Service Areas
Where we work
Residential renovations, additions, and commercial build-outs in Washington, DC, five Maryland counties, and Northern Virginia. Each jurisdiction runs its own permit office; the official links are below.
Permits are pulled by the contractor or design professional on your project, not by Hawthorne Mason.
Washington, DC
Residential renovations and additions across the District's neighborhoods, from rowhouses to detached homes, plus office, retail, and restaurant build-outs downtown.
Washington, DC
Permit office: DC Department of Buildings (DOB)
Permit applications are filed through DOB's Citizen Access Portal.
In historic districts, preservation review is part of the building permit rather than a separate application. See our historic district guide.
Our DC renovation permit guide covers what needs a permit and published review times.
Maryland
Montgomery, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Howard, and Charles Counties. Home improvement contractors working in Maryland must be licensed by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission.
Montgomery County
Permit office: Department of Permitting Services
The county offers a Residential Fast Track process for some residential permits. Our Montgomery County permit guide explains it.
Prince George's County
Permit office: Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE)
See our Prince George's County permit guide, including the same-day Virtual Walk-Through for homeowners and city permits in Bowie and College Park.
Anne Arundel County
Permit office: Department of Inspections and Permits
The City of Annapolis issues its own permits. See our Anne Arundel County permit guide.
Howard County
Permit office: Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits
See our Howard County permit guide.
Charles County
Permit office: Planning and Growth Management, Codes, Permits and Inspection Services
Northern Virginia
Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties and the Cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas, and Manassas Park. Contractors working in Virginia are licensed by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Arlington County
Permit office: Inspection Services Division (Permit Arlington)
See our Arlington County permit guide.
Fairfax County
Permit office: Land Development Services
See our Fairfax County permit guide.
Loudoun County
Permit office: Department of Building and Development
Building permits for Leesburg and the other incorporated towns also come from the county, after town zoning approval. See our Loudoun County permit guide.
Prince William County
Permit office: Department of Development Services
The county's permit office does not serve the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park or the Town of Dumfries (areas served). The two cities have their own permit offices, listed below.
City of Alexandria
Permit office: Department of Code Administration, Permit Center
See our Alexandria permit guide, including Board of Architectural Review approval in Old Town and Parker-Gray.
City of Falls Church
Permit office: Department of Code Administration, Permits
City of Fairfax
Permit office: Code Administration
City of Manassas
Permit office: Building and trade permits
City of Manassas Park
Permit office: Building permits and inspections
Before you hire, read how to check a contractor’s license in DC, Maryland, and Virginia and our renovation cost guide.