Shed Permit in Arlington County, Virginia
By Mario Bailey Last checked 2026-07-19 · 3 official sources
Verified against official sources Based on building codeIt depends
Quick answer
Arlington County follows the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, which exempts one story detached sheds up to 256 square feet from a building permit. A larger detached accessory building needs a Residential Building Permit and follows the county new residential house submission requirements. Applications are submitted online through Permit Arlington. Zoning placement and setback rules still apply to exempt sheds.
Typical threshold: One story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar structures are exempt from a building permit when the building area does not exceed 256 square feet.
Who is pulling this permit?
Apply yourself
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Before you sign, ask the contractor:
- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
- Is your contractor license active in this locality, and under which business name?
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When a permit is usually needed
Shed larger than 256 square feet
What your shed permit must meet in Virginia
Virginia's 2021 Uniform Statewide Building Code, published as the 2021 Virginia Residential Code and effective January 18, 2024, lets a small detached shed skip the code's standard footing-depth rules entirely, provided it meets five specific conditions instead.
- Virginia exempts one-story detached sheds, tool and storage buildings, and playhouses up to 256 square feet in area from the code's standard footing requirements, provided all of the listed conditions are met (13VAC5-63-210, R403.1 exception).
- The shed's eave height must be 10 feet or less, and its finished floor cannot sit more than 18 inches above grade (13VAC5-63-210).
- Ground-contact structural elements must be placed level on firm soil, and any wood touching the ground must be approved pressure-preservative-treated for ground contact (13VAC5-63-210).
- Even without a conventional footing, the shed must still be anchored to withstand the code's required wind loads (13VAC5-63-210).
- The exempted shed must be light-frame construction of repetitive wood or light-gauge steel framing with lightweight walls and roof; slate, tile, brick, or masonry construction disqualifies it (13VAC5-63-210).
Based on 2021 Virginia Residential Code, Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code 13VAC5-63-210 (Section R403.1 exceptions). Read the code. Local amendments can be stricter; confirm the current requirement with your office before you build.
What shed permit costs in Arlington County
Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule; paid online through Permit Arlington (eCheck free, cards 2.35 percent fee).
How Arlington County compares in Virginia
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington Countythis page | It depends | One story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar structures are exempt from a building permit when the building area does not exceed 256 square feet. |
| Chesterfield County | It depends | sheds 256 sq ft or less require no permit; sheds 257 sq ft or larger (up to 400 sq ft) require a building permit |
| Culpeper County | It depends | over 256 sq ft |
| Fairfax County | It depends | single-story shed 256 sq ft or larger requires a building permit; under 256 sq ft no permit required |
| Fauquier County | It depends | single-story structures under 256 sq ft are exempt from building permit; 256 sq ft or larger requires a building and zoning permit |
| Henrico County | It depends | sheds and playhouses over 256 sq ft or more than one story require a building permit; 256 sq ft or less and only one story is exempt |
| Loudoun County | It depends | under 256 sq ft requires zoning permit only; 256 sq ft or larger requires a building permit in addition to zoning permit |
Closest shed permit thresholds outside Virginia
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Arlington County's 256 sq ft.
- Austin, Texas, one-story detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds with floor area no greater than 200 sq ft and no more than 15 ft in height and no plumbing and not in a floodplain are exempt
- Bellevue, Washington, detached storage sheds playhouses or gazebos with a floor area of 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit; structures over 200 square feet require a permit
- Clark County, Nevada, sheds over 200 sq ft require a building permit; storage sheds 200 sq ft or under may be exempt under Building Administrative Code Section 22.02.190
- Clark County, Washington, Sheds over 200 square feet require a building permit; sheds of 200 square feet or less are exempt if they meet setbacks and easements, but any size shed in a mobile home park or multi-family zone requires a permit.
How to apply in Arlington County
A residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing.
What most shed permit applications include:
- A written permit application identifying the proposed work and describing the property by its address or legal description, filed with the building department before construction begins (IRC R105.3).
- A scaled site plan showing the shed's size and location and its dimensioned distances to all property lines so required setbacks can be verified before the permit is issued (IRC R106.2).
- Construction documents showing the shed's foundation: freestanding accessory structures at or under the code's small-structure size and eave-height limits (600 square feet and a 10 foot eave height in the model code) are exempt from continuous footings but must still be shown supported on undisturbed soil or engineered fill and anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1).
- Where the shed does sit on a continuous foundation with a wood sill plate, anchor bolt or approved strap details tying the sill plate to the foundation (IRC R403.1.6).
- Roof framing details showing the rafter-to-wall or truss-to-wall connections, since even a shed exempt from continuous footings must be anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1; R802.11).
General submittal guidance from IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC. Source. Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, Inspection Services Division sets the exact checklist for Arlington County.
Where to apply in Arlington County:
Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, Inspection Services Division
- Permit Arlington Center, First Floor, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201
- Phone: 703-228-3800
Inspections and closing out your permit
A permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
- Foundation or anchor inspection: called after any required footings, piers, or ground anchors are set and any forms or reinforcing steel are in place, but before concrete is placed, so the foundation or anchoring system can be verified before it is covered (IRC R109.1.1).
- Frame inspection: after the shed is framed, sheathed, and braced, the inspector checks the framing, bracing, fasteners, and the roof connections that resist wind uplift, before those elements are covered (IRC R109.1.4 frame inspection; R403.1 anchorage).
- Final inspection: made after the permitted work is complete and before the shed is used; work may not proceed past any inspection stage without the building official's approval (IRC R109.1.6 final inspection; R109.4 approval required).
- For a pre-fabricated or kit shed, the manufacturer's installation instructions must be on site at the time of inspection so the inspector can confirm the anchoring and assembly match the design (IRC R106.1.2).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Arlington County permit portal or by phone at 703-228-3800.
Inspection sequence from IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Shed Permit checklist for Arlington County
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: One story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar structures are exempt from a building permit when the building area does not exceed 256 square feet. Usually needed: Shed larger than 256 square feet.
- Budget the fee. Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule; paid online through Permit Arlington (eCheck free, cards 2.35 percent fee). Official fee schedule.
- Apply. A residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing. Start at the Arlington County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, Inspection Services Division. Phone: 703-228-3800. Address: Permit Arlington Center, First Floor, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201.
- Plan for inspections. A permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked 2026-07-19.
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Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a shed permit in Arlington County?
- Arlington County follows the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, which exempts one story detached sheds up to 256 square feet from a building permit. A larger detached accessory building needs a Residential Building Permit and follows the county new residential house submission requirements. Applications are submitted online through Permit Arlington. Zoning placement and setback rules still apply to exempt sheds. One story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar structures are exempt from a building permit when the building area does not exceed 256 square feet. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a shed permit cost in Arlington County?
- Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule; paid online through Permit Arlington (eCheck free, cards 2.35 percent fee). See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a shed permit in Arlington County?
- You can apply through the Arlington County permit portal or contact the Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, Inspection Services Division directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a shed permit themselves in Arlington County?
- Under Virginia law (Va. Code 54.1-1101(A); 13VAC5-63-80 (USBC Sections 108.3, 108.4)): Yes. Va. Code 54.1-1101(A) exempts any person who performs or supervises construction, removal, repair, or improvement of no more than one primary residence owned by them and for their own use during any 24-month period. The exemption covers the whole licensing chapter, including tradesman licensing for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, so it reaches trade work on the owner's own primary residence. Under the USBC the permit applicant may be the owner or the owner's agent, and an applicant may file a written statement that they are not subject to licensure instead of proof of license. Limits: one primary residence per 24 months, for the owner's own use; rental and investment property work is not covered. Confirm how Arlington County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Arlington County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | Permit required | No size exemption is published for decks; new decks and deck modifications are treated as additions requiring a Residential Building Permit. | Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule; |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Like for like replacement of switches, receptacles, lighting fixtures and similar elements of the same type, size and location is exempt unless located in plenums or penetrating fire rated or smoke protected construction. | Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule; |
| Fence Permit | Permit required | Arlington requires a fence permit for any new or replacement fence not part of a larger permitted project; the state building code exempts fences from a building permit unless they serve as a swimming pool barrier or are required for pedestrian safety. | Fees per FY27 Planning and Zoning fee schedule; |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Replacement of mechanical equipment of the same type, size and location is exempt unless the equipment is fueled by gas, in which case a Plumbing/Gas Permit is required; outdoor equipment locations still need zoning approval. | Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule; |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Arlington lists no patio building permit type; a Land Disturbing Activity/Stormwater permit is required when total land disturbance equals or exceeds 2,500 square feet. | LDA/SWM fees per FY27 DES fee schedule; |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Replacement of fixtures, appliances or piping of the same type, size and location on equipment not fueled by gas is exempt; work on gas fueled equipment always requires a permit and inspections. | Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule plus DES drainage fixture unit fees where applicable; |
| Pool Permit | It depends | Under USBC 108.2 a swimming pool is exempt only when its surface area is not greater than 150 square feet and it is less than 24 inches deep; otherwise building and trade permits are required. | Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule; |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | Replacing roof covering alone or with less than 256 square feet of roof decking replaced needs no permit; replacing more than 256 square feet of decking requires a building permit, and decking originally required to be fire retardant treated always requires a permit. | Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule; |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Residential solar electric systems require both an electrical permit and a building permit; no size exemption is published. | Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule; |
Shed Permit in other Virginia localities
Official sources
- https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Building/Permits/Residential
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title13/agency5/chapter63/section80/
- https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Building/Permits
- https://calhouncounty.sc.gov/sites/calhouncounty/files/Documents/Calhoun%20County/Departments/Building%20and%20Planning/2018IRC/2018%20IRC%20Building%20Guide_Accessory%20Structure.pdf
- https://www.botetourtva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/739/Accessory-Structure-Guide-pdf
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title13/agency5/chapter63/section210/
Verified by a person against the sources above on 2026-07-19, not confirmed with Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, Inspection Services Division. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: 2026-07-19Report an error on this page
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Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, Inspection Services Division
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Shed Permit across Virginia