Arlington, Virginia Plumbing Local Permit Ordinances and Codes
Arlington, Virginia Plumbing Permit Ordinances
In Arlington, Virginia, a plumbing or gas permit is required for any work that involves adding, removing, or relocating fixtures, appliances, or piping. Replacing fixtures or elements on gas-fueled equipment also necessitates a permit and inspections. However, for equipment not fueled by gas, replacing fixtures, appliances, or piping of the same type, size, and location does not require a permit. Specific exemptions can be found in ยง108.2 of the Building Code. If you are uncertain whether a permit is needed, you can contact the Inspection Services Division at 703-228-3800 or via email.
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
The authority responsible for issuing plumbing permits in Arlington, Virginia, is the Inspection Services Division. Applications are submitted online through the "Permit Arlington" customer portal.
Local Zoning and Fee Nuances
Arlington County's fee structure for permits is divided among three main categories: Inspection Services Division (ISD) fees, Zoning Division fees, and Department of Environmental Services (DES) fees. Some permits may incur fees from multiple schedules.
- Permit Application: Applications for plumbing or gas permits must be submitted online via Permit Arlington.
- Plans Submission: For new buildings, plans must be submitted and approved before permits are issued. If a building permit already exists for a project, plans may not need to be resubmitted with the plumbing or gas permit application.
- Fixture Count: Depending on the project's scope, a fixture count may be required, and the Department of Environmental Services (DES) may review this to validate drainage fixture units.
- Contractor Licensing: Plumbing and gas permits are generally issued only to licensed master plumbers or master mechanical workers. However, an exception is made for homeowners or their agents performing work in a single-family dwelling or townhouse used exclusively for residential purposes, provided they comply with all code requirements.
- Payment: All permit fees must be paid online through the Permit Arlington customer portal. Accepted payment methods include eCheck, credit card, debit card, PayPal, PayPal Credit, Venmo, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.
Resources to Learn More
Because Arlington is located within Arlington County, the following broader county regulations may also apply to your project:
Virginia, Arlington County Plumbing Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas
Arlington County Plumbing Permit Requirements
In Arlington County, Virginia, a plumbing/gas permit is required for any work that involves adding, removing, or relocating fixtures, appliances, or piping. This includes replacing fixtures or other elements on gas-fueled equipment. However, if you are replacing fixtures, appliances, or piping of the same type, size, and location on equipment not fueled by gas, a permit is generally not required. Exemptions can be found in Section 108.2 of the Building Code. If you are uncertain whether a permit is needed for your specific project, it is recommended to contact the Inspection Services Division at 703-228-3800 or via email.
Permit applications must be submitted online through Permit Arlington. Some projects may require a building permit and approved plans before a plumbing/gas permit can be issued, while others require plans to be submitted with the plumbing/gas permit application. It's important to determine if your project is considered residential or commercial, as some residential properties may require a commercial permit based on the Building Code. Applications involving backflow devices necessitate a final cross-connection inspection before the plumbing permit can be finalized.
Licensed contractors are typically required to pull permits in Arlington County. For plumbing work, a Virginia Master Plumber License is mandatory. Additionally, contractors must hold an Arlington County Business License to legally pull permits.
Unincorporated Areas
The provided information pertains to Arlington County's general plumbing permit requirements. There is no specific distinction or separate set of rules mentioned for properties located in unincorporated areas of Arlington County within the search results. The regulations appear to apply county-wide.
Resources to Learn More
The following statewide building codes and regulations apply universally to all jurisdictions within Virginia:
Virginia Plumbing Legislation, Codes, and Guidelines
State-Level Plumbing Codes in Virginia
Plumbing systems in Virginia are governed by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). The technical requirements for plumbing are established through the adoption of the 2021 Virginia Plumbing Code, which is based on the 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) published by the International Code Council (ICC). This code is integrated into the USBC with specific state-level amendments tailored to Virginia's requirements for design, installation, maintenance, and inspection.
Primary State Agencies and Boards
The administration and development of building codes in Virginia are managed by the following entities:
- Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development (BHCD): This Governor-appointed board is responsible for the promulgation and adoption of the USBC. They update the building codes on a three-year cycle, incorporating nationally recognized model codes through a regulatory process.
- Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD): This state agency administers the USBC and provides the regulatory framework for the development and adoption of these statewide standards.
- State Building Code Technical Review Board (SBCTRB): This board consists of citizens appointed by the Governor to ensure the building code is administered fairly and to resolve disputes between enforcing agencies and aggrieved parties.
While the state sets the standards, the enforcement of the USBC is the responsibility of local government building inspection departments.
Resources to Learn More