Deck permit guide for Loudoun County, Virginia

A building permit and zoning permit is required for all decks.

## Required Permits * A building permit and zoning permit is required for all decks. * If your property is located in an [incorporated town](https://www.loudoun.gov/towns) 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 (or house location survey) showing: * House and deck location attached to house * Distances from deck to sides and rear of property * If you need to know your setbacks for the deck: [email Building and Development](mailto:bad@loudoun.gov), call 703-777-0220, option #2, or [submit a setback request](http://iframe.publicstuff.com/#/?client_id=1295&request_type_id=28301) on Loudoun Express Request. * [View a sample plat of property (PDF)](https://www.loudoun.gov/DocumentCenter/View/161449/Sample-Plat-of-Property). * Use the [locational clearance mapper](http://loudoun.gov/lcrmap) to create a plat of property, including the structure and setback measurements. * Deck plans or [Loudoun County Typical Deck Detail (PDF)](https://www.loudoun.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DID=878 "Loudoun County Typical Deck Detail") * Learn more under **Required Plans.** * Electrical permit(PDF) may also be required stairway illumination, hot tubs, or spas * [Statement of Owner/Lessee (PDF)](https://www.loudoun.gov/DocumentCenter/View/143572/Statement-of-OwnerLesee-PDF) if the permits are issued in the property owner’s name.

## **Fees** **County Typical Deck** * Not located in an incorporated town: * Less than 1,000 square feet: $265 (building permit and county zoning permit) * 1,000 square feet or above: $165 (county zoning permit) + fee based on exact square footage. * In an [incorporated town](https://www.loudoun.gov/towns): * Less than 1,000 square feet: $100 (building permit only) * 1,000 square feet or above: fee based on exact square footage. **Decks built to plan specifications** * Not located in an incorporated town: * Less than 1,000 square feet: $395 (Includes building permit, plan review fee, and county zoning permit) * 1,000 square feet or above: $335 (Includes county zoning permit and plan review fee) + fee based on exact square footage. * In an [incorporated town](https://www.loudoun.gov/towns): * Less than 1,000 square feet: $230 (Includes county building permit and plan review fee) * 1,000 square feet or above: $170 (plan review fee) + fee based on exact square footage. All fees are calculated based on the details of the application submitted. If other permits are required, separate fees will be charged based on actual equipment installed on the deck. Examples of equipment requiring additional permits include, but are not limited to, electrical outlets or fixtures, hot tubs, spas, etc.

## **Fees** **County Typical Deck** * Not located in an incorporated town: * Less than 1,000 square feet: $265 (building permit and county zoning permit) * 1,000 square feet or above: $165 (county zoning permit) + fee based on exact square footage. * In an [incorporated town](https://www.loudoun.gov/towns): * Less than 1,000 square feet: $100 (building permit only) * 1,000 square feet or above: fee based on exact square footage. **Decks built to plan specifications** * Not located in an incorporated town: * Less than 1,000 square feet: $395 (Includes building permit, plan review fee, and county zoning permit) * 1,000 square feet or above: $335 (Includes county zoning permit and plan review fee) + fee based on exact square footage. * In an [incorporated town](https://www.loudoun.gov/towns): * Less than 1,000 square feet: $230 (Includes county building permit and plan review fee) * 1,000 square feet or above: $170 (plan review fee) + fee based on exact square footage. All fees are calculated based on the details of the application submitted. If other permits are required, separate fees will be charged based on actual equipment installed on the deck. Examples of equipment requiring additional permits include, but are not limited to, electrical outlets or fixtures, hot tubs, spas, etc.

## Required Permits * A building permit and zoning permit is required for all decks. * If your property is located in an [incorporated town](https://www.loudoun.gov/towns) 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 (or house location survey) showing: * House and deck location attached to house * Distances from deck to sides and rear of property * If you need to know your setbacks for the deck: [email Building and Development](mailto:bad@loudoun.gov), call 703-777-0220, option #2, or [submit a setback request](http://iframe.publicstuff.com/#/?client_id=1295&request_type_id=28301) on Loudoun Express Request. * [View a sample plat of property (PDF)](https://www.loudoun.gov/DocumentCenter/View/161449/Sample-Plat-of-Property). * Use the [locational clearance mapper](http://loudoun.gov/lcrmap) to create a plat of property, including the structure and setback measurements. * Deck plans or [Loudoun County Typical Deck Detail (PDF)](https://www.loudoun.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DID=878 "Loudoun County Typical Deck Detail") * Learn more under **Required Plans.** * Electrical permit(PDF) may also be required stairway illumination, hot tubs, or spas * [Statement of Owner/Lessee (PDF)](https://www.loudoun.gov/DocumentCenter/View/143572/Statement-of-OwnerLesee-PDF) if the permits are issued in the property owner’s name. [Learn who should apply for permits.](https://www.loudoun.gov/FAQ.aspx?QID=1464) ## How to Apply * Submit a permit application, a plat of your property, and deck drawings in one of the following ways: * **Online in**[**LandMARC**](https://www.loudoun.gov/landmarc)- (Account required) * **In person**: 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. * Please bring a set of plans or the Typical Deck Detail packet and the house location plat with the deck sketched on it. 1. [Required Plans](https://www.loudoun.gov/1166/Decks#tab148a3c30-62c0-4440-935d-4c715149d7ec_1) ## Plans Required There are two options for achieving building plan approval: using the Loudoun County Typical Deck Detail or submitting a complete set of plans. ### Loudoun County Typical Deck Detail The [Loudoun County Typical Deck Detail (PDF)](https://www.loudoun.gov/DocumentCenter/View/878/Typical-Residential-Deck-Detail) may be used in lieu of deck plans for review with the building permit application. The permit application must reflect the intended use of the Loudoun County Typical Deck Detail. Decks which do not meet the following minimum conditions may not use the typical details in lieu of plans. * Decks must be for residential use. * Decks must be single level. * Joist overhangs must be less than or equal to 2 feet 0 inches * All deck elements must be designed and built in strict conformance with the Loudoun County Typical Deck Detail and to the dimensions noted on the permit application shown on the house location plat. * Decks may not be constructed with roofs, screened porches, hot tubs, gazebos, or detached from house. Field inspectors have the authority and responsibility to reject the construction and require plan review of structural conditions found on site which are not in conformance with the code, are not addressed by the Loudoun County Typical Deck Detail, or do not meet all of these conditions. ### Complete Set of Plans For decks that do not meet the requirements of the Typical Deck Detail, a complete set of plans must be submitted. All structural elements of the deck must be completely detailed and included on a comprehensive set of plans. Three sets of plans are required for all submissions. The following information must be included: * Size of all posts, joists, and beams, shown on a framing plan. * Handrail and guardrail details (including, if applicable, chippendale rail, sun bursts, and pre-manufactured rail systems). * Stair details. * Elevations, front, side and rear with attachment details (such as attachment to house, joist to beam connections, rail to post connection, etc.). * Footing details (minimum footing depth is 24 inches, footings shall bear on solid soil). * Hot tub manufacturer’s information showing structural loading requirements (if applicable).

## How to Apply * Submit a permit application, a plat of your property, and deck drawings in one of the following ways: * **Online in**[**LandMARC**](https://www.loudoun.gov/landmarc)- (Account required) * **In person**: 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. * Please bring a set of plans or the Typical Deck Detail packet and the house location plat with the deck sketched on it.

## Inspection Requirements Inspections are required by law. Inspections help to establish that the deck has been built in accordance with the structural and safety provisions of the [Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC)](https://codes.iccsafe.org/category/Virginia?year%5b%5d=Current+Adoption&page=1) standard construction practices and the approved drawings or the [Loudoun County Typical Deck Detail (PDF)](https://www.loudoun.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DID=878 "Loudoun County Typical Deck Detail"). An electronic of paper copy of the approved plans or typical deck detail must be on the job site and available to the inspector or no inspection will be performed. ### When Inspections are Required Three inspections, conducted by Loudoun County inspectors, are required for a deck: * Footing Inspection: footing holes are inspected prior to concrete placement. * Framing Inspection: joists, beams, connections and mechanical attachments are inspected prior to placement of decking. * Final Inspection: all remaining items are inspected. The framing and final inspections may be combined if all portions of the deck framing and mechanical attachments are at least 42 inches above grade. ## 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. * [Schedule an inspection in LandMARC.](https://www.loudoun.gov/landmarc)

G. Section 110.6 Abandonment of work. A building official shall be permitted to revoke a permit if work on the site authorized by the permit is not commenced within six months after issuance of the permit or if the authorized work on the site is suspended or abandoned for a period of six months after the permit is issued; however, permits issued for plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work shall not be revoked if the building permit is still in effect. It shall be the responsibility of the permit applicant to prove to the building official that authorized work includes substantive progress, characterized by approved inspections as specified in Section 113.3 of at least one inspection within a period of six months or other evidence that would indicate substantial work has been performed. Upon written request, the building official may grant one or more extensions of time, not to exceed one year per extension.

Any contractor who undertakes a project, the total value of which is $150,000 or more, is required to have a valid Class A license issued by the Board for Contractors. Any contractor who undertakes a project, the total value of which is $30,000 or more, but less than $150,000, must have a valid Class B license. Any contractor who undertakes a project, the total value of which is more than $1,000 but less than $30,000, is required to have a valid Class C license.