Building (Commercial) - Permits & Inspections How are commercial building inspections scheduled?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. 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 7:00 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.How to obtain a commercial building permit?To obtain a permit for... New Commercial Construction:2 copies of the site plan which has been approved for location of the construction by the Zoning Office and the Development Services Center (DSC); the site plan should include an address assigned by the Planning DepartmentReceipt from Public Utilities showing that all water and sewer tap fees and Drain Fixture Unit (DFU) fees have been paid. If the house is being constructed in an area where City water and sewer are not available, an exemption letter from Public Utilities should be obtained.If the building will be serviced by a well and / or septic system, preliminary approval from the Health Department indicating the locations of the well and septic fieldsOther Health Department approval, if applicable (i.e. restaurants, hair salons, etc.)Approval from the Zoning Division for the business use at that locationBuilding Permit Application completed with the following information:General contractor's State Registration number, company name, address and phone number, name of customer / customer's business, and signature of a designated employee (if general contractor is obtaining the permit)Property owner's name, current address, phone number and signature (if owner is obtaining the permit)Physical address of the new building, including 3-digit suite numbers (as designated by the property owner, when applicable)Cost of construction for the building minus the electrical, fire, gas, mechanical, plumbing, and land costsSize of the structure in square feetConstruction type(s) and use group(s) To obtain a permit for . . . Commercial Additions:2 copies of the site plan which has been approved for location of the construction by the Zoning Office and the Development Services Center (DSC)Receipt from Public Utilities showing that all water and sewer tap fees and Drain Fixture Unit(DFU) fees have been paid. If the house is being constructed in an area where City water and sewer are not available, an exemption letter from Public Utilities should be obtained.If the building will be serviced by a well and / or septic system, preliminary approval from the Health Department indicating the locations of the well and septic fieldsOther Health Department approval, if applicable (i.e. restaurants, hair salons, etc.)If the building was constructed prior to 1985, a letter of asbestos certification by a registered asbestos abatement companyBuilding Permit Application completed with the following information:General contractor's Class A, B or C State Registration number, company name, address and phone number, name of customer / customer's business, signature of a designated employee, and if there is another associated permit at the same address, that permit number (if general contractor is obtaining the permit)Property owner's name, current address, phone number, signature, and if there is another associated permit at the same address, that permit number (if owner is obtaining the permit)Physical address of the new building, including 3-digit suite numbers (as designated by the property owner, when applicable)Cost of construction minus the electrical, fire, gas, mechanical and plumbing costsSize of the structure in square feetConstruction type(s) and use group(s) To obtain a permit for . . . Commercial Alterations:Floor plan including wall sections, egress signs and distancesReceipt from Public Utilities showing that all water and sewer tap fees and Drain Fixture Unit (DFU) fees have been paid for any new plumbing fixtures. If the house is being constructed in an area where City water and sewer are not available, an exemption letter from Public Utilities should be obtained.Health Department approval, if applicable (i.e. for restaurants, hair salons, etc.)Approval from the Zoning Division for the business use at that locationIf the building was constructed prior to 1985, a letter of asbestos certification by a registered asbestos abatement companyBuilding Permit Application completed with the following information:General contractor's Class A, B or C State Registration number, company name, address and phone number, name of customer / customer's business, signature of a designated employee, and if there is another associated permit at the same address, that permit number (if general contractor is obtaining the permit)Property owner's name, current address, phone number, signature, and if there is another associated permit at the same address, that permit number (if owner is obtaining the permit)Physical address of the new building, including 3-digit suite numbers (as designated by the property owner, when applicable)Cost of construction minus the electrical, fire, gas, mechanical, and plumbing costsConstruction type(s) and use group(s)What information is required for review of commercial building plans?Information Required for Review of Commercial Building PlansA $200.00 plan review depositA cover letter with contact person's name, address, phone and fax number (This will be the person to whom all correspondence will be sent.)2 copies of the complete signed and sealed architectural plans, structural plans and material specifications of all workIn addition, the following specifications, drawings and details should be submitted:A site plan including the following information:Size and location of all new construction and all existing structures on the siteDistances from lot linesEstablished street grades and proposed finished gradesArchitectural plans and specifications to include:Description of uses and the proposed use group(s) for all portions of the buildingThe design approach for mixed-uses (as applicable)Proposed type of construction of the buildingFully dimensioned drawings to determine areas and building heightAccurate details and dimensions to evaluate means of egress, including occupant loads for each floor, exit arrangement and sizes, corridors, stairs, doors, etc.Exit signs / means of egress lighting, including power supplyAccessibility provisionsDescription and details of proposed special occupancies, such as a covered mall, high-rise, mezzanine, atrium, public garage, etc.Accurate details to evaluate fire-resistive construction requirements, including data substantiating required ratingsDetails of plastic, insulation and safety glazing installationDetails of required fire protection systemsStructural plans, specifications and engineering details to include:Soils report indicating the soil type and recommended allowable bearing pressure and foundation typeLocal design load criteria, including frost depthWind load design criteria and exposureDetails of foundations and superstructureProvisions for required special inspectionsApplicable construction standards and material specifications (i.e. masonry, concrete, wood, steel, etc.)When are commercial building inspections required? The usual 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. Building SETBACK/ FOOTINGSLAB/ FOUNDATIONFRAMING/ INSULATIONFINAL New Buildings/Additions/Storage:x x x x Interior Alterations/Construction on Existing x x Foundations/Windows:x Siding/EIFS/Roofing/Fences:x Construction Trailer:x Garages/Sheds over 256 Square Feet:x x Above-Ground Pools:x x In-Ground Pools:Decks/Screened-in Porches:x Trailers/Mobile Homes:x BUILDING SETBACK/ FOOTINGSLAB/ FOUNDATIONFRAMING/ INSULATIONFINAL New Buildings/Additions/Storage:xxxxInterior Alterations/Construction on Existing Foundations/Windows:xxSiding/EIFS/Roofing/Fences:xConstruction Trailer:xGarages/Sheds over 256 Square Feet:xxIn-Ground Pools:xxAbove-Ground Pools:xDecks/Screened-in Porches:xTrailers/Mobile Homes:x When is a commercial building permit required?Building Permit Requirements - Construction or alteration of a structure (commercial or residential); this includes cutting away any wall, partition, or portion thereof, 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. Making a change in use group in a commercial building - Alterations (commercial or residential) including: 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 an addition including: carports, garages, attached / detached, room additions (commercial or residential), screened in porches. Other structures and alterations: chimneys, decks, detached structures (including: gazebos, sheds greater than 256 sq ft, 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 (i.e. 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 - Moving a lot line which affects an existing structure Page Content Contact InformationPermits & Inspections(757) 385-4211perminsp@vbgov.com(757) 385-5777