Plumbing - Permit & Inspections FAQs

Notice: The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) regulates all plumbing and associated utility work, specifically on-site water and sewer lines and connections.    Accordingly, prior to the issuance of any plumbing permits and/or the commencement of any related work, plans are to be submitted to and approved by Permits and Inspections to ensure the use of USBC approved materials are indicated.  As not to delay any development projects, please submit this information at the same time as site plan submittal to the Development Services Center (DSC).   

  • ​What is required to submit plans for a grease trap?
    Grease Trap Requirements:

    A plumbing permit which includes a grease trap will not be issued until it goes through the review process and has been approved. 
    • ​Cut Sheet of all fixtures, floor drains, kettles and equipment with grease laden waste that will be going into the grease trap.
    • Calculations from the International Plumbing Code (IPC) on grease trap sizing or Hampton Roads Calculation sizing
    • Cut Sheet of the approved grease trap showing which grease trap will be used.​
  • ​When is a plumbing inspection required?
    ​Plumbing Inspections:

    ​​​Plumbing ​Inspections​Rough- ​In​Slab ​​Top ​Out​Water/ ​Sewer​Storm ​Drain​Mirror ​Test​Final ​
    ​Commercial-New/Addition/ ​Alteration:​ ​​ ​X​ ​X​ ​X​ ​​ ​​ ​X
    ​On-Site Sewer/Water:​X​X​X
    ​Residential - On Crawl Space New/Addition/ ​Alteration​ X​​ ​​ ​​ ​X​ ​​ ​​ ​
    ​Residential - On Slab New/Addition/ ​Alteration​ ​X​ ​X​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​X
    ​Sewer/Water Conversion or Replacement​X
     

  • ​When is a plumbing permit required?

    ​Residential

    • Connection / conversion to City water or sewer
    • New plumbing fixtures or drains
    • New or replacement testable backflow preventers
    • Replacement of water or sewer lines
    • Ultra Low Flush Toilet Program

    Commercial

    • New or replacement plumbing fixtures or drains
    • New or replacement testable backflow preventers
    • On-site water distribution or sewer collector lines
    • Replacement of water or sewer lines
    • Ultra Low Flush Toilet Program
  • How is a plumbing inspection 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. 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.

  • What is required to obtain a plumbing permit?

    ​​

    • ​Plumbing 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 relocation
    • Indicate the number of fixtures to be installed and/or backflow preventers
    • If applicable, number of drainage fixture units (DFU) paid, and/or number of DFU credits and Public Utilities receipt number
    • If applicable, indicate the number of drains
    • If applicable, indicate water and/or sewer replacement or conversion, if conversion Public Utilities receipt number is required

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