About the Department
Welcome to the Alexandria Department of Code Administration, where we work in concert with other City agencies and our customers (residents, tenants, business owners, building owners, architects, engineers, builders, tradesmen, contractors, and developers) as part of the safe building team. Our objective is to assist customers with compliance related to Virginia's Uniform Statewide Building and Maintenance Codes (USBC), and the City Code nuisance and development provisions. This is accomplished through permit processing, plan review; timely and consistent inspections, and education regarding the requirements of the referenced codes. The department contains the five divisions of Permit Center, Property Maintenance Inspections, New Construction Inspections, Plan Review Services, and Administrative Services.
2018 Building Safety Month
Building Safety Month (BSM) is a public awareness campaign celebrated by jurisdictions worldwide during the month of May for the past 38 years to help individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create safe and sustainable structures. The campaign reinforces the need for the adoption of modern, regularly-updated building codes, a strong and efficient system of code enforcement and a well-trained, professional workforce to maintain the system. Click on the link to learn more about the Building Safety Month Campaign.
June 1, 2017 Permit Center Fee Schedule Changes
Code Administration Summary of Fee Changes Effective June 1, 2017
Public Notification Memo regarding Fee Changes June 1, 2017
Alexandria Code Administration Guiding Principles
Guiding Principles
2017 Code Connection Newsletter
The Code Administration's seasonal newsletter provides information and insight about our staff and their day to day activities.
When checking for daily inspection information, please check the Daily Inspection Viewer Website by 8:00 a.m. the day of the inspection as the information is updated up until this time
The 2012 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) is effective July 14, 2014. Additional information can be found at:
2012 Virginia Uniform Statewide Construction Code (VA USBC)
Standing Modification - Minimum Thickness of Galvanized Duct Walls for Single Family Dwellings
Important Information on the 2012 VRC Girder and Header Span Tables
Same Day Service Ends at 4:15pm. Please be sure to have all plans and applications submitted prior to 4:15pm Monday through Friday for same day services.
Scheduling and Obtaining Inspection Results
The Department of Code Administration offers an automated system known as "ACCESS". "ACCESS" allows permit holders to use a touch tone phone to schedule or cancel inspections, request inspection results, speak to a Permit Technician or other city agencies or listen to recorded customer service messages. "ACCESS" is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day. To use the system, call 703.746.4200 or 703.746-4560 (direct). Note - to use ACCESS, you will need a touch-tone phone. If ACCESS is unavailable, please call 703.746.4200 for assistance during business hours.
Gas Permit Policy for Residential Additions & Alterations
Code Administration conducted a survey of the surrounding jurisdictions’ plan review requirements for residential fuel gas permits. The results found that a majority of localities did not require a fuel gas riser diagram prior to permit issuance for residential gas pressures less than 2 psi. Therefore, to stay consistent across local boundaries, the City of Alexandria will no longer require 1 & 2 family dwelling building (single family, townhomes and duplexes) applicants to submit a residential gas riser diagram for additions and alterations to an existing residential fuel gas system with gas pressure less than 2 psi.
- Please note - a residential gas riser diagram is still required for new residential homes and accessory structures. Furthermore, there is no change in the plan review requirements for commercial fuel gas permits – a fuel gas riser diagram is required.
NOTICE: Code Administration’s fire protection systems (FPS) walk-thru services are now available on a scheduled basis. Please contact Paul Mitchell - mail to: paul.mitchell@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4194 - to schedule an appointment.
Tell us how we are doing! As we make improvements to assist our customers with the permitting process, your feedback is important to us. Please fill out our Customer Service Survey and let us know what we can do to improve the permitting experience.
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