Below are Mechanical Permits frequently asked questions. Scroll down to find the answers. If your questions are not listed, please contact our division at (757) 385-4211.
When is a mechanical permit required?
What is required to obtain a mechanical permit?
How much does a mechanical permit cost?
When are mechanical inspections required?
How are mechanical inspections scheduled?
When is a mechanical permit required?
A mechanical permit is required for . . .
Residential (New Installation):
Heat Pumps (air to air, water to air)
Furnaces/Boilers/Water Heaters (electric, oil, gas)
Any fuel fired appliance (oil or gas)
Ventilation Systems, Duct Work, HVAC Equipment
Wood Stoves/Fireplace Inserts
Heat pump new location or not direct replacement all duct work
Backflow Preventers (Testable)
A mechanical permit is required for . . .
Commercial (New or Replacement):Heat Pumps(air to air, water to air)
Furnaces/Boilers/Water Heaters (electric, oil, gas)
Any fuel fired appliance (oil or gas)
Ventilation Systems, Duct Work, HVAC Equipment
Wood Stoves/Fireplace Inserts
Heat pump new location or not direct replacement all duct work
Backflow Preventers (Testable)
What is required to obtain a mechanical permit?
To obtain mechanical permits . . .
- Mechanical Permit Application completed with the following information:
- If a mechanical contractor: Class A, B or C State Contractor's Registration number, company name, contract value, registered Master Tradesman's signature, name of the customer/homeowner/tenant, physical address of the property where the work is being performed, and if there is another associated permit at the same address, that permit number
- If an owner: name, address, approximate cost of materials (enter this in the contract value), signature, and if there is another associated permit at the same address, that permit number
- For new, existing, addition, or moved gas work
- Indicate type of equipment: new, replacement or conversion
- Indicate the number of mechanical units to be installed and/or gas appliances and if applicable the type of backflow preventer
How much does a mechanical permit cost?
- A 2.0% levy is assessed on the total permit fees (rounded up)
- Heat pumps (air to air, water to air), wood stoves, furnaces (electric, oil), HVAC, duct work /ventilation, range hoods, boilers (electric, oil), backflow preventers, walk-in freezers, refrigeration: $30.00 plus $5.00 per $1,000.00 value or fraction thereafter, without limit, rounded up (i.e. $1,500: 2,000 ÷ 1,000 = 2; 2 x $5 = $10, + $30 = $40.00 + 2.0% ($.80) = $40.80)
- All gas appliances will be indicated on the mechanical permit and be based on value.
When are mechanical inspections required?
| New Construction/Additions* |
x |
x |
| Existing Building, New Unit - Residential: New or Replacement Unit - Commercial: (i.e. A/C, heat pump, water heater, furnace, boiler, fireplace, etc.) |
|
x |
* Mechanical inspections on residential new construction/additions are conducted at the same time as the building framing and final inspections.
How are mechanical inspections scheduled?
Scheduling Building, Electrical, Gas, Mechanical, Plumbing Inspections:
The inspections are scheduled through Permits and Inspections Online Permitting Service which allows contractors and homeowners to schedule inspections, cancel inspections or reschedule inspections. Comments can be entered regarding ie. an approximate time or any relevant information concerning the inspection. Additionally, inspection results and release information are available. This system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Inspections may be scheduled up to 5 working days in advance of the desired inspection date. However, inspections must be scheduled PRIOR to 8:00 am the day the inspection is desired. All inspections scheduled after 8:00 am will not be available for a same day inspection. It is recommended to schedule inspections no later than 7:45 am the day the inspection is desired to assure the information will be recorded in time.
After an inspection has been scheduled using the Permits and Inspections Online Permitting Service scheduling system, inspectors may be contacted between 8:00 am - 9:00 am 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.