Permit Checklist
Required permits, inspection timeline, and approval process for construction.
1. Permits Required
| Permit | Agency | Timeline | Cost Estimate | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoning Certificate of Use (ZCU) | Planning & Zoning | ~4 weeks | $50-$200 | Required FIRST |
| Tenant Improvement Permit | Inspections & Permits | ~10 business days/review | Based on work cost ($2,000-$4,000) | Via LUN system |
| Electrical Permit | I&P (via TI permit) | Included in TI | Included | Sub-permit |
| Plumbing Permit | I&P (via TI permit) | Included in TI | Included | Sub-permit |
| Mechanical Permit | I&P (via TI permit) | Included in TI | Included | Sub-permit |
| Fire Marshal Review | Fire Marshal | Concurrent with TI | Included | Required for CO |
| Salon Permit | Virginia DPOR (Board for Barbers and Cosmetology) | 2-4 weeks after CO | $225 | After CO |
| Business License | Loudoun County | After CO | $15-$50 | Final step |
Total Permit Budget: $3,000-$5,000
2. EZ Tenant Permit Eligibility Assessment
Loudoun County offers an expedited "EZ Tenant Permit" process for qualifying projects. Assessment for Luxa Salon Suites:
| Criterion | Requirement | Luxa Status | Eligible? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space Size | Under 7,500 sq ft | ~3,500 sq ft | YES |
| Work Type | Non-structural work | Interior build-out only | YES |
| Use Classification | No change of use | VERIFY with county | MAYBE |
| Appointment Process | Wednesdays | Available | YES |
| Submission Method | LUN system required | Online capable | YES |
EZ Permit Process:
- Submit application via LUN online system first
- If eligible, schedule Wednesday appointment
- Bring stamped permit documents to site
- Expedited review timeline
Recommendation: Contact Loudoun I&P to confirm salon suites qualify for EZ Tenant Permit before submitting. If not eligible, standard TI permit process applies (~10 business days per review cycle).
3. Required Documents Checklist
For Zoning Certificate of Use (ZCU)
- Property address and PIN (Parcel Identification Number)
- Business description (salon suites facility, booth rental model)
- Lease agreement (draft acceptable for initial application)
- Site plan showing parking (verify 4-5 spaces per 1,000 sq ft)
- Owner/landlord information
- Proposed hours of operation
Submission: Online via Land Use Navigator (LUN) System Contact: Office of Planning & Zoning (703) 777-0246
For Tenant Improvement Permit
- Construction plans (to scale, single PDF)
- Floor plan showing suite layout (18 suites)
- Electrical plan (2x 20A per suite)
- Plumbing plan (10 shampoo bowl locations)
- HVAC plan (ventilation, fresh air)
- ADA compliance details
- Site/parking plan (engineer scale)
- Tenant name and suite numbers
- Landlord authorization letter
- Contractor license information (verify VA DPOR Class A/B/C license)
- Scope of work description
- Cost estimate for permit fee calculation
Required Plan Details:
- Suite walls: STC 48-52 assembly specification
- Electrical: 2x 20A dedicated circuits per suite (36 circuits minimum)
- Plumbing: 10 shampoo bowls (Plus tier and above)
- HVAC: 15-45 CFM fresh air per suite per occupancy
- Lighting: CRI 90+, 50 fc at workstation
Submission: Online via LUN System (mandatory since Dec 2025) Contact: Loudoun County Building & Development (703) 777-0220
For Fire Marshal Review
- Floor plan showing:
- Exit locations and paths
- Fire extinguisher locations (within 75 ft travel distance)
- Emergency lighting locations
- Exit sign locations
- Sprinkler system documentation (if building has existing system)
- Emergency lighting plan
- Occupancy load calculation
- Standard: 1 person per 100 sq ft (net occupiable)
- 3,500 sf facility: ~35 persons maximum occupancy
- Fire alarm system documentation (if applicable)
Fire Extinguisher Requirements:
- ABC-rated extinguishers
- Maximum 75 ft travel distance to nearest extinguisher
- Mount with top no more than 5 ft from floor
- Estimate: 8 extinguishers for 3,500 sf facility
Contact: Loudoun County Fire Marshal (703) 737-8600
For Salon Permit (After CO)
Prerequisites (must have BEFORE applying):
- Certificate of Occupancy from county
- Zoning Certificate of Use (ZCU)
- Proof of facility insurance ($1M GL minimum)
Application Documents:
- Completed Salon Permit Application Form
- Copy of Certificate of Occupancy
- Copy of ZCU
- Floor plan showing:
- Suite layout with dimensions
- Shampoo/wet station locations
- Storage areas
- Application fee payment ($225)
- Proof of insurance (facility as owner)
Post-Application:
- Schedule Board pre-opening inspection
- Prepare each suite with:
- Wet sanitizer with EPA-registered disinfectant
- Closed dry cabinet for implements
- Hot and cold running water access
Contact: Virginia DPOR (804) 367-8500
4. Submission Sequence (Critical Path)
WEEK 0 āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā
ā
āāā Apply for ZCU (Planning & Zoning)
ā āāā Online via LUN system
ā āāā ~4 weeks processing
ā
āāā Finalize construction plans with architect
ā
WEEK 2 āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā
ā
āāā Submit TI Permit (LUN online)
ā āāā Can parallel with ZCU (doesn't require ZCU approval first)
ā āāā ~10 business days first review
ā
āāā Place China equipment orders (45+ day lead time)
ā
WEEK 4 āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā
ā
āāā ZCU APPROVED (Critical milestone)
ā āāā Required before Salon Permit application
ā
āāā Address TI plan check comments (if any)
ā āāā Resubmittal: additional ~10 business days
ā
WEEK 4-6 āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā
ā
āāā TI Permit APPROVED
ā āāā Post permit at job site
ā
WEEK 6 āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā
ā
āāā Construction BEGINS
ā āāā Demolition, framing, rough MEP
ā
WEEK 6-16 āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā
ā
āāā Construction continues (10-12 weeks)
ā āāā Weekly site visits recommended
ā
WEEK 16-18 āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā
ā
āāā Request trade inspections
ā āāā Electrical, plumbing, mechanical
ā
āāā Request Fire Marshal final inspection
ā
āāā Request Building final inspection
ā
WEEK 18 āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā
ā
āāā CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY ISSUED
ā āāā All inspections passed
ā
āāā Apply for Salon Permit (Board of Cosmetology)
ā āāā $225 application fee
ā
āāā Apply for Business License (if required)
ā āāā $15-$50
ā
WEEK 20-22 āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā
ā
āāā Board pre-opening inspection
ā
āāā SALON PERMIT RECEIVED
ā
āāā OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Total Timeline: 20-22 weeks from permit applications to opening
Critical Path Items:
- ZCU (~4 weeks) - Start FIRST, required for Salon Permit
- TI Permit (~2-4 weeks) - Required before construction
- Construction (~10-12 weeks) - Depends on TI Permit
- Salon Permit (~2-4 weeks) - Depends on CO and ZCU
5. Contact Directory
| Agency | Phone | Website/Email | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loudoun Building & Development | (703) 777-0220 | loudoun.gov/building | M-F 8:30am-5pm |
| Office of Planning & Zoning | (703) 777-0246 | loudoun.gov/planning | M-F 8:30am-5pm |
| Loudoun County Fire Marshal | (703) 737-8600 | loudoun.gov/firemarshal | M-F 8:30am-5pm |
| Virginia DPOR (Cosmetology) | (804) 367-8500 | dpor.virginia.gov | M-F 8:15am-5pm |
| Zoning Administration | (703) 777-0246 | - | M-F 8:30am-5pm |
Online Systems:
- Land Use Navigator (LUN): loudoun.gov/lun (permit applications)
- Virginia SCC: scc.virginia.gov (LLC filings) / Virginia Tax: tax.virginia.gov (tax registration)
6. Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Pitfall 1: Starting Construction Before Permit Issued
Risk: Stop-work order, fines, required demolition of unpermitted work Prevention:
- Never start construction until permit is posted on site
- Verify permit number with I&P if uncertain
- Include permit timeline in contractor contract
Pitfall 2: Missing Fire Marshal Coordination
Risk: Failed final inspection, delayed CO, extended carrying costs Prevention:
- Contact Fire Marshal early in design phase
- Submit fire safety documentation with TI permit
- Schedule Fire Marshal inspection concurrent with trade inspections
Pitfall 3: Applying for Salon Permit Before ZCU
Risk: Application rejected, time wasted, delayed opening Prevention:
- ZCU is prerequisite for Salon Permit - no exceptions
- Apply for ZCU at Week 0, not after construction
- Keep copy of approved ZCU for Salon Permit application
Pitfall 4: Incomplete Plan Submissions
Risk: Plan check comments, resubmittal cycles, 2-4 week delays per cycle Prevention:
- Use architect experienced with commercial salon build-outs
- Include ALL required elements in first submission
- Reference Loudoun submittal checklist before submitting
Pitfall 5: Underestimating Permit Timeline
Risk: Construction delays, carrying costs, missed opening targets Prevention:
- Budget 6 weeks minimum for permits (not 2-3)
- Have contractor on standby, not locked into hard start date
- Build 2-week buffer into project schedule
Pitfall 6: Verbal Agreements on Scope Changes
Risk: Budget overruns, disputes, unpermitted work Prevention:
- All changes in writing before work begins
- Scope changes may require permit amendment
- Contact I&P if unsure whether change needs permit modification
7. Permit Tracking Template
Use this template to track permit status throughout the project:
| Permit | Application Date | Status | Approval Date | Expiration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZCU | //2026 | [ ] Submitted [ ] In Review [ ] Approved [ ] Denied | //2026 | N/A | |
| TI Permit | //2026 | [ ] Submitted [ ] In Review [ ] Comments [ ] Approved | //2026 | 180 days from issue | |
| Fire Marshal | //2026 | [ ] Submitted [ ] Inspection Scheduled [ ] Passed | //2026 | With CO | |
| CO | //2026 | [ ] Requested [ ] Inspection Scheduled [ ] Issued | //2026 | N/A | |
| Salon Permit | //2026 | [ ] Submitted [ ] Inspection Scheduled [ ] Approved | //2026 | 2 years | |
| Business License | //2026 | [ ] Submitted [ ] Approved | //2026 | Annual |
Inspection Schedule:
| Inspection Type | Requested Date | Scheduled Date | Result | Inspector | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rough Electrical | //2026 | //2026 | [ ] Pass [ ] Fail | ||
| Rough Plumbing | //2026 | //2026 | [ ] Pass [ ] Fail | ||
| Rough Mechanical | //2026 | //2026 | [ ] Pass [ ] Fail | ||
| Drywall (before cover) | //2026 | //2026 | [ ] Pass [ ] Fail | ||
| Fire Marshal | //2026 | //2026 | [ ] Pass [ ] Fail | ||
| Final Electrical | //2026 | //2026 | [ ] Pass [ ] Fail | ||
| Final Plumbing | //2026 | //2026 | [ ] Pass [ ] Fail | ||
| Final Building | //2026 | //2026 | [ ] Pass [ ] Fail | ||
| Board of Cosmetology | //2026 | //2026 | [ ] Pass [ ] Fail |
8. Pre-Inspection Checklists
Before Rough Inspections
- All wiring in place, not energized
- Electrical boxes installed, circuits labeled
- Plumbing rough-in complete, water off
- HVAC ducts installed, not operational
- Permit posted and visible
Before Drywall Inspection
- Insulation installed per spec (R-13 minimum)
- First layer drywall installed (STC assembly)
- Acoustic sealant applied at perimeter
- Electrical/plumbing passed rough inspection
Before Fire Marshal Final
- Fire extinguishers installed (8 minimum)
- Exit signs illuminated with backup power
- Emergency lighting operational
- Exit paths clear and marked
- Occupancy load posted (if 50+ persons)
Before Building Final / CO
- All trade inspections passed
- Fire Marshal inspection passed
- Finishes complete (flooring, paint, fixtures)
- ADA compliance verified
- Address numbers visible from street
Before Board of Cosmetology Inspection
- Certificate of Occupancy received
- Each suite has wet sanitizer with EPA disinfectant
- Each suite has closed dry cabinet
- Hot and cold water operational
- Lighting adequate (CRI 90+, 50 fc)
- HVAC operational
- Facility clean and ready for operation
Permit Checklist Complete - Phase 09-02 Task 1
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