Permits and Inspections
City of Falls Church, VA Basement Permit & Inspection Guide, October 2025
Thinking of finishing or remodeling your basement in the City of Falls Church, Virginia? Before you start framing walls or adding a bathroom, you’ll need the proper permits and inspections. Falls Church follows the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), which ensures construction is safe, energy efficient, and legal. Skipping this process could mean stop-work orders, fines, or even tearing out completed work.
This guide explains which permits you need, the contractor licenses required, and the inspection sequence - so your Falls Church basement project stays on track.
👉 Visit the City of Falls Church Licenses & Permits page for official resources.
Permits Required for Basement Remodeling in Falls Church, VA
Basement remodeling in Falls Church typically requires multiple permits depending on your scope of work:
- Building Permit – Required for framing, layout changes, ceilings, or egress windows.
- Electrical Permit – For new outlets, lighting, circuits, or service upgrades.
- Plumbing Permit – If you’re installing or relocating sinks, bathrooms, or drains.
- Mechanical Permit – Required if you’re adding or modifying an HVAC system (adding ducts, equipment replacement, or system expansion).
- Fire Protection (Sprinkler) Permit – Only needed if your home already has a sprinkler system that is being modified.
Getting these permits upfront keeps your remodel legal and avoids delays at final inspection.
Licenses Required to Pull Permits in Falls Church
Only licensed contractors can apply for permits on your behalf in Falls Church. The following credentials are required:
- Virginia Class A Residential Building Contractor License – For building permits (verify at DPOR License Lookup) or Local City of Falls Church Contractor Licence.
- Master Electrical License – State or county license required for electrical permits.
- Master Plumber License – State or county license required for plumbing permits.
- Master HVAC Contractor License – State or county license required for mechanical permits.
- Fire Protection Contractor License – State or county license required for sprinkler permits.
Falls Church Business License Requirement: Contractors must also hold a City of Falls Church business license to legally pull permits and perform work. Even if a contractor is licensed by the state, they cannot work in Falls Church without this local business license.
Learn more about Falls Church Business Licensing.
Basement Inspection Requirements in Falls Church, VA
Once permits are issued, inspections are required to close them out. Falls Church inspections follow a clear sequence:
- Plumbing Groundwork Inspection – Must pass before the floor is closed up.
- Trade Rough-Ins – Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical must all be approved before framing/building inspection.
- Framing / Building Close-In Inspection – Conducted after rough-ins are passed, but before insulation.
- Insulation Inspection – Required before drywall installation.
- Final Trade Inspections – Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and fire protection (if applicable) must pass.
- Final Building Inspection – Once all trade finals are closed, the building inspector checks egress, smoke/CO detectors, handrails, and overall safety.
Each inspection is performed by a different inspector, and they do not need to be scheduled on the same day, giving flexibility to coordinate your trades.
Falls Church Neighborhoods We Serve
We remodel basements across Falls Church, including:
- Broadmont
- Virginia Forest
- Madison Park
- Hillwood
- Oak Knoll
- West End
Why Trust BasementRemodeling.com With Your Falls Church Basement Project?
We’ve completed hundreds of basement remodels across Northern Virginia, including many in Falls Church. Our team specializes in navigating the local permitting process and ensuring smooth inspections:
- Preparing permit applications
- Scheduling inspections with city inspectors
- Using only licensed Virginia Class A and Master trade contractors
- Delivering code-compliant basements that increase home value
See our portfolio and homeowner reviews.
What Happens If You Remodel Without Permits in Falls Church?
Skipping permits can create major setbacks:
- Stop-Work Orders from inspectors
- Tear-out requirements to expose hidden work for inspection
- Double permit fees for retroactive approval
- Voided homeowners insurance in case of damage
- Hidden hazards like faulty wiring or gas leaks
Permits and inspections aren’t just red tape—they protect your family and your investment.
Ready to Remodel Your Falls Church Basement the Right Way?
From the first permit to the final inspection, we handle the entire process so you don’t have to.
