Find a Fairfax County Building Permit, Status or Inspection Record
If you are trying to answer a simple question such as “Was a permit issued for this addition?”, “Why is my permit still under review?”, “Did the final inspection pass?” or “What permits exist for this address?”, start with PLUS rather than a third-party permit database.
How to Search Fairfax County Building Permits
You do not need to start by calling the county if you already have an address or permit number. The public PLUS search is usually the fastest first step.
- Open the official Building search. Go directly to the Fairfax County PLUS Building page.
- Choose the information you already know. PLUS supports searches using site address, contractor license information, parcel number or permit/record information.
- Use the permit number when possible. A current record commonly follows a format such as
XXXX-2026-00001. Keep the hyphens between each part of the number. - For an address search, start simple. Enter the street number and street name accurately. If a very detailed address produces no match, reduce the number of search fields rather than filling every box.
- Open the correct record. Confirm the work location, record type and project name before relying on the result. One property can have several building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical or amendment records.
- Use Record Info. Inside the record, review Record Details, Processing Status, Related Records, Attachments and Inspections.
- Need the detailed review history? Use the Reports menu near the top of the PLUS record and choose Workflow Routing Slip Report.
What Can You Search in PLUS?
| If you know… | Best search method | What it helps you find |
|---|---|---|
| Permit / record number | Enter the full number with hyphens | The fastest way to reach one specific permit or application. |
| Property address | Use Site Address | Building and trade records associated with the location. |
| Parcel number | Use Parcel Number search | Helpful when street addresses have changed or a site contains multiple addresses. |
| Project name | Use Record Information / project fields | Commercial projects, subdivisions and named construction projects. |
| Contractor license information | Use Contractor License search | Records associated with available contractor information. |
| Approximate submission date | Add a date range after using other known information | Narrows a large result set without guessing an exact permit number. |
Older FIDO permit numbers
Fairfax County replaced legacy permitting systems with PLUS. If you are searching in PLUS for an older permit number that came from the former FIDO system, the county instructs users to place an asterisk before the old permit number, for example *123456789.
Converted records can also use a format different from newer permits, so do not assume every record will contain a four-digit submission year.
How to Check Fairfax County Permit Status
A search result normally shows a record status. For a quick check, that status tells you where the permit currently sits. For a serious project decision, open the record and look at the processing details rather than relying only on the short status label.
| Status you may see | What it generally tells you | What to check next |
|---|---|---|
| Plans Received | The application or plans have entered the county process. | Open Processing Status and check the Workflow Routing Slip Report. |
| Waiting for Corrections | The record has an issue or review item that requires applicant action. | Review processing steps, conditions, review comments and any requested corrections. |
| Waiting for Payment | An assessed payment is still outstanding before the next applicable step. | Open the official record and verify the fee inside PLUS before paying. |
| Issued | The permit has been issued. | Check inspections, permit documents and conditions before proceeding with regulated work. |
| Issued – Amendment Pending | An issued permit has an amendment or related change still being processed. | Open Related Records and Processing Status to see which portion remains pending. |
| Closed | The record is no longer in an active processing status. | Review inspection and processing history to understand how the record reached closure. |
See the actual review path, not just one status word
Fairfax County improved the Workflow Routing Slip Report in 2025 to show more detailed workflow information, including review cycles and due dates. This is especially useful when a permit appears to be sitting in review and you want to know which review step is active.
- Open your permit in PLUS.
- Confirm the correct property and record number.
- Select Reports near the top of the record.
- Choose Workflow Routing Slip Report.
- Review the workflow steps, review cycles, available due dates and assigned review information.
See Fairfax County’s official Workflow Routing Slip guidance →
Check or Schedule Building & Trade Inspections
After a permit is issued, the permit holder is responsible for scheduling the required inspections. Fairfax County performs building and trade inspections for applicable building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work.
How to schedule an inspection in PLUS
- Sign in to PLUS with the account associated with the permit.
- Open My Records and select the issued permit.
- Open the permit’s Inspections section.
- Select Schedule or Request an Inspection.
- Choose the inspection type and an available date.
- Check the contact information carefully because inspection notifications are sent to the applicant and listed onsite contacts.
- Submit the request and return to the record later to review scheduled and completed inspections.
Fairfax County states that a request for the next business day must be submitted in PLUS before 11:59 p.m. Scheduling availability can still depend on the inspection type and capacity.
New 2026 inspection availability dashboard
On October 29, 2026, Land Development Services launched a Building Inspections Availability Dashboard showing scheduling capacity for the next 10 business days. A green bar means slots are available for that inspection type and shows the number of remaining slots. No green bar means that inspection type has no availability for that date.
Open the official inspection availability information →
What happens on inspection day?
The county sends an email on the morning of a scheduled building inspection with a two-hour arrival window, the inspector’s name and the inspector’s phone number. Inspectors may not answer while driving or actively performing another inspection, so leave a message when necessary.
Have the approved building plans, applicable site plans and shop drawings available at the property. You are also responsible for providing safe access and necessary ladders, scaffolding or other equipment required to inspect the work.
Combination inspections matter
Fairfax County uses combination inspections to make the inspection process more efficient. Related inspections for the same stage of construction may need to be requested together. The county warns that failing to schedule related inspections correctly can result in a failed inspection and potentially a reinspection fee.
Cancel before rescheduling
If you need a different inspection date, Fairfax County instructs users to first cancel the existing inspection and then schedule a new date. Do not simply create a second request and assume the earlier request disappears.
Virtual inspections
Both virtual and in-person building inspections are used. When scheduling an eligible inspection, enter a request for a virtual/remote inspection in the Optional Comments or Instructions for your Inspector field. If accepted, be ready to use a mobile-device camera so the inspector can see the work.
Read the current Fairfax County inspection instructions →
Can’t Find an Older Permit? Use LDIH
PLUS became Fairfax County’s central permitting and land-use system in 2022. Older building, zoning, site and complaint information may instead be found in the county’s Land Development Information History (LDIH).
LDIH consolidates records from older county systems and is updated nightly. Fairfax County specifically directs users there when historical information does not appear in PLUS.
- Search the current permit in PLUS first.
- If no historical result appears, open Land Development Information History (LDIH).
- Search the property or available historical record information.
- Compare the property address and record type carefully because old records may use legacy numbering.
- If the record is still unavailable, use the county’s public-records process rather than relying on an incomplete third-party history.
How long are building plans kept?
Fairfax County’s published records-retention information says building plans and supporting building-plan documentation are generally destroyed three years after final inspection. Supporting documentation can include permit applications, inspection information, certifications and architectural correspondence.
This means a permit history entry can sometimes exist even when the full residential construction plan set is no longer retained.
Searching Permit History for a House or Property
A permit search can be useful before buying a home, planning a renovation or trying to understand work completed by a previous owner. It should be treated as one part of property research, not as proof that every improvement is legal or code-compliant.
For a property-history check, look for:
- building permits for additions, alterations, decks, garages or other structural work;
- electrical, plumbing and mechanical records associated with the project;
- the permit’s current or final status;
- completed inspection results;
- related amendment records;
- conditions or unresolved processing items;
- certificates or occupancy-related records when applicable.
Use the Development Tracker for nearby construction
If your question is broader — for example, “What is being built near this address?” — Fairfax County’s newer Development Tracker can be easier than opening permits one by one. It allows address-based exploration of active construction, recent building permits, zoning applications, comprehensive-plan activity and certificates of occupancy.
Open Fairfax County Development Tracker →
Need approved site plans rather than building permits?
Use the Site Records Viewer (SRV). It contains thousands of approved site-related records and PDFs, including site plans, infill lot grading plans and Resource Protection Area studies. Records can be searched geographically or through its search tools.
Open the official Site Records Viewer →
First Confirm the Property Is Actually in Fairfax County
This check can save a lot of time. A mailing address does not always identify the government that handles the building permit.
| Property location | Permit system to check |
|---|---|
| Fairfax County jurisdiction | Fairfax County PLUS |
| Independent City of Fairfax | City of Fairfax Permit Portal, not Fairfax County PLUS |
| Independent City of Falls Church | City of Falls Church permitting services |
| City of Alexandria | City of Alexandria APEX system |
| Arlington County | Permit Arlington |
If the property is inside the independent City of Fairfax, use the City of Fairfax Permit & License Hub. For work actually inside the City of Falls Church, use the City of Falls Church permitting process.
An Alexandria mailing address is another common situation where the actual jurisdiction matters. If the property is inside Alexandria city limits, our Alexandria building permit and inspection guide explains the separate APEX process. Nearby Arlington County also uses a different system; see our Arlington County building permit guide.
Need a Permit Copy, Plans or a Record That Is Not Online?
Most routine searches should begin online. If PLUS, LDIH, the Site Records Viewer and other county tools do not contain the record you need, Land Development Services provides a public-records route.
12055 Government Center Pkwy, Suite 324
Fairfax, VA 22035
Phone: 703-222-0801, TTY 711
Email: LandDevelopmentServices@fairfaxcounty.gov
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; Friday, 9:15 a.m.–4 p.m.
For land-development records that cannot be obtained through the available online systems, the county lists LDSFOIA@fairfaxcounty.gov for records requests. Start with the LDS Public Records page so you do not request material that is already available online.
Which tool should you use?
| Your question | Best Fairfax County resource |
|---|---|
| What is the status of my current building permit? | PLUS record + Workflow Routing Slip Report |
| Was a permit issued for this address? | PLUS Building record search |
| What happened with the inspection? | PLUS → Record Info → Inspections |
| When can I schedule an inspection? | PLUS plus the Building Inspections Availability Dashboard |
| I cannot find an old permit | LDIH after checking PLUS |
| I need an approved site plan PDF | Site Records Viewer |
| What is being built near my property? | Development Tracker |
| I need retained records that are not online | LDS Public Records / records request |
Fairfax County Building Permit Search FAQs
1. Where can I search Fairfax County building permits online?
Use Fairfax County’s official Planning and Land Use System, known as PLUS. Open the Building module and search using a record number, address, parcel information, contractor information or other available record details.
2. Can I search a Fairfax County permit by address?
Yes. PLUS includes a Site Address search. Enter the property information, review the results and verify the work location before opening the permit. One address can have multiple building and trade records.
3. How do I check the status of my Fairfax County permit?
Open the permit in PLUS and review its Record Status and Processing Status. For more detail, select Reports and open the Workflow Routing Slip Report, which provides additional workflow and review information.
4. How do I search an old Fairfax County permit that is not in PLUS?
After checking PLUS, use the Land Development Information History system. LDIH contains legacy building, site, zoning and complaint information uploaded before the full launch of PLUS and is updated nightly.
5. How do I search an old FIDO permit number?
Fairfax County’s PLUS search instructions state that older FIDO permit numbers should be entered with an asterisk before the number, such as *123456789. If it still cannot be found, check LDIH.
6. Can I see Fairfax County inspection results online?
Yes, when the result is available through the permit record. Open the correct PLUS record and select its Inspections section to review scheduled and completed inspections and available results.
7. What is the deadline to request a next-business-day inspection?
Fairfax County states that building and trade inspection requests for the next business day must be submitted in PLUS before 11:59 p.m. Availability still depends on the inspection type and available capacity.
8. Does Fairfax County give an inspection arrival time?
On the morning of a scheduled inspection, the county sends listed contacts an email identifying a two-hour arrival window, along with the inspector’s name and phone number.
9. Does a Fairfax, VA mailing address always use Fairfax County permits?
No. The independent City of Fairfax operates its own permit system. Similarly, the City of Falls Church has separate permitting services. Verify the property’s actual jurisdiction before assuming Fairfax County PLUS is the correct portal.
10. How can I get Fairfax County building plans or records that are not online?
Start with the LDS Public Records page and the available online systems. If the requested Land Development Services record is not accessible there, contact LDS about the county’s records-request process. Be aware that building plans and supporting building-plan documentation are generally retained for three years after final inspection under the county’s published retention information.
Bottom Line
For a current Fairfax County building permit, start with PLUS. Search by permit number or address, open the correct record, check Processing Status and Related Records, then use the Inspections section for scheduled or completed inspections. If the permit predates PLUS or does not appear in the current search, move to LDIH. For plans or records that still cannot be located, use Fairfax County Land Development Services’ official public-records process.
Information checked for 2026. Permit records, system features, office hours and inspection procedures can change. USBuilding.org is an independent informational resource and is not Fairfax County government.