Fairfax City Zoning Code
§ 260-7
Permits.
[Amended 6-17-2024 by Ord. No. 447]
A.
Review and approvals of building permits and zoning permits. All applications for permits shall be submitted to the City Office for review and approved prior to permit issuance. Each application for a building permit shall include a set of building plans and all data necessary to show that the requirements of this chapter are met.
B.
Building permits required. Except as specified in Subsection C of this section, no building or structure regulated by this chapter shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted or demolished unless a separate permit for each building or structure has first been obtained from the Building Official or the Code Official.
C.
All of the following work is exempt from obtaining a building permit; however, a zoning permit from the City is required before commencement of any work:
(1)
Fences (which must also comply with § 260-15).
(2)
Retaining walls.
(3)
Platforms, sidewalks, and driveways.
(4)
Swimming pools.
(5)
All other permanent installations that are placed within a setback, but do not require a building permit, including detached accessory buildings smaller than 200 square feet.
D.
Application for permit. To obtain a permit, the applicant shall first file an application therefor in writing on a form furnished by the City Clerk-Treasurer for that purpose. Every such applicant shall:
(1)
Identify and describe the work to be covered by the permit for which application is made.
(2)
Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done by legal description, street address, or similar description that will readily identify and definitely locate the proposed building or work.
(3)
Indicate the use or occupancy for which the proposed work is intended.
(4)
Be accompanied by plans, diagrams, computations and specifications and other data as required by the Code Official.
(5)
State the valuation of any new building or structure or any addition, remodeling or alteration to an existing building.
(6)
Sign the application form.
(7)
Indicate contractor.
E.
Permit issuance. The application, plans, specifications, computations and other data filed by an applicant for a permit shall be reviewed by the Building Official. Such plans may be reviewed by other departments of this jurisdiction to verify compliance with any applicable laws under their jurisdiction. If the Building Official finds that the work described in an application for a permit and the plans, specifications and other data filed therewith conform to the requirements of this chapter and other pertinent laws and ordinances, and that the fees specified in § 260-8 have been paid, the Building Official shall issue a permit therefore to the applicant.
F.
Expiration. Every permit issued by the Building Official under the provisions of this chapter shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the building or work authorized by such permit is not commenced within 180 days from the date of such permit or if the building or work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of 180 days. Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit shall be first obtained to do so, and the fee therefor shall be one-half the amount required for a new permit for such work, provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications for such work, and provided further that such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year. In order to renew action on a permit after expiration, the permittee shall pay new full permit fee. Any permittee holding an unexpired permit may apply for an extension of the time within which work may commence under that permit when the permittee is unable to commence work within the time required by this section for good and satisfactory reasons. The Building Official may extend the time for action by the permittee for a period not exceeding 180 days on written request by the permittee showing that circumstances beyond the control of the permittee have prevented action from being taken. No permit shall be extended more than once.
