Do I need a permit? in Arlington County, VA

The details

• No building permit: sheds and playhouses up to 256 sq ft, fences (not pool barriers), masonry walls to 6 ft, retaining walls under 3 ft of fill, pools 150 sq ft or less and under 24 in deep.High confidence
• In a Resource Protection Area, new or replaced fences and retaining walls, any paving, decks, sheds, pergolas and removing trees 3 in or wider need RPA review even without a building permit.High confidence
• Disturbing more than 2,500 sq ft needs a Land Disturbing Activity permit.High confidence

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Common questions

Which small projects need no permit in Arlington County?

Arlington follows Virginia's statewide exemptions: sheds to 256 sq ft, fences of any height except pool barriers, retaining walls holding back less than 3 ft, small shallow pools and like-for-like electric HVAC swaps. Every deck needs a permit, and in an RPA even exempt work needs county review.

Sources

1. Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (pools, mechanical, electrical and flood-area items). Checked 2026-10-21
   8. Swimming pools that have a surface area not greater than 150 square feet and are less than 24 inches deep... 14.4 Replacement of mechanical appliances provided the equipment is not fueled by gas or oil in Group R-2 where serving a single-family dwelling …
2. Arlington County, Resource Protection Area (RPA) and the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance. Checked 2026-10-21
   [RPA review is required for] new or replaced fences and retaining walls; new paved surfaces, including gravel; decks, sheds, and pergolas; removing trees 3 inches or more in diameter... [A CBORC exception is required for] increasing impervious cover in the …