Loudoun County issues every building and zoning permit in Ashburn. Apply in LandMARC or call Building and Development at 703-777-0220.

Last checked Oct. 18, 2026. Sources: Loudoun County Building and Development, Permitting, Planning and Zoning and the Planning Commission.

Ashburn has no town government, so Loudoun County approves every project here. The county’s Department of Building and Development issues building permits, grading permits and, outside the incorporated towns, zoning permits. Your HOA usually has its own approval too, and the county says getting it is your job.

Who to call

  • Building and Development (permits, inspections, setbacks): 703-777-0220; option 1 for building code and inspections, option 2 for setbacks
  • Planning and Zoning (zoning questions, rezonings): 703-777-0246
  • Report a zoning violation: 703-777-0103 or Loudoun Express Request
  • Before you dig: Miss Utility, 811 or 800-552-7001, at least 48 hours ahead
  • Permit counters: Government Center, 1 Harrison St. SE, Leesburg, second floor, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays

How to apply

All online applications go through LandMARC, the county’s permit system; you need an account. You can also apply in person at the Government Center in Leesburg. Check a permit’s status with the county’s online inquiry form. Fees are set in the county’s fee schedules.

Inspections are booked in LandMARC for the next workday or later, not weekends or county holidays. The cutoff for next-day inspections is midnight.

The county posts processing times on its residential permits dashboard.

Common home projects

Project What you need
Deck Building and zoning permit, plat of the property, and plans or the county’s Typical Deck Detail
Shed under 256 sq. ft. Zoning-only permit
Shed over 256 sq. ft. Building permit (residential miscellaneous structure)
Finished basement Building permit
Pool Building permit
Addition or alteration Building and zoning permit
Solar panels Building and zoning permit, plus an electrical permit
Home business Home occupation permit
Short-term rental Free annual registration by July 1, plus a zoning permit

Decks. The Typical Deck Detail can stand in for drawings only for a single-level residential deck attached to the house, with joist overhangs of 2 feet or less and no roof, screen porch or hot tub. Anything else needs a full set of plans.

Sheds. With a single-family home, most one-story sheds can go up to, but not within, 5 feet of the rear and side property lines. A grading permit is also needed if you disturb more than 5,000 square feet.

Setbacks. Not sure how close you can build? Call 703-777-0220, option 2, or use the county’s locational clearance mapper to draw a plat.

Zoning: what can be built where

Your zoning district sets what is allowed on your lot. Look it up on the county’s WebLogis map or ask Planning and Zoning. The rules are in the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The county also issues formal zoning determinations for a fee.

To follow a rezoning or special exception near you, search the Loudoun Online Land Applications System. You can comment on an application there.

Data centers. Ashburn sits in what the county calls the world’s largest concentration of data centers. On March 18, 2025, the Board of Supervisors made data centers a conditional use that needs a special exception, ending by-right approval. A second phase is writing standards for data centers and utility substations. The county’s map of existing and proposed data centers shows what is planned near you. High-voltage transmission lines are approved by the State Corporation Commission, not the county.

Who decides

  • Planning Commission. Recommends on rezonings, the comprehensive plan and zoning amendments. Public hearings are at 6 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month, and work sessions at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday, in the Board Room at the Government Center in Leesburg. The Ashburn District member is Eric Combs. Sign up to speak online.
  • Board of Supervisors. Makes the final decision on rezonings and special exceptions. See our who to call guide.
  • Board of Zoning Appeals. Hears variances, appeals of the zoning administrator and setback encroachments. Members are appointed by the Circuit Court. Dates are on the county calendar; contact 703-777-0246.

Meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 1075 and Verizon Fios channel 40 and stream at loudoun.gov/meetings.

What this means for you

Planning a deck, shed or basement? Get HOA approval, pull the plat, then apply in LandMARC. Building without a permit can mean tearing work out later. For the bigger picture, our property tax guide and who to call guide cover the rest of county government.

Frequently asked questions

Who issues building permits in Ashburn, Virginia?

Loudoun County’s Department of Building and Development. Ashburn is unincorporated, so the county issues both the building permit and the zoning permit. Call 703-777-0220.

Do I need a permit for a deck in Loudoun County?

Yes. Every deck needs a building permit and a zoning permit, plus a plat showing the deck and its distances from the property lines.

Do I need a permit for a shed in Ashburn?

Yes. A shed under 256 square feet needs a zoning-only permit; a larger shed needs a building permit too. Most one-story sheds must stay at least 5 feet from the rear and side lines.

How do I find my zoning in Loudoun County?

Look up your address on the county’s WebLogis map or call Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246.

Are data centers allowed by right in Loudoun County?

No longer. Since March 18, 2025, a data center needs a special exception approved by the Board of Supervisors.