Virginia, Montgomery County Plumbing Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas

Montgomery County, Virginia Plumbing Permit Requirements

In Montgomery County, Virginia, plumbing permits are generally required for any new, replaced, or altered water, sewer, or venting systems. These permits must be obtained before construction begins. Plumbing plans are required as part of the application process. All plumbing work must comply with either the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) or the International Plumbing Code.

The county's Building Inspections Office enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. This office handles plan review, permit issuance, and inspections during the construction phase.

Unincorporated Areas

Building inspectors in Montgomery County inspect all construction in the unincorporated areas of the county. For construction in these areas, building and trade permits (including plumbing) must be applied for separately. A responsible person, such as a licensed contractor, tradesman, or the homeowner, must apply for these permits.

The process for obtaining permits in unincorporated areas typically involves:

Obtaining a Zoning Verification Letter from the Planning/GIS department.
Submitting one set of plans and a complete application packet to the Department of Inspections.
A review period of 7-10 business days, which may be longer if additional information is needed.
Approval from the Zoning, Erosion & Sediment, and Building Departments before a building permit can be issued.
Construction can begin only after the building permit is issued and posted on-site.

For septic systems, contact the Health Department at (540) 585-3300 for required inspections before covering the system. If you are on public water and sewer systems, contact the Montgomery County Public Service Authority (PSA) at (540) 382-1997 to obtain an operations permit, which is required before a final inspection can be scheduled.

It's important to note that while Montgomery County, Maryland, has a different permitting process where the WSSC issues plumbing permits, Montgomery County, Virginia, follows the state's building code and local enforcement.

Resources to Learn More

Note: The following state-wide building codes and regulations apply universally to all jurisdictions within Virginia, including Montgomery County.

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

Select a City in Montgomery County

If your project is located within incorporated city limits, you will likely need to follow municipal ordinances rather than county rules. Select your city below to view local regulations.

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