Residential Building Permits
A building permit is required to build or alter a residential structure.
Construction or alteration of a residential structure requiring permits include cutting away any wall, partition, or portion of the building; the removal or cutting of any structural beam; the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of the structure affecting the egress requirements.
Change of use Alterations
- Bow or bay windows alterations
- Converting garage space / screened in porches to living space
- Foundation repairs
- Replacing windows or exterior doors if frames or jams are altered
- Roofing or siding replacements
Construction of Additions
- Carports and garages (attached / detached)
- Room additions
- Screened in porches
Other Structures and Alterations
- Chimneys
- Decks
- Detached structures (gazebos, sheds greater than 256 square feet, storage buildings, trellises, etc.),
- Driveways/driveway aprons
- Fences
- Hot tubs/spas (capable of holding at least 24 inches of water)
- Pool installations, in-ground and above-ground (capable of holding at least 24 inches of water)
- Portable buildings or classrooms
- Trailers/mobile homes
- Waterfront construction (bulkheads, piers, boat lifts, rip rap, etc.). Structures in the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA) or Southern Watershed Area may require permits, regardless of size.
Demolition or removal of a structure and moving a lot line that affects an existing structure also require permits.
Scheduling Residential Building Inspections
Inspections are scheduled through Permits & Inspections online permitting service, which allows contractors and homeowners to schedule, cancel or reschedule inspections. Relevant information and inspection results can also be reviewed. The system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Inspections can be scheduled up to five working days in advance of the desired inspection date; however, they must be scheduled PRIOR to 8 a.m. for the day desired. All inspections scheduled after 8 a.m. will not be available for a same-day inspection. Schedule inspections no later than 7 a.m. the day the inspection is desired to assure the information will be recorded in time.
After an inspection has been scheduled, inspectors may be contacted between 8 and 9 a.m. the day of the inspection. The inspectors will arrange their daily work schedules and do not know what inspections have been requested prior to the inspection date.
Per the Virginia Construction Code Chapter 1, the minimum required inspections for the various types of work are listed below. However, this is a generic list and may not be applicable to, or inclusive of, all situations.
It is the permit holder’s responsibility to supply a ladder or other means if access to the attic or roof is required to make the inspection. VCC Chapter 1.
It is the permit holder’s responsibility to schedule the required inspections at the appropriate stage of construction. VCC Chapter 1.
When Residential Building Inspections are Required
Building
Setback/Footing
Slab/Foundation
Framing/Insulation
Final
Building
New Buildings / Additions / Storage
Setback/Footing
X
Slab/Foundation
X
Framing/Insulation
X
Final
X
Building
Interior Alterations / Construction on Existing
Framing/Insulation
X
Final
X
Building
Siding / EIFS / Roofing / Fences
Final
X
Building
Construction Trailer
Final
X
Building
Garages / Sheds over 256 Square Feet
Setback/Footing
X
Framing/Insulation
X
Final
X
Building
Above-Ground Pools
Final
X
Building
In-Ground Pools
Setback/Footing
X
Final
X
Building
Decks / Screened-in Porches:
Setback/Footing
X
Slab/Foundation
X
Framing/Insulation
X
Final
X
Building
Trailers / Mobile Homes
Setback/Footing
X
Final
X
This list may not be applicable to, or inclusive of, all situations.
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