After reading the online permitting instructions and you still have questions concerning our new system, please feel free to contact the Permits and Inspections Office between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.
Below are All Permits & Inspections frequently asked questions. Scroll down to find the answers. If your questions are not listed, please contact our division at (757) 385-4211.
How long is a permit valid?...
When is a permit NOT required?...
Who should obtain the Permit, the Property Owner or Contractor?...
How does a Contractor register with Permits and Inspections in order to obtain Permits?...
Does the City have building plans or copies of the survey or site plan of a property?...
How can a Certificate of Occupancy be obtained?...
What Codes do the City of Virginia Beach use for Inspections?...
How long is a permit valid?...
Why can't I schedule the inspections I need?
Why can't I pay for my Temporary construction Release for power online?
Will I be able to pay for a re-inspection or stop work order fee online?
Can I still come into the office and receive a permit?
How long is a permit valid?...
A permit is valid for 6 months from the date it was issued. Any permit which requires multiple inspections (i.e. new construction, building addition, etc.) is automatically renewed for 6 months after each inspection. If more time is needed to complete work on a permit, an extension may be requested by writing to Permits and Inspections.
When is a permit NOT required?...
- Installation of wiring and equipment which operates at less than 50 volts (commercial installation: provided it is not located in a non-combustible plenum or penetrating a fire wall)
- Construction of detached sheds less than 200 square feet of building area and requiring no electrical wiring or equipment. (All sheds are required to be anchored down and meet zoning setback requirements)
- Swing sets
- Tents and air-supported structures that cover an area of 900 square feet or less
- Trim and soffit work
- Ordinary repairs
- Fire protection: ordinary repairs or direct replacement of minor components with like equipment
(A report of repair or replacement is required to be kept on the premises and available for inspection upon request)
Like-for Like Replacement of:
- Residential plumbing and electrical fixtures, fixture fittings, or appliances
(including electrical water heaters)
- Residential fans, humidifiers, air cleaners and similar mechanical equipment
- Windows and doors with those of similar capacity in the same location in one and two family dwellings, townhouses, apartments and condominiums
Who should obtain the Permit, the Property Owner or Contractor?...
Residential:
If a contractor is performing the work on a property, it is highly recommended that the contractor obtain the permit. Whoever obtains the permit is responsible for all work performed under that permit and is responsible to schedule all required inspections.
If property owners are performing the work by themselves, or with assistance, then they are responsible to obtain the permit and schedule all required inspections.
Property owners may obtain the building permit to construct a new house for their own occupancy. However, only one (1) house may be built by a property owner in a 24-month period. A State Contractor's License is required to build more than one house in a 24-month period.
Commercial:
A registered contractor is required to perform all work on a commercial property and is required to obtain the permit and schedule all required inspections. In some cases, a property owner or tenant may be allowed to obtain the permit if approved by this office.
How does a Contractor register with Permits and Inspections in order to obtain Permits?...
- Provide a copy of the Class A, B or C State Contractor's License
- Provide a copy of the Master Tradesman cards for everyone in the company who is authorized to sign permit applications as a Master for that trade
- Provide a copy of a Business License
If the company is based in Virginia Beach, a Virginia Beach Business License is required. If the company is based outside of Virginia Beach, permits may be obtained if there is a business license for another Virginia municipality (i.e. Norfolk, Fairfax, Richmond, Chesapeake, etc.); however, if more than $25,000 worth of business is conducted in Virginia Beach in a calendar year, a Virginia Beach Business License is required.
The company name is required to be listed the same on both the Business License and State Contractor's License (i.e. on Business License listed as: ABC Inc. and on State License listed as: ABC Inc. trading as XYZ Inc.)
A State Contractor's License has limitations on contract values:
| Class A: |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
| Class B: |
$120,000 |
$750,000 |
| Class C: |
$9,999 |
$150,000 |
Additionally, permits may only be obtained for those classifications which are listed on the State Contractor's License AND for which the company has a Master Tradesman
(if applicable).
Various Classifications which are needed to Obtain Permits:
(Those in italics must be on Contractor's License AND Tradesman License)
| BLD |
Building |
HIC |
Home Improvement |
| CIC |
Commercial Improvement |
HVA |
AC/Mechanical |
| EEC |
Elevator/Escalator |
ISC |
Landscape Irrigation |
| ELE |
Electrical |
MCC |
Marine Facility |
| FSP |
Fire Suppression |
PLB |
Plumbing |
| GFC |
Gas Fitting |
REF |
Refrigeration |
| H/H |
Highway/Heavy |
SPR |
Fire Sprinkler |
Exceptions:
If only performing small repairs and similar jobs with contract values less than $1,000.00 (labor AND materials), permits may be obtained with the following information...
- Copy of the Master Tradesman cards for everyone in the company who is authorized to sign permit applications as a Master for that trade
- Copy of a signed contract with the customer showing that they are being charged less than $1,000.00; this does not have to be a formal document (a receipt from an invoice pad meeting these requirements is sufficient)
- Copy of a Business License
When registering with Permits and Inspections, a number will be assigned for the company on the contractor system. Use this number for reference when applying for permits.
A State Contractor's License is renewed every 2 years, and a city Business License is renewed each year. When receiving these updated licenses, copies should be provided to Permits and Inspections so that all records are current. This will help prevent possible delays when submitting applications for permits.
Does the City have building plans or copies of the survey or site plan of a property?...
Building plans and a site plan or survey of the property must be submitted to obtain permits for: residential new construction, additions, garages, sheds, decks, fences, pools and driveways; commercial new construction, additions, fences, decks and alterations. These building plans and site plans / surveys are kept on file during construction. Building plans are copyrighted, and therefore, are public information for viewing purposes only. Plans are the property of the City of Virginia Beach, the architect / engineer of record, and the contractor.
After the final inspection of the construction, the files are sent to storage. Three years after the date of final inspection, these records are destroyed in accordance with the Commonwealth of Virginia Library of Records policies. This office will only have building plans, site plans or surveys on file if they were submitted for a permit, and if they were submitted within the last 3 years.
How can a Certificate of Occupancy be obtained?...
New Construction/Additions/Alterations:
Residential:
A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) fee of $35.00 is usually included in the building permit fee. A CO is automatically generated upon the approval of all final inspections, and any other issues (i.e. approval from the Health Department, etc.) have all been submitted to the Permits & Inspections office. If the building permit is in the general contractor's name, a copy of the CO is automatically faxed to the general contractor's office. If the building permit is in the owner's name, and the owner's fax number is not on file, a copy of the CO may be requested from the office.
Commercial:
A CO fee of $35.00 is usually included in the building permit fee. Once all final inspections have been completed and any other issues (i.e. Civil Inspections approval, Public Utilities approval, Health Department approval, report of final Special Inspections, EIFS report, etc.) have all been submitted to this office, a CO may be requested from the office.
Existing Structures (Commercial): If there has been no change of use or tenant within past 3 years: $66.30. Commercial building application, parking plan, and tenant space layout required.
**New tenants and changes of use require plan review and standard permits to be issued by counter personnel.
What Codes do the City of Virginia Beach use for Inspections?...
Section 8-26 of the Code of the City of Virginia Beach adopts the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). The current code books adopted by the USBC are:
Building:
2009 International Commercial Code (ICC)
2009 International Residential Code
Electrical:
2008 National Electrical Code (NEC)
Mechanical:
2009 International Mechanical Code
Plumbing:
2009 International Plumbing Code
Copies of these code books are available as a reference at Virginia Beach Public Libraries.
Why can't I schedule the inspections I need?
Once you have applied for access to the Permits and Inspections Online Permitting and Inspection System, you will receive an e-mail stating that we have received information regarding your new login account. This office will then attach your User ID and Password to your Contractor’s License (or Property address if you are a homeowner); you will receive another e-mail stating that you are attached to our Permitting System. You are then able to schedule your inspections and any future inspection requests. For further detailed information please check the online user guide subject "Register for an Account".
Why can't I pay for my Temporary construction Release for power online?
A Temporary Construction Release cannot automatically be approved. Additional research by the office and a signature from the applicant agreeing to certain stipulations regarding the temporary release is required before a release can be performed.
Will I be able to pay for a re-inspection or stop work order fee online?
Yes, re-inspection fees and stop work order fees can be paid online
Can I still come into the office and receive a permit?
Yes, Permits can still be obtained in the office as well as some online permits. All structural permits and permits that require a site plan require for customers to still come into the office.