UPDATE (10/30/2007): New ruling regarding the use of grid pavers on single-family residential driveway surfaces.

The Town of Vienna requires home owners, renters, business owners and tenants to obtain a building permit whenever they wish to make improvements to their property. A permit is required before any of the following improvements may commence:

1. Constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, or demolishing any part of a building or structure. This includes but is not limited to installation of new siding, erection of a storage shed or other accessory structure, finishing a basement, and construction of new facilities such as retaining walls, fences, hot tubs, pools, driveways, satellite antennas, and building additions.
2. Changing the use of a building either within the same use group or to a different use group when the new use requires more structural strength, fire protection, exits, or sanitary provisions.
3. Removing or disturbing any asbestos-containing materials.
4. Additions, alterations, replacement, or relocation of any plumbing, mechanical, or electrical systems.

There are exceptions to when a building permit is required, such as ordinary repairs. The term "ordinary repairs" means replacement of materials with like materials, including but not limited to:

1. Painting.
2. Windows when they are replaced in exactly the same size and location.
3. Doors, except those in fire-rated wall assemblies or exitways.
4. Floor coverings and porch flooring.
5. Repairs to plaster, interior tile work, and other wall coverings.
6. Cabinets installed in residential dwellings.
7. A notable exception is the construction of an accessory structure less than 8 1/2 feet tall and with a total area of less than 150 square feet on a single-family lot. The installation of such a structure does not require a building permit, but its location is restricted in accordance with setback requirements for each of the three residential zones.

If you have questions, please call the Planning and Zoning Department at 703-255-6341.

The following guidelines apply to specific home improvement projects requiring a building permit:

GRADING PLANS

Grading plans MUST BE submitted with all building permits for the following:

1. New structures, including houses, garages and commercial buildings;
2. Swimming pools;
3. Additions or alterations to the exterior footprint of an existing structure, garage or pool;
4. Accessory buildings larger than 200 square feet;
5. At-grade decks; and
6. Demolition permits.

   Grading plans ARE NOT required for the following:

   1. Decks above existing grade; or
   2. New structures of 200 square feet or less in area.

      If you have any questions regarding grading plans, please contact the Department of Public Works at 703-255-6387.

      DECKS

      Homeowners must obtain a building permit before constructing a deck. The location of decks is restricted by specific setback requirements depending on the residential zone in which the property is located.

      Each request for the construction of a deck at any size and height must be accompanied by the original Fairfax County building permit application along with three complete sets of the following: full plans and specifications and a certificate of survey or house plat depicting the location of the proposed improvement. The Planning & Zoning and Public Works departments review this submittal information, usually within two to five working days, and then return two complete sets to the applicant--along with the original permit application--to take to Fairfax County for review and issuance. To summarize, the applicant will need THREE sets of everything except the building permit application.

      The Town performs a setback inspection of the footing/foundation and, in some cases, a final inspection after the deck is completed. All structural inspections are performed by the County.

      For more information about setback requirements, call the Vienna Planning and Zoning Department, 703-255-6341; for building code information, call Fairfax County Department of Environmental Management, Building Plan Review, 703-324-1645, or Residential Inspections Branch, 703-324-1850 or 703-324-1860.

      SATELLITE ANTENNAS

      A building permit must be obtained before erecting a satellite antenna on your property. The Town Code regulates the size and placement of satellite antennae as well as requiring specific screening.

      GROUND MOUNTED: One satellite antenna dish not exceeding 14 feet in diameter may be installed at ground level on any residential lot. It must be located in the rear yard, no closer than 15 feet to the rear lot line or any side lot line, and no closer than 10 feet to the rear of the house. Ground-mounted satellite antennae may be no more that 18 feet high when positioned for operation.

      All ground-mounted satellite antennae over 4 feet in diameter must be screened from adjoining properties by a 6-foot high wood or masonry fence, or by a living screen of evergreens not less than 5 feet high at the time of planting and with trunks spaced no more than 5 feet apart, of a variety that will mature to a height of at least 6 feet.

      ROOF MOUNTED: In lieu of a back yard location, one satellite antenna dish not exceeding four feet in diameter may be mounted to the roof of the house.

      CORNER LOTS: On corner lots, no satellite antenna may be erected in front of the building line of any adjoining lot.

      For more information and assistance concerning home satellite antenna regulations, please call the Planning and Zoning Department at 703-255-6341.