned-inspector information appears in the portal and is emailed between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m.; the onsite representative must contact the inspector or the inspection can be cancelled. Results and comments are posted in the portal. Virtual inspection may be available for eligible work. For help call 703-228-3800.

Minor-work playbook

Understand what may be exempt—and what is not.

Virginia USBC §108.2 exemptions include qualifying one-story detached sheds, playhouses, and similar structures not exceeding 256 square feet; fences other than required pedestrian-safety or swimming-pool barriers; qualifying tents of 900 square feet or less with an occupant load of 50 or fewer; certain low-voltage wiring; limited roof-decking replacement on specified residential occupancies; and minor ordinary repairs such as painting, wall covering, cabinetry, and floor covering. Arlington's zoning, floodplain, Resource Protection Area, land-disturbance, historic-preservation, and other approvals may still apply even when a building permit is exempt.

Field rule

A permit exemption generally addresses one narrow construction trigger. It does not automatically waive zoning, land-use, floodplain, shoreline, fire, energy, electrical, utility, septic, or right-of-way requirements. Obtain written confirmation when the project involves a new structure, structural alteration, change in occupancy, or concealed work.

Inspection pipeline

Keep the work visible at every release point.

  1. 1

    Request with lead time

    Schedule each building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fence, sign, demolition, and applicable fire-protection inspection separately through Permit Arlington while logged in; the permit number is required. Keep the approved permit, certified plat, and plans available onsite. On the inspection morning, assigned-inspector information appears in the portal and is emailed between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m.; the onsite representative must contact the inspector or the inspection can be cancelled. Results and comments are posted in the portal. Virtual inspection may be available for eligible work. For help call 703-228-3800.

  2. 2

    Preserve access

    Do not cover framing, reinforcement, wiring, piping, damp-proofing, or life-safety work until the required inspection has been completed and documented.

  3. 3

    Close the record

    Retain the approved plans, inspection approvals, correction responses, and final certificate or occupancy release with the property file.

Contractor verification

Verify the builder before the contract is signed.

Use the state licensing system to verify active registration, trade credentials, bond status, and liability coverage where available. Match the legal business name to the proposal and permit application.

Verify contractor ↗

Planning reference

Keep the parcel rules beside the building plans.

A building permit is only one part of statutory compliance. Check the local zoning, ordinance, map, or land-use reference before finalizing setbacks, height, lot coverage, access, drainage, or accessory structure placement.

Open planning reference ↗

Source trail

Official sources for this profile

Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.

Agency websiteOpen official source ↗Permit portalOpen official source ↗Fee scheduleOpen official source ↗Planning or zoning referenceOpen official source ↗Contractor license lookupOpen official source ↗

Project questions

Frequently asked questions for Arlington County

Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?

Arlington County Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development - Inspection Services Division is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.

How should I begin an application?

Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 703-228-3800.

How long might review take?

Residential application completeness check approximately 2 business days; published plan-review targets are approximately 10 business days for new construction and route-through additions, 5 business days for route-through alterations, and 2 business days for express additions. Final contractor verification and fee calculation take about 2 business days, and the approved plan set is generally available about 2 business days after permit issuance/payment. Revisions or incomplete submissions add time.

How are inspections scheduled?

Schedule each building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fence, sign, demolition, and applicable fire-protection inspection separately through Permit Arlington while logged in; the permit number is required. Keep the approved permit, certified plat, and plans available onsite. On the inspection morning, assigned-inspector information appears in the portal and is emailed between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m.; the onsite representative must contact the inspector or the inspection can be cancelled. Results and comments are posted in the portal. Virtual inspection may be available for eligible work. For help call 703-228-3800.

Which codes and exemptions should I review?

Arlington County enforces the mandatory 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code cycle in 2026: the 2021 Virginia Construction Code based principally on the 2021 International Building Code with Virginia amendments, the 2021 Virginia Residential Code, the 2021 Virginia Existing Building Code, applicable 2021 plumbing, mechanical, fuel-gas, energy-conservation, swimming-pool and spa, and fire-code provisions, and the referenced 2020 National Electrical Code with Virginia amendments. The County also enforces its local Building Code chapter and the 2021 Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code with Arlington amendments where applicable. Virginia USBC §108.2 exemptions include qualifying one-story detached sheds, playhouses, and similar structures not exceeding 256 square feet; fences other than required pedestrian-safety or swimming-pool barriers; qualifying tents of 900 square feet or less with an occupant load of 50 or fewer; certain low-voltage wiring; limited roof-decking replacement on specified residential occupancies; and minor ordinary repairs such as painting, wall covering, cabinetry, and floor covering. Arlington's zoning, floodplain, Resource Protection Area, land-disturbance, historic-preservation, and other approvals may still apply even when a building permit is exempt.

Field sequencing matters

The inspector needs to see the work at the right moment.

Code compliance is not only a plan-review exercise. Footings, reinforcement, framing, fireblocking, wiring, piping, insulation, weather protection, and life-safety systems each have points where the work must remain accessible. Build the inspection calendar into the trade schedule instead of treating it as a final administrative step.

When a project qualifies for a narrow minor-work exemption, keep a written explanation of why it qualifies and confirm that related zoning, utility, fire, energy, or environmental rules do not create a separate approval requirement.

Closeout file

Keep the approved plan set, inspection approvals, correction responses, contractor license verification, final certificate, and any occupancy release together. A clean record protects the owner, builder, lender, insurer, and future buyer.