Due to construction, the permit center will be closed for in-person services Wednesday, May 21 and Thursday, May 22. All team members will be available virtually. You may call 703-746-4200 or email permit.center@alexandriava.gov should you need assistance. Thank you for your patience.
Permit Center Operations
- Open to the public for in-person service Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
- The City of Alexandria Permit Center is now located on the 2nd floor of the Redella S. “Dell” Pepper Community Center at 4850 Mark Center Drive.
- Currently, we are asking for customers to only submit applications electronically through APEX.
- The Alexandria Permitting and Land Use System (APEX) is available 24 hours a day from your computer or mobile device.
- Customer assistance is still available by email Permit.Center@alexandriava.gov or by calling 703.746.4200. A support team able to respond to inquiries within 24 hours or one business day.
Permit Center Hours of Operation
- Open regularly Monday - Friday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. (except City Holidays)
- Closes at 2 p.m. on the first Monday of every month.
- Closes for lunch at 12 p.m. and reopens at 1 p.m.
- Door locks at 4:30 p.m. daily.
- 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.
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 are operating normally, 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.
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.
Permit Requirements
Find out whether a permit is required, what type of permit is needed, and what requirements are necessary for a building permit.
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.
Permit Application Fees
Determine what it will cost to submit a permit application, and what forms of payment are accepted.
- Small Business & Residential Project Facilitation Office
- Hours of Operation:
- Walk-thru Plan Review Services and Consultations, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. (except holidays).
- All Other Services, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (except holidays).
- Check the status of a permit (application and inspections) - Please have either the project address or permit number available to view a permit plan review status or an issued permit's inspection history.
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Fire Protection Systems Permit & Plan Submission Requirements
Residential new/alterations reviews: michael.mcphail@alexandriava.gov
henry.hollander@alexandriava.gov
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.
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.
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.