Plan Review Services Division

Building plan reviews are required for all* new or existing renovated and altered commercial and residential buildings within the City of Alexandria. Code Administration’s Plan Review Unit is comprised of Structural, Architectural, Mechanical, Plumbing & Electrical disciplines.

* Building construction exempt from permits, please refer to the Virginia Construction Code, Section 108.1 and .2.

Have questions or concerns regarding a plan review? Below is the contact list for plan review team:

Commercial bldg. new/alterations: debra.schroeder@alexandriava.gov

bill.ertumen@alexandriava.gov

lei.fei@alexandriava.gov

Mechanical and plumbing reviews: million.fiseha@alexandriava.gov

Electrical systems review: yafeng.cao@alexandriava.gov

Fire protection systems reviews: a drian.mirt@alexandriava.gov

Plan Review Division Chief: a drian.mirt@alexandriava.gov

If you would like to setup a code consultation meeting for a commercial project, please fill out the code consultation request form and email it to adrian.mirt@alexandriava.gov.

Note: The Plan Review process starts after construction documents and permit application is uploaded in APEX and review entries are created by a permit technician. If you need assistance with documents uploads and reviews schedules please see the info presented on the Permit Center page.

Plan Review Programs

Intake Plan Review (One & Two Family Residential and Commercial Projects, including Multi-family dwellings)

Example Projects:

Demolition (Entire Structure)
New Building Construction
Additions
Existing Building Alterations & Renovations
Change of Occupancy
Retaining Walls, Pools, Spa, Whirlpools, etc.

Team Plan Review

A scheduled one-hour, full-service building permit review session which includes Code Administration (Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical and Architectural), Planning & Zoning and Transportation & Environmental Services. A Project Designer is required to attend. One of four, one-hour Tuesday or Wednesday mornings time slots (8:30AM, 9:30AM, 10:30AM & 11:30AM) and Tuesday afternoon time slots (1:30pm & 2:30pm) are available and must be scheduled in advance by calling 703.746.4200.

Eligible Projects:

Business (B) occupancy less than 20,000 ft²
Mercantile (M) occupancy less than 7,500 ft²
Storage (S) occupancies less than 15,000 ft²
Factory (F1 or F2) occupancies less than 15,000 ft²
Note: Projects which include exterior or structural alterations are ineligible

Walk-Thru Plan Review

Projects minor in scope-of-work or complexity which will allow for a full plan review within a 20-minute time period (Code Administration time frame only, other departments have different limitations).

Example Projects:

Residential Kitchen & Bathroom Alterations/Renovations (R2, R3, and R5)
Finishing a Basement - 1 & 2 Family Dwellings
Roof & Siding Replacements/Repairs (Residential and Commercial)
Decks, Porches, Stoops, etc. - Construction/Renovations/Alteration
Signs
Trailers – Construction & Sales
Residential Photovoltaic Systems

Permit & Plan Submission Requirements

Note: This a general list of Code Administration requirements, each project’s scope-of-work may require additional information

General

The following is a general list of Code Administration (CA) requirements, each project’s scope-of-work may require additional information. Minor projects may only require a permit application if no plans and additional agency reviews are not required.

Approved permit(s) and plans must be issued prior to commencing work
Submission Documentation Required for Plan Review
Permit Application
Complete a Commercial Project Data Form
Provide Contractor’s information (as applicable - state license number, City of Alexandria business license number and contact information).
If a contractor is not responsible for the job, an owner may perform work or act as their own general Contractor on their own property. With these applications, provide a notarized Owner’s Written Statement .
Provide construction documents (plans and reports) in PDF format for review and approval.
- Soils reports (all new or altered commercial buildings subject to the International Building Code requirements when foundations are involved) and any other documents supporting the plan design
  - Residential 1 & 2 Family Dwellings - Refer to the Code Administration Soils Policy
Residential permits subject to the requirements of the Virginia Residential Code (1 &2 Family Dwellings) shall provide complete architectural and MEP drawings.
Plans must be signed and sealed by a registered design professional (RDP) licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia (1 original plan set) if they are responsible for the construction documents (regardless of if Virginia law requires the plans to be prepared by an RDP) or if it is required by the Code of Virginia Section 54.1-400 administered by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Plans not prepared by an RDP, and not required to be by the Code of Virginia, shall contain:
- The name of the person who prepared the plans
- Occupation
- Contact information
Released Site or Grading Plan indicating building(s) existing and/or proposed within scope-of-work
35% Deposit is required for plan review – based on estimated permit fee (Refer to 2017 New Fee Schedule). The deposit is non-refundable and is deducted from the total permit fee when the permit is issued.

INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IF WITHIN SCOPE-OF-WORK…

Commercial and Multi-family Residential Dwellings (3 or more dwelling units)

All projects covered by the Virginia Construction Code and Virginia Existing Building Code
Plan Review Time Frame - 20 Business Days
Plans may be routed to Health Department (HD) for review and approval if the project involves food service, food preparation, hotels or motels, swimming pools or other Health Department regulated activity. Please note: The Health Department requires a completed application and payment of fees before reviewing and approving construction documents. Permit applicants are advised to take plans, required applications, and fees directly to the Alexandria Health Department (703-746-4996), located at 4480 King Street to expedite their review.

Architectural (Building)

Comprehensive code analysis to include:
- Commercial Project Data Form
- Method of compliance for new buildings in accordance with the Virginia Construction Code or charge of use, alteration or renovation in accordance with Virginia Existing Building Code
Means-of-egress plan
Room/space designations & dimensions
Horizontal & vertical fire-resistance-rated assemblies and penetrations details
Stair, guard and handrail details
Building energy envelope load calculations
Architectural Schedule(s), General Notes & Specification
Documentation of compliance with the Virginia Energy Conservation Code
Accessibility
- Alteration Cost of Accessibility Certificate Form
- Multi-family dwelling unit accessible schedule (type A & B dwelling units)
- Vehicle accessible parking schedule
- Accessible route plans, details, sections and notes (restrooms, ramps, stairs, door hardware, signs, etc.)

Plumbing

Virginia Plumbing Code

Completed plumbing application
Plumbing fixture layout, signed and sealed by licensed design professional in the Commonwealth of Virginia (1 original plan set)
Plumbing sanitary, vent & water riser diagram
Plumbing Schedule, General Notes & Specification
Gas riser diagram (including all gas appliances’ BTUs, pipe sizes and lengths
Gas Schedule, General Notes & Specification

Mechanical

Virginia Mechanical Code

Gas equipment and piping designed to meet the Virginia Fuel Gas Code
Completed mechanical application
Mechanical HVAC layout, signed and sealed by licensed design professional in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Mechanical condensate riser diagram
Mechanical Schedule, General Notes & Specification
Outside/fresh-air calculations
Shop drawings, kitchen hood & exhaust system, etc.

Electrical

National Electrical Code 2017

Design to meet the National Electrical Code
Completed electrical application
Electrical layout plans, signed and sealed by licensed design professional in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Single-line electrical diagram
Electrical Schedule, General Notes & Specification
Electrical load calculations

Structural (Building)

Design loads
Soils report, signed and sealed by licensed design professional in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Structural calculations, signed and sealed by licensed design professional in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Manufacturer’s specification information for all fabricated structural members
Structural General Notes

Fire Protection Systems

FPS Permit Submittal

Residential, One & Two Family Dwellings - Townhomes, Detached Homes and Duplexes (3 stories or less with separate means of egress)

Projects subject to the Virginia Residential Code for building and all trade design
Plan Review Time Frame - 10 Business Days unless the project qualifies for walk through service in the Permit Center