FAQs
Comments/Concerns
Complete the Violation Complaint Form submit it to the Community Development Department located at Town Hall (17739 Main Street, Suite 200, Dumfries, VA 22026)
Inspections
- All footings are inspected after excavation and before pouring concrete.
- All slabs are inspected prior to pouring concrete with all steel in place.
- Concrete walls are inspected prior to pouring concrete with all steel in place.
- Backfill / foundation drainage inspection prior to burying habitable basements.
- All plumbing & gas piping and electrical conduit or wiring prior to covering ditch.
- All gas lines, fuel lines, water & sewer lines must be pressure tested.
- Rough-in inspections of plumbing, electrical, HVACs & gas prior to concealment.
- Framing inspection of floors, walls and roofs prior to insulating.
- Insulation inspection prior to hanging drywall.
- Fireplace hearth inspection prior to pouring concrete with all steel in place.
- Inspection required on all electrical services prior to connection by Power Company.
- Final inspection.
- Electrical bonding & steel placement inspection for all pools.
- Special inspections as required
The use of third party inspection services is a privilege and not a right and is at the discretion of the Town’s Building Official.
Building Permits
The Town of Dumfries, like all jurisdictions in the Commonwealth of Virginia use the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC).
See “Building Permit” for activities that require a permit, or call the Community Development Department at 703-221-3400.
Applications for permits are available online in the Document Center or they can be picked up from Town Hall located at 17755 Main Street.
The length of the review depends on the size and complexity of the project. Contact the Community Development Dept. at 703-221-3400.
There are two primary ways to make the review process move more quickly. First, the Director of Community and Economic Development may identify the project as a “Fast Track/Priority” project. Second, make sure the application information you submit is complete and has the necessary number of plans required for the review process and is submitted on time.
Work authorized by a permit must begin within six months of the date of the permit and be completed within one year of permit issuance. Permits may be extended beyond the deadline at the Building Officials discretion.
A “Stop Work” order is issued for construction work that is not being completed in accordance with the approved plans or for work that was started without a permit.
Prior to making any changes to your approved permit plans, consult with the Building Official.
The permit placard should be displayed in a window of the business or property so it is clearly visible from the street.
Conditional Use Permits
For additional information on which uses may require a Conditional Use permit, please consult the Town Code or contact the Town Planner/Zoning Administrator at 703-221-3400.
The Planning staff makes a recommendation to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission makes a recommendation to approve, conditionally approve, or deny the permit and the Town Council makes the final determination. All applicants can appeal the Town Council’s decision to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
- Parking
- Building size
- Building placement
- Access to streets and utilities
- Hours of Operation
- Noise level
- Landscaping
- Traffic generation
In most cases, the process takes between 45 to 90 days. You can help expedite the review process by making sure your application is correctly filled out and your proposal is clearly stated or if your project is identified as a priority Economic Development project, determined by the Director of Community and Economic Development and the Town Manager.
Property Maintenance
- Near building entrance and visible from street
- Additional numbers for alley entrances
- Color contrasts with background
- Arabic numeral size at least THREE (3) inches in height
- Smoke detectors
- Structural soundness and safety
- Fixtures and facilities
- Cleanliness, safety and sanitation
- Rodents and insect infestation
- Condition of exterior and interior
- Security measures such as locks
- Lighting, heating and ventilation
- Number of persons living in a house or apartment
Grass/weeds cannot exceed 10 inches
Rental Inspection
To protect the public health, safety and welfare of the occupants of dwelling units inside the designated inspection districts.
A rental certificate is a certificate a rental property receives once it has passed inspection based on the Rental Inspection Program guidelines.
Any residential rental property within the Rental Districts needs to be certified.
Yes, although Section 8 properties are inspected annually, if your home is located in a rental district, you are NOT exempt and would need to be inspected by the town and issued a rental certificate.
$50 for a 12 month certificate. Once you are issued your first 12 month certificate, if at the next inspection there are no violations, you may request a 48 month certificate and pay the $200. If during those 48 months a violation has been found, the code official has the right to revoke the certificate until the violation is fixed.
The owner can be prosecuted in court.
The property owner or the tenant can be present for the inspection, but either must be over 18 years of age.
- Permitted uses of land
- Home occupations
- Certificates of occupancy
- Minimum lot size
- Height and location of structures and density
- Auto, trailer, and commercial vehicle parking
- Obstruction of sidewalks and streets by foliage
- Fences
- Non-conformity and variances
- Signs
- Corner vision obstructions