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Finished Basements
Required Permits
The types of permits that may be required, depending on the complexity of the project, are as follows:
- A building and zoning permit application is required for construction of architectural and structural elements, signed by the property owner.
- If your property is located in an incorporated town within Loudoun County, submit an approved zoning permit from the town with your application.
- Trade permits:
- An electrical permit is required for all electrical installations.
- A gas permit is required for installations of all elements and appliances associated with gas piping systems.
- A mechanical permit is required when adding or extending ductwork.
- A plumbing permit is required for installations of all elements and appliances associated with plumbing systems.
Additional Documentation
- In addition to the permit application, you are required to submit basement drawings. Learn more under Required Plans.
- Some basements may be eligible to use the Loudoun County Typical Finished Basement Details (PDF) in lieu of drawings. Learn more under Required Plans.
Learn who should apply for permits.
How to Apply
- Submit a permit application and required drawings in one of the following ways:
- Online in LandMARC - (Account required)
- In person: Building and Development
Loudoun County Government Center
1 Harrison Street, SE.
Leesburg, Virginia 20175
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.- Please bring a set of plans or the Typical Basement Detail Packet.
Plans Required
There are two options for achieving building plan approval: using the Loudoun County Typical Finished Basement Detail or submitting a complete set of plans.
Loudoun County Typical Finished Basement Details
The Loudoun County Typical Finished Basement Details (PDF) may be used in residential uses in lieu of submitted drawings for review with the building application.
Finished basements which include the following may not use the Loudoun County Typical Finished Basement Details in lieu of plans:
- Alterations to a load bearing wall, exterior wall, beam or column / post
- Finished basements that include a kitchen
Complete Set of Plans
Three sets of plans are required for all in-person submissions. The following information must be included.
- Ceiling height
- Height of sill above the finished floor and opening dimensions of emergency egress window in basement bedrooms
- Location of smoke detectors
- Location of stairs, furnace, water heater, and electric panelboard
- Name and function of each room
- Size of window well of basement bedroom’s emergency egress window
Fees
County Typical Finished Basement
- Fees are based on 1% of the construction cost, not including electrical, mechanical, plumbing and gas, with a $65 minimum.
- Finished basements with personal kitchen will require a zoning permit and incur an additional $165 zoning permit fee.
- All fees are calculated based on the details of the application submitted. Separate fees are charged for trade permits, if issued (electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical).
Finished Basements with Plan review
- Fees are based on 1% of the construction cost (not including electrical, mechanical, plumbing and gas) with a $65 minimum. $130 plan review fee will also be charged.
- Finished basements with personal kitchen will require a zoning permit and incur an additional $165 zoning permit fee.
Pay application fees
Permit fees must be paid once the county has completed the review process and you are notified that the permit is ready to be issued. Permits must be issued before your project can begin.
Basement Inspections
- Inspections are required by law. Inspections help to ensure that the basement has been built in accordance with the structural and safety provisions of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC) standard construction practices and the approved drawings or the Loudoun County Typical Finished Basement Details (PDF).
- The number of inspections required varies depending on whether electrical, mechanical, plumbing or gas installations are made.
- An electronic or paper copy of the approved plans or the Loudoun County Typical Finished Basement Details must be on the job site and available to the inspector or no inspection will be performed.
Required Inspections
The following inspections, conducted by Loudoun County inspectors, are required for a finished basement:
- Rough-In: all concealed electrical, mechanical, plumbing and/or gas installations (in any order) but before "building framing"
- Building Framing: after electrical, mechanical, plumbing and/or gas rough-in inspections have been approved, and before covering with concealing materials
- Building Insulation: after framing and insulating and before covering with concealing materials
- Final Inspection: electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and building
Schedule Inspections
The permit holder or their representative must schedule an inspection when the stages of construction that require an inspection are reached. Inspections must be scheduled one work day in advance.
Questions
Call Building and Development at 703-777-0220, option 1.