Alexandria says permits are required for most construction, including alterations and additions. Its residential permit guidance includes decks, basement finishing, and kitchen renovations. Source: City of Alexandria: Permit requirements.
Who issues the permit depends on your address
The City of Alexandria handles the permit and plan-review process for projects within the city. Source: City of Alexandria: Permit requirements, City of Alexandria: Plan review services.
City of Alexandria Code Administration
Reviews building plans for new and altered residential buildings within Alexandria. Source: City of Alexandria: Plan review services.
Do I need a permit? Job by job
Short answers for the remodel jobs homeowners ask us about most. Your exact scope decides the answer, so confirm with the permit office for your parcel.
Deck
Permit requiredAlexandria lists deck construction and renovation in its residential plan-review examples. Source: City of Alexandria: Plan review services.
Our decks workFinished basement
Permit requiredThe city lists finishing a basement among residential plan-review examples. Source: City of Alexandria: Plan review services.
Our basement finishing workBathroom or kitchen remodel
Depends on scopeAlexandria lists residential kitchen and bathroom alterations among plan-review examples. Check the exact scope with Code Administration. Source: City of Alexandria: Plan review services.
Our bathroom remodeling workAddition or porch
Permit requiredThe city lists additions and porches in its construction and plan-review guidance. Source: City of Alexandria: Permit requirements, City of Alexandria: Plan review services.
Our home additions workShed or accessory structure
Depends on scopeVirginia has exemptions for some detached storage structures. Check the city rules for the address. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits).
Roof, siding, or window work
Depends on scopeAlexandria lists roof and siding repair or replacement as plan-review examples. Check the exact scope with the city. Source: City of Alexandria: Plan review services.
Our roofing workThe typical permit steps in City of Alexandria
- Check the city permit requirements and identify the residential application for the project. Source: City of Alexandria: Permit requirements.
- Submit plans through the city permit process and ask which trade permits apply. Source: City of Alexandria: Permit requirements, City of Alexandria: Plan review services.
- Ask the city which inspections apply to your permit and schedule them through APEX. Source: City of Alexandria: Inspection schedule.
HOA approval and historic districts are separate
A building permit and any HOA approval are separate. Check your community documents before work.
Ask the city whether the address has historic review requirements before exterior changes. Source: City of Alexandria: Permit requirements.
How Real Elite handles permits
On a job we build, we confirm which office has jurisdiction over your parcel, pull the permits the scope needs, and schedule the inspections. Start with a free site visit: we walk the project with you, tell you what we expect the permit path to be, and put it in a written estimate. If something on this page doesn’t match what the county tells you, the county is right.
Quick questions
- Does Alexandria review deck plans?
- Yes. The city lists deck construction and renovation in its residential plan-review examples. Source: City of Alexandria: Plan review services.
- Does finishing a basement need city review?
- The city lists basement finishing among its residential plan-review examples. Source: City of Alexandria: Plan review services.
- Where do I start an application?
- Alexandria directs applicants to its permit system for applications and supporting documents. Source: City of Alexandria: Permit requirements.
Official sources
Last checked October 12, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the county before you file.
Where we work in City of Alexandria
Permit guides for other counties
- Fairfax County, VA permit guide
- Loudoun County, VA permit guide
- Arlington County, VA permit guide
- Montgomery County, MD permit guide
- Howard County, MD permit guide
- Frederick County, MD permit guide
- Berkeley County, WV permit guide
- Jefferson County, WV permit guide
- Washington County, MD permit guide
- Franklin County, PA permit guide
- Fauquier County, VA permit guide
- Prince William County, VA permit guide
- Frederick County and Winchester, VA permit guide
- Clarke County, VA permit guide
- Falls Church and City of Fairfax, VA permit guide
- Anne Arundel County and Annapolis, MD permit guide
- Carroll County, MD permit guide
- Manassas and Manassas Park, VA permit guide