Our Community in Fairfax County, Virginia

To help homeowners who wish to build decks, sheds, or other routine improvements, the County's Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) has simplified the building permit process.  DPWES Building Plan Review staff developed a series of handouts that contain plan details and related tables for typical homeowner construction projects such as decks, sheds, finished basements, detached garages, retaining walls, and carport enclosures.  These handouts can be used in lieu of a formal plan submission to minimize the level of plan review when applying for a building permit.

Copies of the handouts may be obtained from DPWES's Permit Application Center (703-222-0801) or downloaded from the County's Website.  If the work that the permit applicant is planning fits within the parameters of the handout, then a permit is issued with the designation per County detail.  In some cases, applicants will use the information in the handouts simply to assist them in their own designs.  These documents contain correct sizes of structural members, connection details, and general code-compliant design elements, as well as providing information on County review procedures and pertinent telephone numbers.

Critical Requirements. Homeowners should note that deviations from the handout designs, even those changes that may appear to be merely aesthetic in nature, will require formal plan submission and review approval.  In some cases, a field modification to improvements may be required to bring the redesigned element into conformance with the building code.

Also, special circumstances (such as non-standard materials, unusual angles, etc.) not detailed in the handouts must be submitted by the customer for County review and approval prior to commencing work on the project.