Building Permits: A Homeowner’s Planning Guide for the DMV
Start with the property address
Permit requirements depend on where the property is located and what you plan to change. A mailing address alone may not identify every authority involved. Confirm the county, city or district responsible for the property before using a permit checklist or estimating review time.
For a new home in Montgomery County
Montgomery County’s Department of Permitting Services provides a dedicated new-home application guide. Its process includes building plans and may involve separate site, right-of-way and trade requirements. The county also notes that private covenants and homeowners’ association requirements are separate from its permit review. Use the official guide to identify the applications that apply to your property.
For a project in Fairfax County
Fairfax County’s new residential building permit guide explains the BLDR application and links to related requirements. New-home projects may also need site or land-disturbance review. Start with the county’s description of your project type and confirm related applications before assuming a building permit is the only approval needed.
For Washington, DC or another jurisdiction
Use the permitting authority responsible for the actual project location. Do not assume that a permit exemption, drawing requirement or approval sequence from a neighboring county applies. Ask which building, zoning, site and trade reviews your scope requires, and whether other agencies must approve it.
Questions to settle before construction
Who will prepare and submit the plans? Who will respond to review comments? Which fees and specialist services are included in the estimate? Which inspections must happen before work is concealed? What approval is required before occupancy? Record these responsibilities in the project plan.
Build review time into the plan
There is no single permit timeline that fits every home. Incomplete submissions, design revisions and coordination between authorities can change the sequence. Treat an anticipated review date as a planning assumption until the responsible authority confirms the actual status.
Official starting points
Check the current requirements with your local authority before starting work. For help organizing the construction scope, explore our pre-construction planning service.