Home Reno Permit Essentials in Fairfax County

If you are considering a home addition or renovation for your property, it is imperative to make sure that you are complying with local zoning and permitting laws before starting your build regardless of whether you are planning to add an outdoor deck or patio or an interior project like a bathroom remodel.

If the city or county where you reside gets wind of your construction project and you do not have the appropriate permits in place, your project will be stopped mid-construction, and you could be looking at some costly fines and a whole lot of inconvenience. This is why you need to make sure that you cross all your t’s and dot all your i’s when tackling any kind of project that involves construction on your property. You never know who might report you to the city and who might come knocking on your door.

Construction Permits in Fairfax County, Virginia

If you do not have permits in place for your home construction project, code-compliance from the county is the agency that you will have to answer to. Failure to obtain permits can haunt you years down the road when you go to list your home for sale on the market—something that could cost you a pretty penny in closing costs.

The county also has the power to deny your permit based on previously unpermitted work on a property. For example, did you know that an unpermitted job that a previous owner did can be dinged by the county when you, as a new property owner, apply for a permit for a new construction project years down the road? There are many reasons to go by the book when it comes to city and county zoning and permit requirements.

Knowledge is Power: What to Know About Fairfax County Permits

If you are looking into construction permits in Fairfax County, Virginia, you will want to make sure you have a basic understanding of the ins and outs when it comes to what does and does not require a permit by the county. The types of jobs that require a building permit in Fairfax County might surprise you. For instance, if you are replacing home appliances like your stove or water heater or repairing electrical fixtures such as outlets and panels, these things require a permit.

Everything from fireplaces to HVC upgrades to outdoor, in-ground swimming pools to new additions like barns and kitchen and bathroom renovations also need a permit from the county. The best thing to do is to reach out to county officials to see whether you need a permit or zoning approval. Certain builds do not require a permit. For example, you do not need a permit for a barrier fence unless it is a fence surrounding a pool.

What About Deck Permits in Fairfax County?

It is always a smart move to contact your local building and zoning office with any questions you might have about deck construction. While deck permit requirements in Fairfax County are not that nuanced, most decking projects do require a permit in Fairfax County. If you are building a ground-level deck under 18 inches in height, this is an exception because the county considers this a low-risk deck build. Why do taller decks need to be permitted? Well, for starters, decks are load-bearing structures, so they need to be built to safety code. There are also more safety concerns surrounding decks that are raised more than 18 inches. These decks require a railing around them to help protect people against taking an unexpected fall.

Battlefield Decks has put together a video for homeowners who may have questions about decks and other general home construction projects. If you are interested in building a deck in Fairfax County, fill out our contact form with any questions you may have and request a free estimate!