Do I need a permit to hang drywall in Arlington Virgina?

Question

All Im doing is taking down panels and replacing it with Drywall. I'm not moving any outlets, messing with any wires or the structure of the room.

Answer 1

No

Answer 2

Here's what the county website says:

Building Permit

All structural work requires a permit from the Inspection Services Division except construction of a storage shed (of less than 150 square feet), tents of less than 900 square feet , construction of a patio flat on the ground, residential cabinets, backyard recreational play equipment or the installation of gutters. A temporary building permit may be issued at the discretion of the building official.

Answer 3

most states you only need a permit if you change the structure like removing a support wall etc, if your just taking paneling off to put sheet rock in its place

and are not changing any of the original structure and are not moving electrical

stuff you don't need a permit for it but if you remove a support beam or support wall studs etc then you will need a city inspector

but your swap don't sound like you need it you can check with building codes

at your cities building inspector  

Answer 4

I live in Fairfax city right next to you.

I think if you are disturbing the wiring, then  it is required .

However,

Why would you bother with the permits since no one can see inside to find out if you are working on the walls?

I know that you need to make sure you are doing things right and that's why the permits are necessary supposedly.

But they like to raise your taxes every time you make an improvement so you got to consider that too.

If you are worried about it you can go to your city's web site and they usually have a section that outlines permits and such.

Answer 5

You would have to check with the county building department.

If you do a professional job nobody will know the difference. If you do a bad job and try to sell the house some day it could become an issue as someone could check to see if a permit was issued and when they don't find one could force you to tear it all down and start over.

This is all assuming that you need on in the first place.