Plumbing/Gas Permit

 

A plumbing/gas permit is required for adding, removing, or relocating fixtures, appliances, or piping for all plumbing and gas work.

Replacing fixtures and other elements on gas-fueled equipment requires a permit and inspections. On equipment not fueled by gas, however, replacement of fixtures, appliances, or piping of the same type, size, and location does not require a permit. Further exemptions from a permit can be found in §108.2 of the Building Code.

If you are unsure whether a permit is required, contact the Inspection Services Division by email or phone: 703-228-3800.

Submission Requirements

Plumbing/gas permit applications must be submitted online via ePlan.

• Upon the replacement or new installation of any fuel-burning appliances or equipment in existing buildings, an inspection shall be conducted to ensure that the connected vent or chimney systems are (1) sized in accordance with the building code and (2) are clean and free of any obstruction or blockages, defects or deterioration and are in operable condition. You must provide the completed Chimney Vent Certification form upon completing inspections of such fuel-burning appliances or equipment.
• Review ePlan online submission guidelines, which include document sizing and layout, standard file naming conventions, and file type requirements.
• Based on the permit holder and applicant for your project, you may be required to upload a Permit Authorization Affidavit.
• Applications that do not have an associated Building Permit may require plans or other supporting documents to be provided.
• If there is an associated Building Permit, submit the plumbing or gas plans under the Building Permit.
• Depending on the scope of the project, a fixture count may be required. Many permits that include plumbing fixtures require additional review from the Department of Environmental Services (DES) to validate the drainage fixture units.
• When you apply, you must identify the type of building in your project. Some residential properties are considered commercial per the Building Code and therefore require a commercial permit. Determine whether your project is considered residential or commercial.

Application Process

Apply online

• Register or log in to ePlan to submit a Plumbing/Gas Permit application.
• Step-by-step video tutorials and help are available here.

Some Plumbing/Gas Permit projects require a Building Permit and plans to be approved and issued before applying for an Plumbing/Gas Permit, while others require plans to be submitted. Review both lists below (click to expand) to determine which instructions apply to your project(s). If you don’t see your project listed in either list, or if there is already a Building Permit for the project, plans should not be submitted with the Plumbing/Gas. 

Completeness check

• Applications will be checked for completeness within 2 business days.
• You will receive an email with further instruction if your application is incomplete.

Review

• Commercial projects take up to 3 business days to review.
• Residential projects take up to 2 business days to review.
• Review times do not include completeness check or final processing windows.
• Depending on the scope, some projects may not require further review and will proceed to final processing immediately.

Revisions

• Applicants will receive an email with any review comments.
• View the Permit Revisions webpage to learn how to respond to comments and revise plans or documents.
• If there is an associated Building Permit, the revisions to plans should be submitted under the Building Permit.

Changes to applications previously submitted in paper or email

• If the permit was not assigned a permit number, please submit a new application in ePlan.
• If the permit was assigned a permit number and there is an associated Building Permit:
  • Plan changes must be submitted, reviewed, and approved under the Building Permit.
  • Once the Building Permit is approved, email an amended Plumbing/Gas Permit application to ISDTradePermits@arlingtonva.us.
  • Note on the application, “Amendment to <insert permit number>”.
  • Fill out all of the information exactly the same as the original application, except for the quantity of fixtures and equipment. Only include changing information in the fixture counts; do not include all original fixtures.
• If the permit was assigned a permit number and there is not an associated Building Permit:
  • Email an amended Plumbing/Gas Permit application Plumbing/Gas Permit application to ISDTradePermits@arlingtonva.us.
  • Note on the application, “Amendment to <insert permit number>”.
  • Fill out all of the information exactly the same as the original application, except for the quantity of fixtures and equipment. Only include changing information in the fixture counts; do not include all original fixtures.

Final processing

• After required reviews and revisions are completed, contractor information will be verified and permit fees will be calculated.
• You will receive an email with final processing information within 2 business days that includes a permit fee balance to pay online.

Approvals and printing

• Once payment is received, you will receive a digital copy of the permit through your ePlan account.
• An approved plan set will be available within approximately one business day, also accessible through your ePlan account.
• The applicant is responsible for printing the permit and plan set. Construction may not begin until permits have been approved and posted.
• View printed plan set requirements.
• Any changes to the plans after permit issuance will require revisions to the permit application or to the approved plan set. If there is an associated Building Permit, revisions to plans should be submitted under the Building Permit.

Scheduling Inspections

Once your permits have been approved, you must schedule inspections to ensure the safety and proper progress of the project.

The individual that will be onsite the day of the inspection must contact the assigned inspector the morning of the inspection. If the inspector is not contacted, the inspection will be cancelled. After 7 a.m. on the day of your scheduled inspection, use this guide to contact your inspector.

Fees

• View fee schedules and payment methods.
• This permit can be paid for online. Access the online payment portal.

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.