Arlington Basement Permit & Inspection Guide, July 2025

Thinking about turning that under-used lower level in Arlington County, VA into livable space? Before starting you’ll need the right county permits and a clear plan for inspections. Arlington’s Inspection Services Division enforces Virginia’s Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) to keep projects safe and legal. Skipping a step can mean stop-work orders, re-inspection fees, or even ripping out brand-new drywall. Use this guide to move from application to final approval - without surprises.

Permits required for basement finishing or remodeling projects in Arlington County, Virginia

Any basement finish or remodel here typically triggers up to five separate permits:

Permit Type	When It’s Required	Issuing Agency
Building	All structural work—new walls, layout changes, egress windows, ceiling-height alterations	Arlington Inspection Services
Electrical	New circuits, lighting, outlets, panel upgrades	Arlington Inspection Services
Plumbing	Any new bathroom, bar sink, drain relocation, or gas line work	Arlington Inspection Services
Mechanical	Even small HVAC scope counts. Adding returns, relocating ducts, or replacing equipment all need a mechanical permit	Arlington Inspection Services

Getting each permit up front keeps your project on schedule and avoids “surprise” trade permits later.

Licenses required to pull permits in Arlington County

Only properly licensed contractors can apply for permits on your behalf:

• Building: Virginia Class A Residential Building Contractor License
  Required for structural work such as framing, layout changes, or egress windows. Verify licenses using the DPOR License Lookup.
• Electrical: Virginia Master Electrician License
  Needed for all electrical installations or upgrades in Arlington County.
• Mechanical: Virginia Master HVAC License
  Required for any HVAC system work, including duct changes or equipment replacement.
• Plumbing: Virginia Master Plumber License
  Mandatory for all plumbing modifications, from installing a new sink to moving a drain line.
• Fire Sprinkler: Virginia Fire Protection Contractor License
  Necessary for modifying or installing any residential fire sprinkler system.

One crucial Virginia twist: every contractor must also hold an Arlington County Business License in addition to their state credential. Without it, they can’t legally pull your permit—even if they’re fully licensed by DPOR.

Helpful links:

• Apply for trade permits – Arlington Permits Portal
  
  
• Verify state licenses – DPOR License Lookup
  
  
• County business licenses – Arlington Economic Development
  
  

Inspection requirements in Arlington County

Expect 7 – 12 separate inspections from rough-in to finals. Arlington schedules each inspection type individually, and different inspectors handle each discipline, so you can book them as trades are ready (usually next-day slots are available online).

1. Plumbing groundwork – Must pass before the slab is poured or patched.
   
   
2. Rough-in trade inspections – Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing (and Sprinkler, if applicable) inspections once each work is complete but before Insulation or drywall installation.
   
   
3. Rough-in Building/Framing – Inspector checks stud spacing, fire-blocking, and egress after all trade rough-ins clear. No insulation until this passes.
   
   
4. Insulation – Quick check after batts or rigid foam are installed; required before drywall.
   
   
5. Final trade inspections – Final Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing (and Sprinkler, if applicable) inspections  once each work is complete but before final building inspection.
   
   
6. Final Building – Confirms handrails, smoke/CO alarms, emergency egress, door clearances, and finish materials. All trade finals must close before you can schedule this visit. 

Note: Arlington allows you to schedule electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and building inspections for the same visit; however, each trade is inspected by a separate inspector. When the work is ready for close-in or final inspection, this coordinated scheduling can help streamline the process. Alternatively, you may schedule each inspection independently if preferred.

Staying on top of the sequencing - and booking inspections as soon as trades are ready - keeps your project moving and prevents re-inspection fees.

We navigate Arlington permits & inspections every day

BasementRemodeling.com has pulled more Arlington basement permits than any other remodeler in the DMV. Our in-house permitting team:

• Preps plan sets and online applications
  
  
• Coordinates inspection calendars to minimize site visits
  
  
• Works exclusively with Class A, Master, and county-licensed trades
  
  
• Delivers code-compliant basements that appraise higher and insure easier
  
  

See our portfolio or request a free quote to see what’s possible.

What happens if I finish my Arlington basement without permits?

County inspectors issue immediate Stop-Work Orders when unpermitted construction is discovered. Best-case, you’ll pay double permit fees and wait for retroactive plan review; worst-case, framing, drywall, or even plumbing gets ripped out for inspection access—on your dime. Unpermitted work can also:

• Void homeowners-insurance claims
  
  
• Complicate appraisals or home sales
  
  
• Hide life-safety hazards (electrical fires, CO leaks, structural failure)
  
  

Permits aren’t paperwork - they’re protection.

Arlington neighborhoods we serve

We remodel basements county-wide, including: Ballston, Clarendon, Rosslyn, Crystal City, Pentagon City, Courthouse, Shirlington, Columbia Pike, Cherrydale, Lyon Village, Bluemont, Aurora Highlands, Glencarlyn. 

View more projects on our Arlington service-area page.

Ready to finish your basement the right way?

Let BasementRemodeling.com handle permits, inspections, and construction from start to finish—so you can enjoy a beautiful, code-compliant new living space without the stress. Learn about our process or get started today.

 

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