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Arlington County, Virginia Building Permits & Zoning

Regulatory data for residential homebuilders and land developers

8.1
Friction Index Very High Regulatory Environment
Permit Timeline
70 days
10-11 weeks
Total Fees Est.
$28,300
per residential lot
Impact Fees
$22,000
per lot
Permit Fee
$4,200
residential
Plan Review Fee
$2,100
per application
Delay Risk
58%
probability of delay

Zoning & Requirements

Permitting Requirements

Process Notes

Staffing & Operations
Arlington County Department of Community Planning, Housing & Development. Virginia's most urbanized county. Site plan review process lengthy and complex. Community engagement extensive. Single-family development limited - most activity is infill or teardown/rebuild. Strict design standards and environmental requirements.
Recent Changes
January 2026: Updated Missing Middle Housing Study recommendations adopted. November 2025: Revised stormwater management requirements. October 2025: New tree canopy preservation ordinance requiring 40% coverage retention. December 2025: Updated affordable housing requirements for rezonings.
Rezone Probability
35%

Contact Information

Permit Office Phone
(703) 228-3525
Official Website
https://www.arlingtonva.us/cphd

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