Development Services

Customers in need of assistance will receive an email notifying them to schedule a Virtual Appointment and an appointment link. Appointments can be scheduled up to 30 days in advance.

To schedule an appointment:

• Choose a date and time: A calendar will be displayed showing the available dates and times for the selected service. Select your preferred date and time.
• You must provide your first and last name, a valid email address, phone number and depending on the service additional information.
• Click Create Appointment.

Once your appointment is scheduled you will receive an email and text confirmation. The day before your appointment you will receive an email and text reminder with a link to click to “check in” within 15 minutes of your appointment time.

You may use a computer, tablet or smartphone with internet access to join the meeting via Microsoft Teams.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Expected Appointment Duration: 50 minutes.
• Appointments are non-transferrable to other customers.
• Duplicate appointments are not allowed.
• If you no longer need your scheduled appointment, please cancel it to allow someone else to schedule the time.
• To cancel or reschedule, click on the link in the email you received after you scheduled your appointment.
• If no appointments are available in the upcoming weeks, you’ll see a message indicating the schedule is full and times are not available. Please continue to check back to try to schedule an appointment later.
• If you experience any technical difficulties during your appointed time, please reschedule.

Before your appointment, please remember:

• To have a computer, tablet or smartphone with internet access.
• To plan and prepare your questions in advance.
• To be prepared to share project documents electronically on your computer screen via Microsoft Teams.
• During the virtual appointment, PWC representative can share their computer screens.
• You must be present for the entire appointment time.
• The use of webcams during the virtual appointment is optional.
• Virtual appointments are for information only and do not replace any regulatory requirement.
• Do not check in via the link in email/text more than fifteen minutes before your scheduled time.

Virtual appointments are available for address and/or project research. Please note that some structures may have limited information on record.

Types of research available include:

• Verification of address, including existing suites;
• Historical list of approved use groups;
• Active and retired certificates of occupancy, including occupant loads;
• Documented types of construction;
• Code year of original construction;
• Available base building data.

If you need more in-depth assistance from Project Management, please visit the Development Services Building to meet with a project manager in person.

To book a virtual appointment, click here.

For more information, please visit, call (703) 792-6930 or email [email protected].

These virtual appointments are used for fire sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and any other alternative fire extinguishing system. The complexity and scope of the project determine if a plan qualifies for virtual review.

Types of plans that qualify for virtual appointments, include:

• Fire sprinkler modifications of 50 heads or less, with no hydraulic calculations involved;
• Fire alarm modifications involving 15 devices or less, with no modification to FACP unless it is an exact model replacement;
• Fire alarm systems associated with an access control device, such as the use of magnetic/electronic locking mechanisms;
• Fire alarm monitoring of a fire sprinkler system flow and tamper switch (Highly recommend Fire Alarm Express permit);
• Range hood suppression systems;
• Underground fire lines with a copy of an approved site plan;
• Fire lane plans (FLP) that are identical to the approved site plan. (A FLP number must be established prior to booking an appointment); and
• Site specific review sheets for NFPA 13D fire sprinkler permit applications for previously approved Master Plans on File (single family dwelling models).

All submitted plans must be quality control approved through the Department of Development Services, Building Development Division’s Plan Intake, prior to scheduling a virtual appointment. Minor revisions are allowed if they meet the above criteria and identify the scope of the changes with “clouding.” The Designer of record must be present during the session. The Fire Marshal will inform the customer during the video call if the plan is approved or requires revisions.

To book a virtual appointment, click here.

For more information, please visit https://www.pwcva.gov/department/fire-marshals-office, call (703) 792-6360 or email [email protected].

Virtual Appointments with Building Plan Intake are currently for customers with specific issues that need Quality Control Assistance.
Customers in need of assistance will be contacted directly and provided an appointment link, via email.