Fairfax Garage Permit Cost (2026)

New detached garage building permit fees in Fairfax County, Virginia, pulled from Appendix Q of the FY2027 Land Development Services Fee Schedule on fairfaxcounty.gov. Unlike alterations - which Fairfax prices at 3% of estimated construction cost - a new garage is new construction priced per square foot by construction type under Appendix Q I-B(A) Table 1 (FY2027, effective July 1, 2026). A typical wood-frame detached garage (Type VA/VB, ICC Group U) is charged $0.15 per square foot as the building permit, plus the 2% Virginia state levy and Fairfax's 10% technology surcharge on the permit fee. The minimum permit fee is $141.75, which produces a $158.77 all-in floor. Because $141.75 divided by $0.15 is 945 square feet, the minimum binds for nearly every standard detached garage: a 240 sq ft 1-car, a 440 sq ft 2-car and a 720 sq ft 3-car garage all land at $158.77 all-in. A 1,000 sq ft garage with workshop runs $168.00, and a 2,000 sq ft garage runs $336.00. This makes Fairfax - usually the most expensive verified Virginia jurisdiction for value-based work - one of the cheapest for a new detached garage. An electrical sub-permit for lighting and outlets is required separately and is not included in the all-in figure.

Building Permit Rate

$0.15/sq ft (wood frame)

Levy + Tech Surcharge

2% + 10% of permit fee

Minimum All-In Fee

$158.77 ($141.75 min + 2% + 10%)

Standard 2-Car (440 sq ft)

$158.77 all-in

Minimum Binds Up To

945 sq ft (wood frame)

Fee Status

Verified Appendix Q FY2027

What This Guide Covers - and What It Does Not

This guide covers: Fairfax County, Virginia new detached garage building permit fees under the Appendix Q new-construction per-square-foot conventions captured from the FY2027 Land Development Services Fee Schedule on fairfaxcounty.gov. Coverage includes the per-square-foot building permit rate by construction type (wood frame Type VA/VB / ICC Group U at $0.15 per sq ft, the typical residential detached garage), the 2% Virginia USBC state levy (I-A.12) and the 10% Fairfax technology surcharge (Part III) applied to the permit fee, and the $141.75 minimum permit fee (I-A.1). The four worked examples below cover standard detached garage scopes from a 240 sq ft 1-car garage through a 1,000 sq ft garage with workshop.

This guide does NOT cover: The electrical sub-permit required for garage lighting, outlets, and any sub-panel - this is a separate trade permit filed under Fairfax's electrical schedule and is NOT included in the all-in building permit figure. A plumbing sub-permit is required separately if a utility sink or hose bibb is added. Higher per-square-foot rates apply to non-combustible construction types - Type IIA/IIIA/IV is $0.22 per sq ft and Type IA/IB is $0.28 per sq ft - so a masonry or steel garage costs more than the wood-frame figures shown here. Attached garages may be filed differently from a detached accessory structure (confirm classification with Fairfax County Land Development Services). Zoning and setback review, lot-coverage limits, and any HOA architectural review are separate from the building permit. The per-square-foot new-construction building permit is a distinct line item from the 3% alteration formula that applies to renovations; tearing down an existing garage is a separate flat $141.75 demolition permit.

Why a new garage is priced differently from an alteration: Fairfax County prices new construction - including a new detached garage - by the building's square footage and construction type, not as a percentage of the declared project value. Alterations and repairs of existing structures use the 3% of estimated construction cost formula. This is the single most important distinction for budgeting a garage: at a low per-square-foot rate, the $141.75 minimum permit fee absorbs most standard garages, so the all-in fee stays at $158.77 even when the contractor's build cost is $25,000 or more. The percentage-of-value formula that makes Fairfax expensive for renovations does not apply to new garage construction.

Sub-permits and review you still need: A garage with electrical service (lights, outlets, a door opener circuit, or a sub-panel) requires a separate electrical sub-permit. If you add a utility sink, a floor drain, or a hose bibb, a separate plumbing sub-permit applies. Detached garage placement must satisfy Fairfax County zoning setbacks and accessory-structure lot-coverage limits, and an HOA may require architectural review. None of these are part of the building permit fee shown in the worked examples - budget and schedule them separately.

Key Takeaways

A new detached garage is new construction in Fairfax, priced per square foot by construction type - not by the 3% of cost formula that applies to alterations (the demolition of an existing garage is a separate flat $141.75 permit). Wood frame (Type VA/VB, ICC Group U), the typical residential detached garage, is $0.15 per sq ft as the building permit under Appendix Q I-B(A) Table 1.
Minimum permit fee is $141.75. With the 2% levy ($2.84) and the 10% technology surcharge ($14.18), both calculated on the permit fee, the all-in floor is $158.77. Because $141.75 divided by $0.15 is 945 sq ft, the minimum binds for nearly every standard detached garage.
A 240 sq ft 1-car garage ($36.00 calculated), a 440 sq ft 2-car garage ($66.00 calculated) and a 720 sq ft 3-car garage ($108.00 calculated, still below $141.75) all land at the $158.77 all-in minimum floor. The per-square-foot rate only begins to govern above 945 sq ft.
A 1,000 sq ft garage with workshop is the first scope in this guide where the formula exceeds the minimum: 1,000 x $0.15 = $150.00 building permit, $3.00 levy, $15.00 technology surcharge, $168.00 all-in. A 2,000 sq ft garage runs $300 + $6.00 + $30.00 = $336.00 all-in.
Fairfax - usually the most expensive verified Virginia jurisdiction for value-based work (alterations at 3% of cost) - is one of the cheapest for a new detached garage, precisely because it prices new construction per square foot at a low rate rather than as a percentage of build cost.
The electrical sub-permit for garage lighting, outlets, and any sub-panel is a separate trade permit and is NOT included in the all-in building permit figure. A plumbing sub-permit applies separately if you add a utility sink, floor drain, or hose bibb.
Higher per-square-foot rates apply to non-combustible construction: Type IIA/IIIA/IV is $0.22 per sq ft and Type IA/IB is $0.28 per sq ft. A masonry or steel garage costs more than the wood-frame figures in this guide - confirm your construction type before budgeting.
Compared to other jurisdictions, a standard 2-car detached garage ($25,000 build, 440 sq ft) costs $158.77 in Fairfax, $224.40 in Henrico County (value-based), $340.70 in Chesterfield County (flat fee), and $71.50 in Washington, DC (flat fee). Methods differ - each jurisdiction prices garages on a different basis.
Zoning setbacks, accessory-structure lot-coverage limits, and any HOA architectural review are separate from the building permit. Confirm detached garage placement and whether your structure is classified as detached or attached with Fairfax County Land Development Services at (703) 222-0801 before filing.

Calculate Your Garage Permit All Fairfax County Permit Fees

Fairfax Garage Permit Fee Components

A new wood-frame detached garage building permit splits into three components: the building permit (square footage x $0.15, minimum $141.75), the 2% Virginia state levy, and the 10% Fairfax technology surcharge, the last two both applied to the permit fee. The component breakdown below shows the math at four garage scopes - from a 240 sq ft 1-car garage through a 1,000 sq ft garage with workshop. Note that the three smaller scopes all fall under the $141.75 minimum permit fee, so the minimum governs and the all-in fee is identical.

Component	1-car, 240 sq ft ($15k)	2-car, 440 sq ft ($25k)	3-car, 720 sq ft ($40k)	Workshop, 1,000 sq ft ($60k)
Building permit ($0.15/sq ft, min $141.75)	$141.75 (min)	$141.75 (min)	$141.75 (min)	$150.00
2% Virginia state levy	$2.84	$2.84	$2.84	$3.00
10% Fairfax technology surcharge	$14.18	$14.18	$14.18	$15.00
All-in garage permit total	$158.77	$158.77	$158.77	$168.00

Source: Fairfax County Appendix Q FY2027 Land Development Services Fee Schedule, effective July 1, 2026, I-B(A) Table 1 new-construction per-square-foot rates. Figures use the wood-frame (Type IIB/IIIB/VA/VB, ICC Group U) rate of $0.15 per sq ft, which is the typical residential detached garage. The 2% Virginia state levy and the 10% technology surcharge are applied to the permit fee per Appendix Q, and the $141.75 minimum permit fee binds for any wood-frame garage up to 945 sq ft ($141.75 divided by $0.15). The declared values in parentheses are representative contractor build costs for each scope - they do not affect the building permit fee, which is driven by square footage. The electrical sub-permit for garage lighting and outlets is filed separately and is NOT included. Non-combustible construction (Type IIA/IIIA/IV at $0.22 per sq ft, Type IA/IB at $0.28 per sq ft) costs more than the figures shown. Half of the permit fee is due at application as a filing-fee deposit and is credited toward the permit fee at issuance (County Code 61-1-3(d)11); it is not an extra charge and is not refunded if the application expires.

Worked Examples - Real Detached Garage Projects in Fairfax

The four worked examples below cover typical Fairfax wood-frame detached garage scopes from a 240 sq ft 1-car garage through a 1,000 sq ft garage with workshop. The first three scopes fall under the $141.75 minimum permit fee, so all three land at the $158.77 all-in floor. The electrical sub-permit for lighting and outlets, any plumbing sub-permit, and zoning or HOA review are filed separately and are NOT included.

Example 1: 240 sq ft 1-car detached garage (~$15,000 build)

A homeowner builds a 240 sq ft single-car wood-frame detached garage on a concrete slab, with a contractor build cost of about $15,000. Construction type is Type VB (wood frame, ICC Group U), so the per-square-foot rate is $0.15. The square-footage calculation comes to $36.00 - well below the $141.75 minimum permit fee - so the $141.75 minimum governs. The build cost does not change the building permit fee; only the square footage and construction type matter.

Square footage: 240 sq ft
Calculated rate (240 x $0.15): $36.00 (below $141.75 min)
Permit fee (minimum applies): $141.75
2% Virginia state levy (on $141.75 permit fee): $2.84
10% Fairfax technology surcharge (on $141.75 permit fee): $14.18
Garage permit total: $158.77 (minimum floor)

Note: the $158.77 all-in is the minimum floor for any wood-frame garage up to 945 sq ft. Add a separate electrical sub-permit for garage lighting and outlets. The same 240 sq ft / $15,000 garage costs $163.20 in Henrico County, $340.70 in Chesterfield County, and $71.50 in Washington, DC.

Example 2: 440 sq ft standard 2-car detached garage (~$25,000 build)

A homeowner builds a 440 sq ft standard two-car wood-frame detached garage with a contractor build cost of about $25,000. At $0.15 per sq ft the calculation comes to $66.00 - still below the $141.75 minimum permit fee - so the minimum governs and the all-in fee matches the smaller 1-car garage. This is the single most common detached garage scope in Fairfax, and it sits squarely under the minimum floor.

Square footage: 440 sq ft
Calculated rate (440 x $0.15): $66.00 (below $141.75 min)
Permit fee (minimum applies): $141.75
2% Virginia state levy (on $141.75 permit fee): $2.84
10% Fairfax technology surcharge (on $141.75 permit fee): $14.18
Garage permit total: $158.77 (still minimum floor)

Note: the $141.75 minimum permit fee binds for wood-frame garages up to 945 sq ft ($141.75 divided by $0.15), so a 440 sq ft 2-car garage stays at the $158.77 floor. A $25,000 build cost would cost far more under a percentage-of-value formula - this is exactly why Fairfax is cheap for new garages but expensive for the alteration of an existing one.

Example 3: 720 sq ft oversized 3-car detached garage (~$40,000 build)

A homeowner builds a 720 sq ft oversized three-car wood-frame detached garage with a contractor build cost of about $40,000. At 720 sq ft the per-square-foot calculation ($108.00) is still below the $141.75 minimum, so the minimum governs and even this oversized garage lands at the $158.77 floor. Under Appendix Q FY2027 a wood-frame garage has to exceed 945 sq ft before the formula sets the permit fee.

Square footage: 720 sq ft
Calculated rate (720 x $0.15): $108.00 (below $141.75 min)
Permit fee (minimum applies): $141.75
2% Virginia state levy (on $141.75 permit fee): $2.84
10% Fairfax technology surcharge (on $141.75 permit fee): $14.18
Garage permit total: $158.77 (minimum floor)

Note: at 720 sq ft the permit fee is still the $141.75 minimum; a Type IIA/IIIA/IV garage of the same size would be 720 x $0.22 = $158.40 and would clear the minimum. Add a separate electrical sub-permit for lighting, outlets, and any sub-panel. A garage of this size with a workbench area commonly adds an electrical sub-permit and, if a utility sink is included, a plumbing sub-permit - both filed separately.

Example 4: 1,000 sq ft detached garage with workshop (~$60,000 build)

A homeowner builds a 1,000 sq ft wood-frame detached garage with an attached workshop bay and a contractor build cost of about $60,000. At 1,000 sq ft the per-square-foot calculation ($150.00) exceeds the $141.75 minimum, so the square-footage rate governs. The structure includes a workshop area with planned electrical and a utility sink - both of which require separate sub-permits not reflected in the building permit total below.

Square footage: 1,000 sq ft
Building permit (1,000 x $0.15): $150.00
2% Virginia state levy (on $150.00 permit fee): $3.00
10% Fairfax technology surcharge (on $150.00 permit fee): $15.00
Garage permit total: $168.00

Note: at 1,000 sq ft and a $60,000 build cost, Fairfax's $168.00 building permit compares against Henrico $438.60, Chesterfield $340.70 flat, and Washington, DC $71.50 flat (a large garage may reclassify to DC's $0.03/cu ft rate). The workshop's electrical sub-permit and the utility-sink plumbing sub-permit are additional and filed separately.

Calculate Your Fairfax Garage Permit

The PermitPrice fee calculator supports Fairfax County's new-construction per-square-foot garage formula. Pick "Fairfax County, VA" in the jurisdiction dropdown, choose the new-construction garage project type, and enter the square footage and construction type. For a wood-frame garage the calculator applies the $0.15 per sq ft rate, the $141.75 minimum permit fee, the 2% state levy and the 10% technology surcharge to produce the all-in fee. For a 1,200 sq ft wood-frame garage: 1,200 x $0.15 = $180.00 permit, levy $3.60, surcharge $18.00, all-in $201.60. The electrical sub-permit for lighting and outlets must be budgeted separately.

Fairfax garage rule of thumb: For a wood-frame garage, all-in fee = $158.77 (any garage up to 945 sq ft) or square footage x $0.15 x 1.12 (above 945 sq ft). At 440 sq ft: $158.77. At 720 sq ft: $158.77. At 1,000 sq ft: $168.00. At 2,000 sq ft: $336.00. Add a separate electrical sub-permit for lighting and outlets, and use the higher $0.22 or $0.28 per sq ft rate for non-combustible construction.

Open the Permit Fee Calculator

Electrical Sub-Permit and Construction-Type Rates - Not in the All-In

The all-in figures in this guide cover only the new-construction building permit, the 2% state levy and the 10% technology surcharge for a wood-frame garage. A garage with any electrical service requires a separate electrical sub-permit, and a higher per-square-foot rate applies if the garage is built from non-combustible materials. Both can change your true total significantly.

Electrical sub-permit (separate): Almost every garage gets lights, outlets, a garage-door-opener circuit, and often a sub-panel. That electrical work requires a separate electrical sub-permit filed under Fairfax's trade schedule - it is NOT included in the building permit all-in figures above. Plan to file the electrical sub-permit alongside the building permit, and confirm the current trade fee with Fairfax County Land Development Services.

Plumbing sub-permit (if applicable): If the garage includes a utility sink, a floor drain, or a hose bibb, a separate plumbing sub-permit applies. A dry garage with no plumbing does not need this permit. As with electrical, the plumbing sub-permit is filed separately and is not part of the building permit all-in.

Construction-type rate (changes the building permit): The $0.15 per sq ft rate applies to wood frame (Type VA/VB, ICC Group U) - the typical residential detached garage. A garage built from non-combustible materials is charged at a higher rate: Type IIA/IIIA/IV is $0.22 per sq ft, and Type IA/IB is $0.28 per sq ft. For a 720 sq ft garage, a Type IIA/IIIA/IV structure would be charged $158.40 building permit instead of the $141.75 minimum, and a Type IA/IB structure $201.60 - a meaningful difference. Confirm your construction type before relying on the wood-frame figures.

Zoning, setbacks, and HOA review (separate): Detached garage placement must satisfy Fairfax County zoning setbacks and accessory-structure lot-coverage limits, and an HOA may require architectural review before construction. These approvals are separate from the building permit and are not reflected in any fee shown here. Attached garages may be filed under a different classification than a detached accessory structure - confirm with Fairfax County Land Development Services at (703) 222-0801.

Fairfax Garage Permit Cost vs Neighbors

Fairfax is one of the cheapest verified jurisdictions for a new detached garage, because it prices new construction per square foot at a low rate ($0.15/sq ft wood frame) rather than as a percentage of build cost. The table below compares the all-in garage permit cost across the verified cluster at four standard scopes. Each scope lists both the square footage and the declared build value so every pricing method can be applied.

Jurisdiction	Pricing Method	1-car, 240 sq ft, $15k	2-car, 440 sq ft, $25k	3-car, 720 sq ft, $40k	Workshop, 1,000 sq ft, $60k
Fairfax County	$0.15/sq ft (wood frame, $141.75 min) + 2% levy + 10% tech	$158.77	$158.77	$158.77	$168.00
Henrico County	$100 + $6/$1k over $5k (cap $680 BP) + 2% levy	$163.20	$224.40	$316.20	$438.60
Chesterfield County	Flat $285 + $50 Environmental Eng + 2% levy	$340.70	$340.70	$340.70	$340.70
Washington, DC	Flat $65 + 10% Enhanced	$71.50	$71.50	$71.50	$71.50

Methods differ - Fairfax and DC price garages as new construction (square footage / cubic footage), Henrico by declared value, Chesterfield by flat fee; each scope lists both square footage and declared value so every jurisdiction can be priced. Loudoun, Norfolk, Richmond, and Virginia Beach are not shown because their official fee schedules carry no discrete new-detached-garage line item.

Compare Across Jurisdictions

For a full breakdown of how Fairfax and other jurisdictions price a new detached garage, see the cross-jurisdiction guide.

Virginia Garage Guide → All Fairfax Permit Fees Fairfax Shed Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a new garage cheaper than an alteration in Fairfax?

Because Fairfax prices new construction by square footage, not by declared value. A new detached garage uses the per-square-foot new-construction line item ($0.15 per sq ft for wood frame), while an alteration of an existing structure uses the 3% of cost formula. At a low per-square-foot rate, the $141.75 minimum permit fee absorbs most standard garages, so a $25,000 build cost still lands at the $158.77 all-in floor. Under a 3% of cost formula that same $25,000 project would cost $840 all-in. The percentage-of-value formula that makes Fairfax expensive for renovations simply does not apply to new garage construction. See the Fairfax alteration guide for the value-based math.

How big can my garage be before the fee rises above $158.77?

For a wood-frame garage, the $141.75 minimum permit fee binds up to 945 square feet ($141.75 divided by $0.15 per sq ft = 945). Below that threshold, the square-footage calculation is less than $141.75, so the minimum governs and the all-in fee stays at $158.77. A 240 sq ft 1-car garage ($36.00 calculated), a 440 sq ft 2-car garage ($66.00 calculated) and a 720 sq ft 3-car garage ($108.00 calculated) all land at $158.77. Above 945 sq ft, the per-square-foot rate begins to exceed the minimum and the building permit grows with size: a 1,000 sq ft garage is $150.00 building permit ($168.00 all-in), and a 2,000 sq ft garage is $300.00 building permit ($336.00 all-in). The threshold is lower for non-combustible construction because the rate is higher.

Does the $158.77 garage permit include the electrical work?

No. The $158.77 all-in covers only the building permit, the 2% state levy and the 10% technology surcharge for the structure itself. Almost every garage gets lights, outlets, a garage-door-opener circuit, and sometimes a sub-panel - and that electrical work requires a separate electrical sub-permit filed under Fairfax's trade schedule. The same is true for plumbing: if you add a utility sink, a floor drain, or a hose bibb, a separate plumbing sub-permit applies. These trade sub-permits are NOT included in any building permit all-in figure on this page. A residential electrical permit covering up to 100 fixtures, circuits or pieces of equipment is the Level One base fee of $141.75, or $158.77 with the 2% levy and 10% technology surcharge. File it alongside the building permit and confirm the current trade fee with Fairfax County Land Development Services at (703) 222-0801.

What construction type is a typical detached garage, and what if mine is masonry or steel?

A typical residential detached garage is wood frame - Type VA or VB, ICC Group U - which is charged $0.15 per square foot as the building permit. If your garage is built from non-combustible materials, a higher rate applies: Type IIA/IIIA/IV is $0.22 per sq ft, and Type IA/IB is $0.28 per sq ft. The difference matters at larger sizes: a 720 sq ft wood-frame garage is the $141.75 minimum building permit, but the same garage in Type IIA/IIIA/IV would be $158.40 building permit and in Type IA/IB $201.60. The figures and worked examples in this guide use the wood-frame rate because it is the typical residential detached garage. Confirm your construction type with Fairfax County Land Development Services before relying on the wood-frame figures.

How does Fairfax compare to Henrico and Chesterfield for a 2-car garage?

For a standard 2-car detached garage (440 sq ft, ~$25,000 build), Fairfax is the cheapest of the Virginia jurisdictions in this comparison at $158.77 all-in. Henrico County prices garages by declared value ($100 + $6 per $1,000 over $5,000, plus 2% levy), so the same garage runs $224.40. Chesterfield County uses a flat fee ($285 building permit + $50 Environmental Engineering + 2% levy = $340.70) regardless of size. Washington, DC is cheaper still at $71.50 flat ($65 + 10% Enhanced). The methods are not directly comparable - Fairfax and DC price by construction size, Henrico by value, and Chesterfield by flat fee - which is why each scope in the comparison table lists both square footage and declared value.

Is the declared build value used to calculate the garage building permit?

No - for a new garage, Fairfax drives the building permit off square footage and construction type, not the declared build value. The build values in this guide (about $15,000 for a 1-car garage up to about $60,000 for a workshop garage) are representative contractor costs included so the comparison table can be priced against jurisdictions that do use value-based formulas. In Fairfax, two 440 sq ft wood-frame garages cost the same $158.77 building permit all-in whether the contractor bid is $20,000 or $30,000. This is the opposite of the alteration line item, where the 3% of cost formula means a higher project cost produces a higher permit fee.

Are attached garages priced the same as detached garages?

Not necessarily. This guide covers a new detached garage filed as an accessory structure. An attached garage - one that shares a wall with the house and is built as part of the home or an addition - may be filed under a different classification, often bundled with the addition or main-dwelling permit rather than as a standalone accessory structure. The per-square-foot new-construction rate may still apply, but the application path and any related plan-review requirements can differ. If you are adding an attached garage, see the Fairfax addition guide and confirm classification with Fairfax County Land Development Services at (703) 222-0801 before assuming the detached-garage figures apply.

Do I need zoning approval or HOA sign-off in addition to the building permit?

Often, yes - and these are separate from the building permit fee shown here. A detached garage must satisfy Fairfax County zoning setbacks and accessory-structure lot-coverage limits, which the County reviews as part of permitting but which can require a site plan or a variance if your placement is tight. Separately, if your property is in a homeowners association, the HOA may require architectural review and approval before you build - this is the homeowner's responsibility and is entirely outside the County permit process. Neither the zoning review nor the HOA approval is reflected in the $158.77 or other all-in figures in this guide. Confirm setback and lot-coverage requirements for your specific lot with Fairfax County Land Development Services at (703) 222-0801, and check your HOA covenants before filing.

Sources

Official .gov Sources - Verified September 18, 2026

Fairfax County Land Development Services Fee Schedule - Appendix Q (PDF) Appendix Q FY2027, effective July 1, 2026 (amendment 05-26-Q, adopted May 5, 2026) - Fairfax County Government - Primary source for the I-B(A) Table 1 new-construction per-square-foot building permit rates by construction type (wood frame Type IIB/IIIB/VA/VB at $0.15 per sq ft; Type IIA/IIIA/IV at $0.22 per sq ft; Type IA/IB at $0.28 per sq ft), the $141.75 minimum permit fee (I-A.1), the filing-fee deposit (I-B(G)), the 2% Virginia state levy (I-A.12) and the 10% technology surcharge (Part III). The new detached garage is priced under the new-construction line item, distinct from the 3% of cost alteration line item. Verified September 18, 2026.
Fairfax County Land Development Services Accessed April 2026 - Fairfax County Government - Official Land Development Services portal with current contact information ((703) 222-0801) and walk-in counter at Herrity Building, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 250, Fairfax, VA 22035. The destination for verifying current garage pricing, construction-type classification, electrical and plumbing sub-permit requirements, and zoning setback and lot-coverage rules before filing.
Code of Virginia Section 36-139 - USBC State Levy Authority Current - Virginia General Assembly - Authorizing statute for the statewide 2% building permit surcharge applied in Virginia jurisdictions, including the 2% levy applied to the Fairfax garage building permit fee.

Next Step

Calculate your specific Fairfax garage permit cost or compare against neighbors.

Use the Calculator → All Fairfax Permit Fees Virginia Garage Guide

Virginia Garage Guide → Henrico Garage Guide → Chesterfield Garage Guide → DC Garage Guide → Fairfax vs Chesterfield: Garages → All Guides →

Always verify current garage permit fees, construction-type rates, sub-permit requirements, and zoning setbacks directly with Fairfax County Land Development Services before budgeting or filing. Call Fairfax County Land Development Services at (703) 222-0801 to confirm the $0.15 per sq ft wood-frame rate, the higher non-combustible construction-type rates, the $141.75 minimum permit fee, the 2% state levy and the 10% technology surcharge for your specific garage scope. Always verify with your local building department whether your garage is classified as detached or attached, whether an electrical or plumbing sub-permit applies, and what setback and lot-coverage limits apply to your lot. Walk-in counter at Herrity Building, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 250, Fairfax, VA 22035 (Mon-Fri 8am-4pm).

Disclaimer: All fee information on PermitPrice is for informational purposes only and is not an official permit quotation. Actual permit fees are determined by Fairfax County Land Development Services at the time of application. The per-square-foot new-construction rates ($0.15 per sq ft for wood frame Type IIB/IIIB/VA/VB, ICC Group U; $0.22 per sq ft for Type IIA/IIIA/IV; $0.28 per sq ft for Type IA/IB), the $141.75 minimum permit fee, the 2% Virginia state levy and the 10% technology surcharge are all sourced from Appendix Q of the FY2027 Fairfax County Land Development Services Fee Schedule (effective July 1, 2026) on fairfaxcounty.gov. The figures and worked examples in this guide use the wood-frame rate because it is the typical residential detached garage. The all-in totals cover only the building permit, state levy and technology surcharge. The electrical sub-permit for garage lighting, outlets, and any sub-panel is a separate trade permit filed under Fairfax's electrical schedule and is NOT included. A plumbing sub-permit (utility sink, floor drain, hose bibb) is NOT included. Zoning and setback review, accessory-structure lot-coverage limits, and any HOA architectural review are separate from the building permit. Attached garages may be filed under a different classification than a detached accessory structure - confirm with Land Development Services. The per-square-foot new-construction line item is distinct from the 3% of cost formula that applies to alterations; demolition of an existing garage is a flat $141.75 permit. The declared build values shown in the comparison table are representative contractor costs included so value-based jurisdictions can be priced; they do not affect the Fairfax building permit, which is driven by square footage and construction type.

Written by: Munib Ur Rehman

Data verified against official fee schedule documents.