Permit Center

The City's multi-department Permit Center allows residents, businesses, contractors, and visitors to obtain construction related permits at one central location. The permit center includes staff members from Code Administration, Finance, Planning & Zoning, and Transportation & Environmental Services; and also offers small business and residential facilitators to assist homeowners and small businesses through the construction permitting process.

Page updated on Jul 19, 2021 at 10:38 AM


Operational Updates Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Some services may be modified or suspended due to the pandemic.  Please see below for service impacts by division, we will continue to monitor and update this information daily.

Permit Center

  • Closed to the public for in-person service except by appointment only
  • Still processing permits and applications through APEX
  • Currently, we are asking for customers to only submit electronically
  • Customer assistance is still available by email Permit.Center@alexandriava.gov or by calling 703.746.4200

Plan Review Services

  • We are continuing to perform plan reviews as scheduled
  • Team Plan Reviews are no longer performed in-person, but are now performed fully electronically

New Construction Inspections

  • In-person residential inspections for occupied dwellings (single-family and multi-family) are suspended, however these are still being performed virtually by video call. 
  • All other inspections are still taking place as scheduled with inspectors maintaining social distancing. Inspectors are instructed to leave the area if they do not feel the area is safe. Those inspections will be rescheduled when the area is safe to enter.

Property Maintenance Inspections

  • Residential rental inspections and interior, complaint-based investigations in occupied dwellings have been suspended, however some complaint inspections can still be performed by video call
  • Proactive Exterior inspections will be performed to ensure sanitary trash disposal, timely trash service and rodent control surveys will continue
  • Staff will continue to service overgrown grass and weeds complaints over 12” on private properties, with extended compliance periods for abatement.
  • Unsafe/unfit investigations of occupied structures will continue with some interior inspection access modifications. Video and photo submissions of unsafe conditions are encouraged.

Permit Center Hours of Operation

  • Closes at 2 p.m. on the first Monday of every month.
  • Open regularly Monday - Friday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. (except City Holidays)

Same Day Service Ends at 4:15 p.m. 

Please be sure to have all plans and applications submitted prior to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday for same day services.

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APEX - Permitting & Land Use System

The new APEX Permitting & Land Use System makes it easier for customers to apply for and obtain permits and approvals electronically. APEX offers electronic application, plan submission and review for permits and land use applications; online payments; real-time status tracking for permit and land use applications; online inspection scheduling, tracking and updates; advanced search capabilities; and easy, effective communication with customers.

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Permit Requirements

Find out whether a permit is required, what type of permit is needed, and what requirements are necessary for a building permit.

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Permit Application Process

To apply for a permit, you can submit your application in person, or if you’re seeking a sign, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing permit, you can submit it online.

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Permit Application Fees

Determine what it will cost to submit a permit application, and what forms of payment are accepted.

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Check Your Permit Status Online

To check on the status of a permit application or inspection, make sure you have the project address or permit number available, and you can look up the plan review status and inspection history online.

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Inspection Schedule

You can check the Daily Inspection Viewer to learn about daily scheduled inspections and related updates. On this page there is step by step documentation of how to schedule an inspection through the new permitting and land use management system, APEX. If you are familiar with the system, click on the APEX icon below to be directed to the site. If for some reason APEX is unavailable, feel free to call the Permit Center main line at 703.746.4200 for scheduling assistance during regular business hours.

APEX Logo large image

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Permits Issued By Other City Departments

Some City permits are not issued by the Department of Code Administration. Check here to view the list of permits that are required by other departments, and download information about how to obtain them.


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