Permitting for Arlington Remodels Causes Homeowner Headaches

Want to fix up an older Arlington home? It may be easier said than done. Here's why.

After your BZA hearing:

>> Applicants receive project approval or denial letters within two weeks.

>> If your use permit is approved, you must obtain a building permit from the county before you can move forward with your project. Include with the building permit application a copy of the staff report recommending approval—or the approval letter itself.

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>> Once you get a building permit, your project must be completed and approved by an inspector within six months. If you take longer than a year to obtain a building permit, the process starts over.

>> Note that projects that include the construction of walls require county staff to perform a wall-check survey once the foundation walls are poured and before any wall framing is constructed. At this point, homeowners must submit their wall-check plat to the zoning division staff.

>> Once the project is completed, the homeowner (or their contractor) must bring a new plat to the county zoning office that proves the work complies with BZA-approved setbacks and conditions. All plats must be certified by a licensed engineer or surveyor and must be to scale.

>> Homeowners whose applications are denied (and neighbors who object to approvals) may appeal BZA decisions to the Arlington County Circuit Court.

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For more information:

Arlington Department of Community Planning, Housing, and Development

Zoning Administration

commissions.arlingtonva.us/bza

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703-228-3883

contactzoning@arlingtonva.us

Permitting Office & Inspection Services

building.arlingtonva.us

703-228-3800

buildingpermits@arlingtonva.us

Emily Schwartz Greco’s Arlington home was built in 1947. She has never sought a use permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals.

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