Fees, valuation & enforcement
Permit fees are a project input. Enforcement exposure is a project risk. Use the official schedule where available, then confirm valuation, trade permits, plan review, and inspection charges with the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Official fee pathway
The final charge may depend on declared construction value, occupancy classification, square footage, plan review, state surcharges, trade permits, technology fees, and inspection activity. Do not use a neighboring city’s fee table as a substitute for this jurisdiction.
Fee desk contact
703-228-3800
Ask the counter to confirm current charges before submitting a project with multiple trades or a change of use.
Financial exposure
Plan for building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire, energy, zoning, septic, right-of-way, or other reviews that the project scope triggers. The lowest initial permit fee is not always the lowest project cost.
Enforcement exposure
When work begins without authorization, the agency may halt the site, require corrective plans, impose additional fees, withhold inspection release, or require concealed work to be exposed for review.
Closeout exposure
A missing final inspection or certificate can complicate occupancy, refinancing, sale, insurance, and utility connection. Preserve the approved plans and signed inspection record through closeout.
Professional field note
Even when a cosmetic or minor project does not require a building permit, zoning, floodplain, shoreline, historic, utility, fire, or right-of-way controls may still apply. Confirm the full jurisdictional picture before work starts.
Source trail
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.
Project questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Why permit costs vary
Building departments commonly calculate charges from valuation, occupancy, floor area, project type, plan review effort, trade scope, state surcharges, and inspection activity. A remodel that appears small on paper may still trigger structural, energy, fire, or utility review. Ask the permit counter which disciplines apply before you finalize the construction budget.
The same discipline applies to enforcement. Correcting unpermitted work after finishes are installed can require demolition, revised plans, additional inspections, and schedule disruption. Authorization is usually the less expensive project-management decision.