Permits & Inspections

Effective: November 15, 2021 - The Virginia Beach Planning Department will close the customer service counter on Mondays and Thursdays to walk-in customers for Building, and Trade Permits. The counter will be open for all walk-in customers Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 AM to noon, and then from 1 to 4:30 PM (to allow for payment processing). This temporary, partial closure is due to staffing shortages, decrease of in-person permit requests, and to allocate available staff hours toward plan/permit review. Permit applications may still be dropped off in the reception area Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm or anytime in the drop box just outside the main entrance. Online permit application submittals and issued permits are always available via Accela Citizen Access (see left sidebar). PLEASE READ THE ITEM BELOW LABELLED: "BUILDING PERMIT COUNTER REVIEW CRITERIA". If you need assistance, please call 757-385-4211 Option 3 or send us an email to perminsp@vbgov.com. Please bear in mind all responses will be within normal working hours.

NOTE:  Short Term Rentals falls under Zoning - Short Term Rentals

​​*​ Online Permitting Search Directions

In October 2011 Permits & Inspections Introduced a new Enhanced Automated Permitting System named ACCELA.  This system enables customers to obtain permits over the Internet, schedule their inspections and view the results.  ACCELA also allows Permits and Inspections to accept most major credit cards (Mastercard, American​ Express, and Discover).  In order to use these features you must first Register for an Account.  Then you can Schedule an Inspection Online.  The system is available 24/7.