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Residential Additions and Alterations
Residential additions add square footage to the residential structure, not including condominiums. Screened porches are considered residential additions.
Residential alterations change the use of existing square footage, not including condominiums.
Required Permits
- A building and zoning permit application (PDF), signed by the property owner. Complete the entire form including:
- Square feet of area being disturbed (required)
- If your property is located in an incorporated town within Loudoun County, submit an approved zoning permit from the town with your application.
Additional Documentation
In addition to the permit application, you are required to submit:
- Plat of property (required for additions only) showing:
- House and location of addition
- Distances from addition to sides and rear of property
- If you need to know your setbacks for the pool: email Building and Development, call 703-777-0220, option #2, or submit a setback request on Loudoun Express Request.
- View a sample plat of property (PDF).
- Learn more about how to get a copy of a plat or survey. If you're unable to locate a copy of the plat or survey of your property showing the house, we will accept a base map of your property (including the house) as shown in WebLogis.
- Building plans: all structural elements must be completely detailed and included on a comprehensive set of plans.
- Residential trade permits (electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing)
- Health department approval will also be required if a bedroom is being added for a dwelling served by well and septic.
Learn who should apply for permits.
Submit an application
- Submit the completed permit application and required documentation in one of the following ways:
- Online: Upload and submit your completed application form and required documentation here
- In person (paper submission): Building and Development
Loudoun County Government Center
1 Harrison Street, SE.
Leesburg, Virginia 20175
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.- Paper submissions require three sets of building plans and the house location plat for additions.
Environmentally Sensitive Areas on Lot
Lots with environmentally sensitive areas may take longer to review and may require additional information from the applicant.
Easements
If county easements are present on the lot, no construction shall encroach into the ground or air space of the easement.
If there is a stormwater easement on your property, please email the Stormwater Team before applying for permits.
Health Department Approval
If your lot is served by well and septic, contact the Health Department to obtain approval before applying for permits.
Conservation Easements
Some parcels have conservation easements that may limit what is permitted on a property. To search properties with permanent conservation easements, view this map (please note date of data currency). If you have questions about your Board of Supervisors (BOS) held easement, please email or call Office of Mapping & Geographic Information at 703-771-5778. Questions about easements held by other organizations should be directed to the holder of the easement.
To request copies of conservation easements and other legally recorded property documents, please email or call the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 703-737-8775 with the PIN and tax map #. Copies are $0.50/page, payment may be made over the phone by credit card and copies emailed. We recommend that landowners and prospective buyers review the terms of an easement with a land use and zoning attorney.
Requirements for Public Utilities
Call "Miss Utility" at 800-552-7001 before excavating to ensure that the construction does not interfere with underground utility lines."Miss Utility" is a free service to anyone who is planning to excavate. Utility companies support "Miss Utility" to prevent damage to their buried lines. Call at least 48 hours prior to excavating. The various companies will mark the path of underground utilities on your property.
Fees
Addition
* break out by town/not town
- Less than 1,000 square feet: $300
- Greater than 1,000 square feet: $165 +$35 + fee based square footage.
Alteration
- Fee based on 1% of construction cost
All fees are calculated based on the details of the application submitted. Separate fees will be charged for trade permits (plumbing, gas, electrical, mechanical).
Paying for a Permit
You must pay for your permits before they are issued.
Inspection Requirements
Inspections are required by law to establish that the construction has been built in accordance with the structural and safety provisions of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC) standard construction practices and the approved drawings.
The number of inspections required varies depending on whether electrical, mechanical, plumbing or gas installations are made.
An electronic or paper copy of the approved plans or must be on the job site and available to the inspector or no inspection will be performed.
The following inspections are required:
- Building:
- Additions: Footing, Foundation, Framing, Insulation and Final
- Alterations: Framing and Final
- Trade Permits at boththe rough-in and final stages:
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Mechanical
- Gas
Schedule Inspections
The permit holder or their representative must schedule an inspection when the stages of construction that require an inspection are reached. Inspections must be scheduled one work day in advance.
Questions
Call Building and Development at 703-777-0220, option 1.