Do I need historic board approval for an addition in Old Town Alexandria?

If your home is in the Old Town or Parker-Gray historic district, you must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) before your building permit is issued. The BAR meets monthly, so time your project around its schedule.

How long does it take to get an addition permit in Alexandria?

A simple, code-compliant project can be reviewed in about 10 business days. A standard home addition usually takes 4–8 weeks, and additions in a historic district can take several weeks to a few months once BAR review is included. Complete, accurate submissions move fastest.

How much do home addition permits cost in Alexandria?

Fees scale with project value. The base fee starts around $50–$75, and total permit fees for a full addition commonly run $500–$1,500 or more. Permits requiring plan review collect a 35% deposit up front, with the balance due at approval.

Does Vale Construction handle the permits?

Yes. Vale Construction manages the entire permitting process for the additions we build — coordinating engineered drawings, preparing the permit set, navigating BAR review in historic districts, and scheduling inspections — so you don't have to deal with the paperwork yourself.

top of page

Do You Need a Permit for a Home Addition in Alexandria, VA?

Q: Do you need a permit for a home addition in Alexandria, VA?

Yes. Every home addition in Alexandria requires a building permit under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, and most additions also need companion electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits. Unpermitted additions can block a future sale, void insurance, and require costly corrections.

Alfredo Esquivel
Jun 25
0 min read

Completed two-level home addition with gray siding, elevated deck and white railed staircase in Arlington VA — Vale Construction

Comments

bottom of page

Do You Need a Permit for a Home Addition in Alexandria, VA?

Recent Posts

Comments

Quick Links

Contact Us