Each year, we at River Pools and Spas install many inground pools in Fairfax County Va., in such towns as Reston, Herndon, McLean, Alexandria, Centerville, Clifton, Lorton, Vienna, and others. Because the permitting process in this county can be difficult, it's important that you understand what the zoning requirement are.
Fairfax Co Zoning and Setback Requirements
Fairfax County - Virginia Pools Setbacks from property lines: vary by zoning district
Setbacks from well and septic: 20’
To apply for a building permit you will need the building application, 2 copies of the plat, and 2 sets of pool plans.
Normal building permits that don’t disturb more than 2,500 sq.ft. take 1 day to obtain, although it's not uncommon for it to take longer on occasions.
Also, if the pool disturbs more than 2500 sq. ft. of the property then a site-related drawing must be obtained. These drawings are typically referred to as either a "grading plan" or a "conservation plan." Most homes in Fairfax County can obtain conservation plans for their pool projects, which tend to be significantly less expensive than grading plans.
A conservation plan tends to cost at least $5,000 (and sometimes more), which covers the cost of having an engineer come out to draw up the documents. Full compliance may cost between $4,000 to $10,000, which includes mandatory county fees and stormwater compliance credits.
Hiring an engineer to draw up a grading plan tends to cost $8,000 to $15,000, and may cost more. Other compliance fees for a grading plan typically run between $6,000 to $35,000, depending on the complexity of the site's storm water needs.
Furthermore, a refundable bond must be paid to the county in the amount of $3,000–$10,000 before the site drawing can be approved. The drawing must be in place and approved by the county before a building permit for the pool can be obtained. It can take anywhere from three weeks to three months for a site plan to be approved.
Some homes may need permits from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) if they're directly accessible from a VDOT-controlled roadway. Your engineer should be able to tell you which type of permit you need.
We don't make these laws... we just follow them.
Questions regarding your pool permit in Fairfax, VA? Don't hesitate to contact us directly at 804-333-9192.
