ATTENTION: THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES BUILDING MAXIMUM CAPACITY IS 40
CUSTOMERS. TO BE IN COMPLIANCE, CAPACITY IS MONITORED REGULARY AND CUSTOMER
SERVICES MAY BE MODIFIED, AT ANY TIME. RECEPTION/EARLY ASSISTANCE DESK SERVICES
AND TICKETS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE DURING PEAK CAPACITY, WHICH IS USUALLY BETWEEN
THE HOURS OF 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. PLEASE CONTACT DDS@pwcgov.org OR 703-792-6930 FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE.
LATEST UPDATE: July 8, 2020
Prince William County Government Development Services Building is open. This includes the following Departments and Offices: Development Services, Environmental Services, Fire Marshal, Geographic Information Systems, Planning, Public Works, Transportation and Environmental Health – Prince William Health District.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Development Services has continued to remain 'Open for Business', serving customers via online, remote and electronic services. As of today, these services are available with the addition of one Customer Service Counter open to serve walk-in customers.
We remain committed to providing excellent customer service. The health, safety and wellbeing of our employees, customers and community is our top priority.
Please follow the guidelines below and do not hesitate to contact us for assistance or information, here:
Address Validation - 703-792-6840 PWCMaps@pwcgov.org
Building Construction Plan Intake - 703-792-4040 PlanIntake@pwcgov.org
Building Development - 703-792-6930 BDD@pwcgov.org
ePlans - 703-792-6930 BDD@pwcgov.org
ePortal - 703-792-6875 DMS@pwcgov.org
Fire Protection ePlans - 703-792-6360 FMOSubmissions@pwcgov.org
Inspections - 703-792-7006 BDDInspections@pwcgov.org
Land Development - 703-792-6830 LDD@pwcgov.org
Special Inspections - 703-792-6112 SpecialInspections@pwcgov.org
Temporary Outdoor Seating Permit - 703-792-6830 TAP@pwcgov.org
Zoning Permits - 703-792-6830 ZoningCounters@pwcgov.org
HOW TO VALIDATE AN ADDRESS
Pre-Submissions
An Address Validation is required with all applications. Address validations are processed online, via email only. Please contact 703-792-6840 or PWCMaps@pwcgov.org or find more information here.
Submissions
The Department of Development Services is accepting electronic plan and project submissions. E-submissions are limited, so please note carefully what can and cannot be accepted.
E-submissions
Building Development Division
Effective April 22, 2020, all new Building Construction Plan submissions that meet the criteria in the Customer Electronic Plan Review (ePlan) Guide found here, are required to be submitted electronically. Please ensure your address validation and zoning approval have been obtained prior to submission. Building Construction Plan submissions should be sent to: PlanIntake@pwcgov.org.
After April 22, submissions that do not follow the ePlan Guide or include a payment within two (2) business days, will not pass the quality control acceptance process, unless exempted from the requirement.
Examples of building construction projects that will NOT be accepted electronically and still need to be hard-copy submissions are:
New Church with an occupant load of 300 people or more;
New Apartment building that is 50,000 square feet or more; and
New Department store that is 200,000 square feet or more.
Please contact the Building Development Division for information or if you need assistance to ensure your application is complete prior to emailing by calling: 703-792-4040.
Fire Protection ePlan Submission Process
Effective, May 26, 2020, all Plans associated with Fire Protection Permits (FPP) for the Fire Marshal's Office (FMO) will be accepted as electronic Fire Protection ePlans through the Building Development Division (BDD) ePlan.
The Fire Protection ePlans that will be accepted through this process are:
- Fire Alarms;
- Sprinkler Systems including: Fire Pumps; Remote FDC; and Breezeway Loops;
- Alternative Suppression Systems including: Clean agents; CO2; and other inert gas;
- Underground Fire Lines; and
- Kitchen Hood suppression systems.
The Fire Protection ePlan submission process includes new construction submittals and alterations to existing systems for Tenant Layouts, Additions, and Relocations. Please refer to the Customer Electronic Plan Review (ePlan) Guide and send all electronic submissions to FMOSubmissions@pwcgov.org. The contractor, designer or engineer is responsible for ensuring all plans submitted are calibrated, unlocked and appropriately labeled to prevent delays or improper routing.
Separately, please note that Site Plans submitted through the Land Development Division are not a part of the BDD or FMO ePlan submission process at this time. The FMO review of Site Plans will be consistent with current practice and processes and civil engineers and designers will still be able to work with the FMO plan reviewer electronically towards final submissions. In the meantime, if the project started with hard-copy plans, it must continue as hard-copy submissions. Please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance or more information at FMOSubmissions@pwcgov.org.
Land Development Division
For a complete list of submissions that can be received electronically, please visit the zoning and application approval process guide found here.
The Land Development Division highly encourages electronic submission of:
Zoning Permit and Occupancy Applications to ZoningCounters@pwcgov.org;
Performance Bond and Escrow Agreements to LDD@pwcgov.org; and
Bond and Escrow Extension/Reductions to LDD@pwcgov.org.
Please contact the Land Development Division for information or if you need assistance to ensure your application is complete prior to emailing by calling: 703-792-6830.
HOW TO LOOK UP PERMITS
24 hour access to the following services: Permits, Inspections, Plans, Requests, Code Enforcement and Online Payments is available on the Development Services ePortal.
HOW TO SCHEDULE AN INSPECTION
General Inspections
For general inspection inquiries, please contact the Inspections office at 703-792-7006 or BDDInspections@pwcgov.org.
Building Inspections
Building Inspections are being performed via remote video inspections. Please review the remote (video) inspection processes here. Exceptions may be considered for Emergencies Only (i.e. Power Outages, Structure Fires etc.).
Fire Marshal Inspections
Fire and Life Safety Inspections will NOT be conducted remotely. Inspections related to Undergound Fire Lines, Fire Alarm Systems, Sprinkler Systems, Kitchen Hood systems, etc., will be conducted in person through witnessed testing. Due to the complexity of these systems and the related life safety risk associated with failures the Fire Marshal's will continue to conduct these inspections in person.
Remote (video) Inspections
Effective April 13, 2020, all Building Construction Inspections and all Special Inspections will be performed remotely through video. Please review the remote (video) inspection processes here and here.
Self-Certification
COVID-19 Self Certification form now includes the installation of gas appliances, solar panels, and car chargers and is located here.
Site Inspections
Site Inspections continue as normal.
Special Inspections
Please review the remote (video) inspection process here.
HOW TO MAKE A PAYMENT
Payments
- Development Services accepts credit card payments over the phone at 703-792-6930. Additionally, the Building Development Division can issue an online invoice for credit card payments.
- Environmental Services/Watershed accepts credit card payments over the phone at 703-792-7070.
- Payments to all other Agencies are by 'CHECK ONLY’ made payable to 'Prince William County' or 'PWC'.
HOW TO REACH AFFILIATED AGENCIES
Affiliated Agencies
Fire Marshal's Office
- For general inquiries contact us at 703-792-6360 or access our staff directory here.
- Fire Protection Plan Review will still be conducted, and inspections will still be primarily scheduled through the IVR/EnerGov systems.
- Emails are preferred for tracking methods, but phone calls will also be accepted.
- All construction inspections for Fire Protection Systems will continue as scheduled in line with all Building Inspections.
- Payment of fees - See above guidelines established by Development Services.
- Code Compliance and Life Safety Inspections required for Department of Social Services (DSS) licensure will be scheduled on a case-by-case basis.
- Requests for these inspections will be handled through a phone call during regular business hours by calling 703-792-6360.
Environmental Health – Prince William Health District
Geographic Information Services – GIS Division More Information
Planning Office More information
Public Works
Please contact 703-792-7070 for the following:
- Lot Grading Plans and Lot Grading Inspection.
- Construction General Permit.
- Camera Van Inspections.
- Geotechnical review and as-built plan.
- Floodplain and RPA issues.
- Plan reviews will continue.
- Site and lot grading inspections will continue.
- Applications will be accepted via drop-off and other mail services.
- Staff is available for customer calls
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