Alexandria, VA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)

Sec. 8-1-2 adopts the VUSBC, 2006 edition and future editions, as the building code Alexandria enforces, and its electrical provisions are the source of the city's electrical permit and inspection requirements; the director of the department of code administration serves as the building official who administers them under Sec. 8-1-4. The city's local code adds specific enforcement teeth: under Sec. 8-1-19, whenever the building official judges electrical wiring in any structure to be dangerous or unsafe, he must notify the utility furnishing electric energy to that structure, and the utility must disconnect the structure within 72 hours of receiving that notice.

The structure cannot be reconnected until the building official gives written notice that the wiring has been approved. Sec. 8-1-20 separately bars concealing wiring or issuing service approval unless the house street number is displayed on the front of the building, and Sec. 8-1-21 makes it unlawful to cut, break, or interfere with electrical wires during construction, alteration, or repair work without giving the building official 24 hours' written notice of the necessity. Fees for electrical permits, inspections, and certificates are set by city council resolution under Sec.

8-1-23, the same fee section that covers building, mechanical, fire protection, elevator, and plumbing permits, and refunds are available on abandoned or withdrawn applications per that section's terms.