A plumbing & gas permit is required for adding, removing, or relocating fixtures, appliances or piping for all plumbing and gas work, except:
- Repairs involving only the working parts of a valve or faucet (other than gas piping system components)
- The clearance of stoppages
- Repair of leaks or replacement of defective valves or faucets, provided that no changes are made in the piping to the fixture or appliance
Replacement of these elements of the same type, size and location do not require a permit, unless its equipment is fueled by gas or oil. Further exemptions from a permit can be found in §108.2 of the Building Code.
If you are unsure whether a plumbing & gas permit is required, contact the Inspection Services Division by email or phone: 703-228-3800.
Submission Requirements
Plumbing & gas permit applications may be submitted by email or in person at the Arlington County Permit Office. Learn how to submit an application by email. (This permit application and review process is anticipated to move online in a future phase of Permit Arlington.)
- You must complete a Plumbing & Gas Permit Application
- You must also do one of the following:
- Obtain an associated building permit, or
- Department of Environmental Services (DES) will review any boxes, devices, switches, towers, conduit, etc. that will be installed within the right of way.
- If no building permit, three sets of plans as well as plan review are required.
- Plans shall show the riser diagram and a profile of purposed equipment.
- Obtain an associated building permit, or
- For commercial permits (depending on the scope of the project) a fixture count may be required. Fixture counts typically take 10 business days to complete.
- Contact us to determine whether one is required.
- For residential, single-family homes as well as townhouses 3 stories or less in height: fuel / gas systems that are 2 psi or greater require a gas riser diagram.
- Unless the permit holder is the contractor licensed in Virginia for the scope of work on the permit OR the permit holder is the property owner and present for all steps of the permitting process, the party that applies for and/or picks up the permit will need to have a Permit Authorization Affidavit.
Scheduling Inspections
Once your permits have been approved, you must schedule inspections to ensure the safety and proper progress of the project.
If your plumbing & gas permit involves the removal of a tank, final trades inspections must be completed before a Fire Marshal inspection can be scheduled.
Fees
Fee Schedules provide the range of fees charged for each type of application or activity related to land development in Arlington. Fees cover permitting, plan review, enforcement, inspection, service delivery, performance agreements and conditions. There are separate fee schedules for Inspection Services Division (ISD), Zoning and the Department of Environmental Services (DES). Some permits involve fees from more than one schedule.