Mechanical Permit

A Mechanical Permit is required for adding, removing or relocating:

• Mechanical fixtures
• Furnaces
• Air-conditioning systems
• Ventilation systems
• Exhaust systems
• Refrigeration systems
• Duct work
• Any related components to these systems

Replacement of these elements of the same type, size and location do not require a permit, unless its equipment is fueled by gas. If a permit is not required, contact Zoning for approval of the location of any outdoor equipment. In that case, a Plumbing/Gas Permit is required. Further exemptions from a permit can be found in §108.2 of the Building Code.

If you are unsure whether a mechanical permit is required, contact the Inspection Services Division by email or phone: 703-228-3800.

Submission Requirements

Mechanical permit applications must be submitted online via Permit Arlington

• Upon the replacement or new installation of any fuel-burning appliances or equipment in existing buildings, an inspection shall be conducted to ensure that the connected vent or chimney systems are (1) sized in accordance with the building code and (2) are clean and free of any obstruction or blockages, defects or deterioration and are in operable condition. You must provide the completed Chimney Vent Certification form through the revision process
• Review Permit Arlington online submission guidelines which include document sizing and layout, standard file naming conventions, and file type requirements.
• Based on the permit holder and applicant for your project, you may be required to upload a Permit Authorization Affidavit
• Applications that do not have an associated building permit may require plans or other supporting documents to be provided.
• If there is an associated building permit, the mechanical plans should only be submitted under the associated building permit.
• For some commercial permits, a fixture count may be required.
• When you apply, you must identify the type of building in your project. Some residential properties are considered commercial per the Building Code and therefore require a commercial permit. Determine whether your project is considered residential or commercial.

Application Process

Step 1: Apply online

• Register or log in to Permit Arlington to submit a Mechanical Permit Application.
• Step-by-step video tutorials and help are available here.

Some Mechanical Permit projects require plans to be submitted. Review the list below (click to expand) to determine which instructions apply to your project(s). If you don’t see your project listed, or if there is already a Building Permit for the project, plans should not be submitted with the Mechanical Permit. 

Step 2: Completeness Check

• Applications will be checked for completeness within 2 business days.
• If incomplete, the applicant and all email contacts provided on the application will be contacted by email. The comment letter(s) may be viewed by visiting Permit Arlington - Review Results Letters and entering the project ID (ex: MECH22-12345).

Step 3: Review and Revisions

• Commercial projects take up to 3 business days to review.
• Residential projects take up to 2 business days to review.
• Review times do not include completeness check or final processing windows.
• Depending on the scope, some projects may not require further review and will proceed to final processing immediately.

• The applicant and all email contacts provided on the application will receive an email with any review comments.
• View Permit Revisions to learn how to respond to comments and revise plans or documents.

Step 4: Final Processing

• After required reviews and revisions are completed, contractor information will be verified and permit fees will be calculated within two business days.
• The applicant and all email contacts provided on the application will be contacted by email with any required changes or with fee information.
• To pay the fee, enter the permit number into Permit Arlington Online Payment. See help guidelines for adding contacts to a permit.  

Step 5: Approvals and Printing

Once payment is received, the applicant will be provided with a digital copy of the permit and placard in the Permit Arlington system.

Accessing the Permit and Placard

1. Log in to the Permit Arlington customer portal and search for the permit number in the upper right corner. 
2. Click on the permit number.
3. Click on "Record Info"
4. Click on "Attachments"
5. The applicant should see a file named "permit"

Once the permit has been obtained and posted, construction work can begin.

The placard and permit must be posted at the project site, in adherence with the following guidelines:

• The approved plan set and support documentation must be available on-site prior to any scheduled inspections
• Minimum sheet size of 11 in. x 17 in.
  • Supporting documentation (ex: project specifications, structural calculations, etc.) may be printed on 8.5 in. x 11 in. pages.
• Plans should be legible and of an easily-readable scale
• Other than site plan drawings, no drawing should be printed at a scale smaller than 1/8 in. = 1 ft.

The applicant will receive access to the approved plan set (approximately two business days). This set will be available in the Permit Arlington system.

Accessing the Approved Plan

1. Log in to the Permit Arlington customer portal and search for the permit number in the upper right corner. 
2. Click on the permit number.
3. Click on "Plan Review"
4. Click on "Approved Documents"
5. The applicant should seethe approved plan set.

Scheduling Inspections

Once your permits have been approved, you must schedule inspections to ensure the safety and proper progress of the project.

The individual that will be onsite the day of the inspection must contact the assigned inspector the morning of the inspection. If the inspector is not contacted, the inspection will be cancelled. After 7 a.m. on the day of your scheduled inspection, use this guide to contact your inspector

If your Mechanical Permit involves the removal of a tank, final trades inspections must be completed before a Fire Marshal inspection can be scheduled.

Beginning January 2025: If your Mechanical Permit involves a new residential building, you must complete an Air Leakage / Duct Leakage Test(PDF, 162KB).

Fees

• View fee schedules and payment methods.

Fee schedules provide the range of fees charged for each type of application or activity related to land development in Arlington. Fees cover permitting, plan review, enforcement, inspection, service delivery, performance agreements and conditions. There are separate fee schedules for Inspection Services Division (ISD), Zoning and the Department of Environmental Services (DES). Some permits involve fees from more than one schedule.