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How Do I...

...Build in Dumfries?

Start with our Zoning Permits/Applications FAQs

Printer Friendly FAQs (PDF 61k)

Q: Do I need a permit to install a fence?

A: Yes, if the fence is over (4) feet high. No fence over eight (8) feet high is permitted. You need to complete a building permit application and provide a recent survey/plat of your property with the fence drawn on it. The Town’s building permit application can be downloaded from the website.

Q: Do I need a permit for a shed?

A: Yes, if the shed is greater than 150 square feet in size you need a building permit. Regardless of the size of the shed, however, you need to provide the Zoning Administrator with information as to where the shed will be located on your property. A recent survey/plat of your property with the shed drawn to scale is required.

Q: Do I need a permit for installing a sign?

A: Yes, in most cases. A business must obtain a permit for a wall or free-standing sign. In addition, a permit for a temporary sign or banner must be obtained for signs advertising a grand opening or special sale. The Town’s building permit application has a section for signs. If the business is located in the Town’s Historic Overlay District, in addition to a sign permit, a Certificate of Appropriateness application has to be approved by the Town’s Architectural Review Board.

Q: Do I need a permit for a deck?

A: Yes. A building permit is required and the Zoning Administrator must review the application to verify that the location and size of the deck conforms to the Town’s zoning regulations.

Q: What do I need to do if I am making improvements to a building located in the Town’s Historic Overlay District?

A: If the work involves improvements to the exterior of a building in the Historic District or involves demolition or moving of an existing building or constructing a new building, a Certificate of Appropriateness application must be submitted to the Town’s Architectural Review Board for review and approval. In addition, if a commercial sign is erected on your property, a Certificate of Appropriateness application has to be submitted. The application can be downloaded from the website.

Q: Are there other zoning forms or applications that must be filed with the Town?

A: Yes, depending on the nature of what is being requested there are additional forms that can be downloaded from the website.

Note: For further information regarding when a permit is required, please contact the Zoning Administrator or the Building Official at (703) 221-3400

 

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Order in which the process works:

  1. Application for a predesign meeting is taken and a fee of $75.00 is processed

  2. Meet with the Zoning Administrator to discuss your plans for the property to see if the use is allowed in that district or what needs to be done to have the use provided for

  3. Applications for site plans are submitted to the Zoning Administrator. 12 copies are needed. A $500.00 review fee is collected at this time. Plans are then taken by Zoning and distributed to the various agencies for comments. Responses are requested from the outside agencies within 30 days

  4. Comments from outside agencies , engineer, Director of Public Works, and the Zoning Administrator are then compiled and returned to the Applicants engineer for revision.(If there are no comments then plans do not need to be resubmitted. Plans are then placed on the Planning Commission agenda)

  5. Plans are then resubmitted to Public Works and sheet revisions are then paid for at the cost of $100.00 per sheet. Plans are again reviewed to check and see if the comments from the outside agencies and the Town have been addressed, this process repeats until all issues are resolved

  6. Plans are then placed on the Planning Commission agenda

  7. You will be required to be at the Planning Commission with your engineer to answer any questions brought forward by the Commission

  8. Planning Commission will make a recommendation to staff, if all items are satisfactory, the item is placed on the next work session of the Town Council

  9. At the work session for Town Council you will be required to attend with your engineer. Town Council will discuss the site plan. Town Council will then approve the plan to be moved to the next regular meeting for a vote or move it forward for further discussion

  10. Once the plans have been approved by Council the plans are signed by all parties. Bonds will then have to be posted and a site permit may be issued

  11. NO WORK CAN BE DONE ON THE PROPERTY UNTIL A SITE PERMIT HAS BEEN ISSUED

  12. Building drawings must be submitted for review and fees must be paid at this time

  13. Building drawings will then be reviewed and commented on

  14. Once all items have been addressed on the building plans a building permit may be applied for and fees paid

  15. A building permit can then be issued

  16. Building construction then may begin and inspections will be required as listed on the inspection sheet

New Home Construction

Use this as a checklist when building a new home (PDF 8k).

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How Do I...

...Get Permit Applications and Fee Schedule

The Department of Public Works Office of Building Development applications for various permits are now available on line in PDF format.

The Application for Permits covers the following permits in one application: Site, Street, Sign, Occupancy, Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechnical, and Demolition

What is a temporary use permit?

A temporary use permit is a 30 day permit that may be issued by the Zoning Administrator for temporary activities such as charity functions and sales of seasonal or holiday goods. Please contact the Zoning Administrator to determine if your event or goods offered for sale complies with the town’s temporary use regulations.

What do you need to get a Temporary Use Permit?

You must have a filled out application (11k), Letter from property owner allowing you to have your function on their property. Along with the letter, they must also sign the application. This application has to be approved by the Zoning Administrator prior to a permit being issued. This could take up to 30 days to approve so you will need to be prepared ahead of time.

What is the fee?

There is a non refundable fee of $30.00 per application and then depending on the function you will have a $100.00 refundable bond or $250.00 refundable bond. These are 2 separate transactions so if you are writing a check, please make 2 separate checks out.

When will I get my bond back?

You must request in writing that you would like to have your bond released. Once the Zoning Administrator verify’s that the conditions of the lot was ok than the bond will be released. This could also take up to 30 days.

How do I obtain a deck permit?

  1. Fill out a deck application (9KB). Be sure that all information is filled out or application will be returned

  2. Submit drawings along with permit application. Drawings should include information for footers, lumber used, how it is being fastened to home, nail pattern, code version used. (3 sets are required)

  3. You must also submit a copy of your plat. You should draw in where the deck will be located.

  4. The fee for a deck is $70.00. This must be received prior to any review

  5. The application will have to be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator and the Building Official. Turn around time for any plans are 30 days

  6. Once permit is obtained, you must have your permit displayed in a window in the front of the home

What Code Version is currently being used in the Town of Dumfries?

We are currently using the 2003 IRC.

How Do I...

...Get a Site Plan Approved?

Download our Frequently Asked Questions (Faq’s) regarding the site Development Plan Review and Approval Process (PDF 61k) where you will find answers to many of your questions.

 

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