Building, Trade and Occupancy Permits

To achieve excellence in development review, the Town of Dumfries aims to create a fast, thorough, fair permit review process. Every year, through a continuous improvement process, the town allocates resources required to reduce wait times and produce superior results for applicants and the community.
How do I apply for a permit?
To ensure the quickest review times, please include the following for a building or trade permit application:
  • A completed application including any fees with the 2% levy calculated. The levy is in accordance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC). 
  • One electronic and two hard copies of any architectural plans. All permits require architectural plans. Trade permits with a cost of construction under $5,000 do not require a set of plans.
  • Submit payment via check or money order made payable to the Town of Dumfries (credit cards are not accepted). 
  • Submit a copy of your contractor's license and a copy of your business license along with the permit application and fees. Calculate your fees using the Town's Fee Schedule. 
Before an application goes through an approval process, an application will undergo a review process to verify the complete list of requirements.
How long should I wait for my permit to be approved?
Once all required documentation has been received, approval wait times will vary.
Below you will find the various permits issued with an average processing time (days). Temporary Permits have a quick turnaround; others, like building permits or land disturbance permits, have the most extended wait times.