Arlington County, VA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Inspection triggers
- Complaint, area program, or officer's initiative
- Entry requirement
- Owner/tenant consent, or court order
- Reasonable hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (§ 29-2)
- Emergency power
- County Manager may order abatement or razing
- Highrise/commercial
- Annual full-Code inspection required
Summary
The County Manager or a designee inspects dwellings under Arlington County Code § 29-7 in response to a complaint, as part of a systematic area program, or on the official's own initiative. Entry needs the owner or tenant's consent; refusal lets the County Manager petition a court for an inspection order on a showing of probable cause.
A. The County Manager or his designee shall enforce the provisions of this chapter and is hereby authorized and directed to make inspections in response to a complaint that an alleged violation of the provisions of this chapter ... may exist, as part of a systematic inspection program of the area, or when he has valid reason to believe that a violation of this chapter has been or is being committed. B. The County Manager or his designee shall have authority with the consent of the owner or tenant to enter and inspect all dwellings and dwelling units ... for the purpose of determining whether there is compliance with its requirements. C. If any owner, occupant or other person in charge of a building ... fails or refuses to permit free access and entry to the structure or premises under his control ... the County Manager may, upon a showing that probable cause exists for the inspection, petition and obtain an order from a court of competent jurisdiction authorizing such inspection.
Full Breakdown
Section 29-7, "Inspections; Powers and Duties of the County Manager," is the operative building-inspection provision in Chapter 29's Building Maintenance Standards. Subsection A authorizes inspections triggered three ways: a complaint that a violation may exist, participation in a systematic inspection program covering an area, or the official's own valid reason to believe a violation is occurring. Subsection B limits routine entry to cases where the owner or tenant consents. Subsection C addresses refusal: if an owner, occupant, or person in charge blocks free access to a structure or premises being inspected, the County Manager can petition a court of competent jurisdiction and, on a showing of probable cause, obtain an order authorizing the inspection.
m. F lets the Building Official order an owner to repair or secure a dangerous structure, with the County able to do the work itself and recover the cost as a real-estate tax lien if the owner and lienholders fail to act after reasonable notice.
Violations & Fines
Obstructing a lawful inspection does not carry its own fine; instead § 29-7.C lets the County Manager go to court for an order compelling entry. Underlying Code violations found during an inspection default to the general penalty in § 1-6: up to $2,500, up to 30 days in the County Jail, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense, plus cost recovery as a property lien under § 29-7.F for unsafe structures the County repairs or secures itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can inspect a dwelling in Arlington County and why?
Can I refuse a building inspection?
What buildings get a mandatory annual inspection?
What can the County do after finding an unsafe condition?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arlington County
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