Building

Fee updates will take effect as of July 1, 2025. Review Permit Arlington Center Fee Schedules for any adjustments or updates.

Permit Arlington will be unavailable beginning Friday, July 25 at 5:00 p.m. through Saturday, July 26 at 4:00 p.m. for scheduled maintenance.

The Permit Arlington Center (PAC), associated phone support, and building + trade inspections will be unavailable on Wednesday, July 16 due to an all-staff meeting. Permit Arlington will still be available. On Thursday, July 17 phone support and building + trade inspections will resume at 8:00 a.m. and the PAC will reopen at 8:30 a.m.

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Resident

Residential or Commercial?

Determine whether to apply for a residential or commercial building permit.

Residential Building Permit Plan Review Process

Overview of the online residential permit submission and review process.

Residential Building Permit Submission Requirements

Requirements for residential building permit projects and other common residential projects.

Common Residential Projects

Learn more about: decks, fences, retaining walls, pools, and waterproofing a basement.

Moving Van/Container Permit

A moving van/container permit allows the temporary curbside placement on a street of several vehicle or equipment types.

Residential Setbacks

Setbacks determine the placement of a building on a lot.

Electrical Permit

Required for adding, removing, or relocating fixtures, appliances, or wiring for any electrical work.

Mechanical Permit

Required for adding, removing or relocating a variety of fixtures and systems for mechanical work.

Plumbing/Gas Permit

Required for adding, removing, or relocating fixtures, appliances, or piping for all plumbing and gas work.

Building and Trade Inspections

Learn more about scheduling building and trade inspections.

Land Disturbing Activity / Stormwater Permit Overview

The land disturbance and stormwater management permit is intended to reduce the pollution from sediment runoff and manage stormwater runoff from new development. It is required for any activities that disturb 2,500 square feet of land or more.

Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA)

The Arlington County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) has powers, duties, and procedures as set forth in broad terms in the Code of Virginia and in the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance.

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Business Owner

Commercial Building Permit Plan Review Process

An overview of the online commercial building permit submission and review process in Arlington County.

Commercial Building Permit Submission Requirements

Learn more about submission requirements for several common commercial projects.

Opening a New Business

If you have, or are thinking about starting up a new business find out the tax information you need to know.

Moving Van/Container Permit

A moving van/container permit allows the temporary curbside placement on a street of several vehicle or equipment types.

Certificate of Occupancy

A certificate of occupancy (CO) ensures that a building or a proposed use of a building/land complies with all state building code regulations and County laws.

Sign Permit

A sign permit is required before any sign or advertising is erected, displayed, replaced, refaced or its dimensions altered.

Electrical Permit

Required for adding, removing, or relocating fixtures, appliances, or wiring for any electrical work.

Mechanical Permit

Required for adding, removing or relocating a variety of fixtures and systems for mechanical work.

Plumbing/Gas Permit

Required for adding, removing, or relocating fixtures, appliances, or piping for all plumbing and gas work.

Building and Trade Inspections

Learn more about scheduling building and trade inspections.

BZA Use Permits & Variances

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is empowered to modify zoning requirements using Variances and BZA Use Permits.

Transportation Right-of-Way Permit

Required when activity in the right-of-way blocks or limits the use of any type of lane, including vehicular travel, curbside parking, etc.

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Contractor

Commercial Building Permit Plan Review Process

An overview of the online commercial building permit submission and review process in Arlington County.

Commercial Building Permit Submission Requirements

Learn more about submission requirements for several common commercial projects.

Residential Building Permit Plan Review Process

Overview of the online residential permit submission and review process.

Sign Permit

A sign permit is required before any sign or advertising is erected, displayed, replaced, refaced or its dimensions altered.

Fire Protection Systems Permit

Required for installing and changing fire alarms, fire sprinklers, standpipes, rangehood systems, and other suppression systems and components

Residential Building Permit Submission Requirements

Requirements for residential building permit projects and other common residential projects.

Electrical Permit

Required for adding, removing, or relocating fixtures, appliances, or wiring for any electrical work.

Mechanical Permit

Required for adding, removing or relocating a variety of fixtures and systems for mechanical work.

Plumbing/Gas Permit

Required for adding, removing, or relocating fixtures, appliances, or piping for all plumbing and gas work.

Building and Trade Inspections

Learn more about scheduling building and trade inspections.

Land Disturbing Activity / Stormwater Permit Overview

Transportation Right-of-Way Permit

Required when activity in the right-of-way blocks or limits the use of any type of lane, including vehicular travel, curbside parking, etc.

Looking for a different resource? View all

Developer

Commercial Building Permit Submission Requirements

Learn more about submission requirements for several common commercial projects.

Commercial Building Permit Plan Review Process

An overview of the online commercial building permit submission and review process in Arlington County.

Private Development

View a list of under review and recently-approved site plan and form based code projects.

Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC)

All information regarding the site plan review process in Arlington County.

Site Plan Applications

Learn more about submitting a site plan application.

Site Plan Review Process

All information regarding the site plan review process in Arlington County.

Electrical Permit

Required for adding, removing, or relocating fixtures, appliances, or wiring for any electrical work.

Mechanical Permit

Required for adding, removing or relocating a variety of fixtures and systems for mechanical work.

Plumbing/Gas Permit

Required for adding, removing, or relocating fixtures, appliances, or piping for all plumbing and gas work.

Use Permits

Use permits are required for land and building uses outside the rights of the ordinance in certain zoning districts

Land Disturbing Activity / Stormwater Permit Overview

Administrative Change Request

Any minor modification of an approved site plan or use permit which complies with the Zoning Ordinance, the intent of the County Board in its approval of the site plan or use permit and the general purpose of the comprehensive plan for the development of the area.

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News

Events

Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) Hearing (Hybrid)

17 Sep 2025 The Arlington County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) has powers, duties, and procedures as set forth in broad terms in the Code of Virginia and in the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance

2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Room 307, Arlington, VA 22204

3 more dates

Tagged as: , Advisory Groups & Commissions, Public Meeting, Adults

CANCELED: Zoning Ordinance Committee (ZOCO) Meeting (Hybrid)

09 Sep 2025 The Zoning Ordinance Committee of the Planning Commission reviews and provides comments and recommendations on Zoning Ordinance amendments.

Conference Room 216, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201

3 more dates

Tagged as: , Advisory Groups & Commissions, Public Meeting, Adults

Planning Commission Hearing (Hybrid)

03 Sep 2025 The Planning Commission (PC) is a citizen advisory board authorized by the Virginia State Code. It promotes the orderly development of Arlington County and its environs by advising the County Board on development and use of land, facilities and zoning.

Bozman Government Center, Arlington County Government, 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201

3 more dates

Tagged as: , Advisory Groups & Commissions, Public Meeting, Adults

Building

Let's get started! Are you a...

Resident

Residential or Commercial?

Residential Building Permit Plan Review Process

Residential Building Permit Submission Requirements

Common Residential Projects

Moving Van/Container Permit

Residential Setbacks

Electrical Permit

Mechanical Permit

Plumbing/Gas Permit

Building and Trade Inspections

Land Disturbing Activity / Stormwater Permit Overview

Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA)

Business Owner

Commercial Building Permit Plan Review Process

Commercial Building Permit Submission Requirements

Opening a New Business

Moving Van/Container Permit

Certificate of Occupancy

Sign Permit

Electrical Permit

Mechanical Permit

Plumbing/Gas Permit

Building and Trade Inspections

BZA Use Permits & Variances

Transportation Right-of-Way Permit

Contractor

Commercial Building Permit Plan Review Process

Commercial Building Permit Submission Requirements

Residential Building Permit Plan Review Process

Sign Permit

Fire Protection Systems Permit

Residential Building Permit Submission Requirements

Electrical Permit

Mechanical Permit

Plumbing/Gas Permit

Building and Trade Inspections

Land Disturbing Activity / Stormwater Permit Overview

Transportation Right-of-Way Permit

Developer

Commercial Building Permit Submission Requirements

Commercial Building Permit Plan Review Process

Private Development

Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC)

Site Plan Applications

Site Plan Review Process

Electrical Permit

Mechanical Permit

Plumbing/Gas Permit

Use Permits

Land Disturbing Activity / Stormwater Permit Overview

Administrative Change Request

News

Events

Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) Hearing (Hybrid)

CANCELED: Zoning Ordinance Committee (ZOCO) Meeting (Hybrid)

Planning Commission Hearing (Hybrid)

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