Permits and Inspections Office
900 E. Broad St., Room 108
Richmond, VA 23219
Permit Center Open for Walk-in:
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Phone Line Open:
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Inspection Scheduling Assistance
Phone: 804-646-1628
Please contact CSSHelp@rva.gov if you need help with the Online Permit Portal
Permits and Inspections
The Permits and Inspections Lobby in Room 108/110 of City Hall is closed for repairs until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes. You can reach our help desk by emailing PDRPermitsAndInspections@rva.gov or calling 804-646-4169.
Commissioner of Buildings - David L. Alley III
| Emergency Information |
|---|
| If you need a permit to restore power, water, heat, or for other emergencies, please contact Karen.Paquette@rva.gov and COPY Rick.Paul@rva.gov |
In the coming weeks, the City of Richmond Online Permit Portal will launch a new login process that will help to optimize your user experience and improve security. When a user logs in for the first time after the update, they will be required to re-register using the same email that has been previously used for logging into the online portal. If a user had changed to a different userid, they will be required to register using an email address. Once the user has registered, they will be automatically linked to their existing City of Richmond Online Permit Portal account. |
The Permits and Inspections Bureau is dedicated to providing our services within our established goal times and we will continue to serve our customers as quickly as possible. Our intake, review and inspection times have never been better than now. Please see our current review times below:
• Online submittal review: 3-5 business days.
• Initial Plan Review: 5-10 business days for projects $1-$1.5 mil.
• Initial Plan Review: 10-20 business days for projects $1.5 mil- $10.0 mil.
• Initial Plan Review: 20-30 business days or more depending on the size and complexity of the project.
• Inspections same day as the scheduled date.
Note: Set goals are for the Permits and Inspections Bureau only, other city departments may take longer depending on staffing and/or additional information required from applicant. All review times stop if waiting on return comments or additional information from the applicant. Please feel free to contact us directly should need any additional information about our processes at (804) 646-4169
Shower Liner Test Certification - All Systems
The Permits and Inspections Bureau has established a new policy as related to shower liner systems and will no longer conduct the shower liner test inspection. Effective immediately- In lieu of the City inspection the installer will be responsible for the installation and testing of these shower systems and the contractor/owner will be responsible for providing the completed shower liner test certification to the building inspector at the time of the final building inspection.
These changes are attended to improve past issues by:
• Eliminating project delays due to new complexed systems and improper inspection sequences.
• Failure to schedule the inspections.
• Additional cost- associated with concealed work, removal of finishes and/or an inspection/report from a licensed engineer.
• System damages after inspection
The Virginia Construction Code (VCC), The Virginia Residential (VRC) and The Virginia Plumbing Code (VPC) all require a shower liner test be conducted to ensure that the shower floors and receptors are made watertight. The test requires the following:
1. The floor receptor area shall be filled with potable water to a depth of not less than two inches measured at the threshold.
2. Where a threshold of at least two inches does not exist, a temporary threshold shall be constructed to retain water in the lined floor to a level not less than two inches deep measured at the threshold.
3. The water shall be retained for a test period of not less than 15 minutes and there shall be no evidence of leakage.
The Shower Liner Test Certificate can be located HERE.
New Customer Service Line: Call 804-646-4169 to ask a question or to check on the status of a permit.
New Expedited Submittal Program: Please notify Karen Paquette (karen.paquette@rva.gov) and CC david.alley@rva.gov after submitting the following types of permits:
• Emergency permits to restore electrical, gas, or water service for an existing occupied structure
• Derelict Building Program and associated trade permits
• City of Richmond interdepartmental projects
• City-approved third-party agency plan review projects
• Solar projects
The Permit Center, located in City Hall Room 108, is open 8:00am-1:00pm Monday-Friday for limited services that require in-person interaction that cannot be duplicated by electronic means.
To schedule an appointment or for customer service inquiries e-mail:
Permits and Inspections: PDRPermitsAndInspections@rva.gov
Inspections
Field inspections are continuing for all project types.
Third Party Inspections:
Customers may use our limited 48-hour third party inspection policy for individual inspections when the building official is unable to perform a scheduled inspection within two working days of a request or an agreed upon date or if authorized for other circumstances in the building official’s written policy. Third party inspections shall be requested, and the inspection reports submitted, in accordance with the City’s official policy. For more information contact david.alley@rva.gov.
The Bureau of Permits and Inspections reviews applications and construction documents for the construction, alterations and improvements to all new and existing structures in the City of Richmond. After permits are issued, the bureau inspects the work at specific stages through the completion of the job. This process is to ensure the life safety and code compliance of buildings. The process provides safe buildings for citizens, whether they live in, work or are visiting the City of Richmond.
Our staff and department is dedicated to helping you build a better, code-compliant City of Richmond.
Forms & Permit Applications
A building permit must be obtained prior to commencing any new construction or alterations to a building. In the City of Richmond, a building permit only covers the building and structural portion of a project. The permit is only reviewed for compliance with the building code. Any electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work for a project will be done under a separate trade permit. Reviews for code-compliance will be done as those permits are submitted.
Building permits are typically reviewed by multiple agencies. In addition to the Building Code review, permits may be forwarded to some or all of the following departments:
- Zoning
- Planning and Preservation
- Land Use Administration
- Commission of Architectural Review
- Public Works
- Public Utilities
- Water Resources
- Code Enforcement / Property Maintenance
These agencies would review a specific aspect of the proposed construction to verify compliance with their regulations.
Building Codes for Richmond, Virginia
Applicants submitting for permit between January 18, 2024 and January 17, 2025 shall be permitted to choose whether to comply with the provisions of VUSBC-2021 or the provisions of VUSBC-2018 per Section 103.2 VCC-2021.
| Codes | Document | 2018 VUSBC | 2021 VUSBC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code | Virginia Edition | 2018 | 2021 |
One and Two-Family Building Codes
| Codes | Document | 2018 VUSBC | 2021 VUSBC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Residential Code | Virginia Edition | 2018 | 2021 |
| Elevator Code | ASME17.1 | 2016 | 2019 |
Commercial Building Codes
| Codes | Document | 2018 VUSBC | 2021 VUSBC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Construction Code | Virginia Edition | 2018 | 2021 |
| Accessible and Useable Buildings and Facilities | ICC A117.1 | 2009 | 2017 |
| Elevator Code | ASME A17.1 | 2016 | 2019 |
| Fire Sprinkler Code | NFPA 13 | 2016 | 2019 |
| Flood Resistant Design and Construction | ASCE 24 | 2014 | 2014 |
| International Swimming Pool and Spa Code | ICC ISPSC | 2018 | 2021 |
| National Electrical Code | NFPA 70 | 2017 | 2020 |
| National Fire Alarm Code | NFPA 72 | 2016 | 2019 |
| Standard for Single & Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms | UL2034 | 2008 with revisions through February 2009 | 2017 |
| Virginia Energy Conservation Code | Virginia Edition | 2018 | 2021 |
| Virginia Existing Building Code | Virginia Edition | 2018 | 2021 |
| Virginia Fuel Gas Code | Virginia Edition | 2018 | 2021 |
| Virginia Mechanical Code | Virginia Edition | 2018 | 2021 |
| Virginia Plumbing Code | Virginia Edition | 2018 | 2018 |
The following are Structural Design Requirements specific to Richmond, Virginia
- Frost Depth - 18 inches
- Basic Design Wind Speed For Risk
- Category I Buildings - 105 mph
- Category II Buildings - 115 mph
- Category III Buildings - 120 mph
- Category IV Buildings - 130 mph
- Snow Load - 20 psf
- Seismic Design Category - B
All services are now being processed through the City of Richmond’s Online Permitting Portal (OPP). Processing times for some application types may take as long as 2-3 weeks. Applications and plans are being reviewed in the order in which they are received.
Mail and Fax Services:
Applications and payments received by mail are still being accepted, however, we are not currently conducting business by fax.
Online Permit Portal:
The Online Permit Portal (OPP) should be used for Commercial and Residential Building permits, Commercial, Electrical and Mechanical permits, all Residential trade permits (Electrical, Gas Piping, Mechanical, Plumbing), Certificates of Zoning Compliance (CZC’s), and Plan of Developments (POD’s).
Verifying Business Licenses:
The City Finance Business Unit has Customer Service Representatives available with access to MUNIS to verify if a business has a valid business license in the City of Richmond. They can be reached by telephone at (804) 646-6662. The door to Room 103 is open, please come in and ask for assistance should you have additional questions or concerns, or wish to speak to a Customer Service Supervisor.
Construction Document Submission Requirements
The best way to check the status of a permit is through the city's Online Permit Portal.
The City of Richmond Bureau of Permits and Inspections has initiated a new Third-Party Plan Review and Inspections Program that will allow developers and property owners the ability to contract directly with qualified Third-Party Plan Review and/or Inspection Agencies to perform building plan review and inspections as an alternative to the City’s standard process. The program sets forth the minimum qualifications, administrative guidelines and procedures established and implemented by the City of Richmond for Third-Party Agencies to ensure that all plan reviews and/or inspections conducted by Third-Party Agencies are at the highest professional level and to ensure a process for verification and auditing of the Third-Party Agencies. The program also establishes an application process for Third-Party Agency certification.
Click here to learn more about the Third-Party Program.
As of March 1, 2015 City of Richmond Department of Building Inspection will require the installing electrician or qualified representative to be on site for the inspections listed below in order to de-energize, open and close the equipment for the inspection:
- Release service change
- Generators
- Any inspections related to service equipment after the utility connection is complete
We encourage you to contact your inspector after 7:00 a.m. on the morning of your inspection to arrange a time to meet on site for the inspection. Or, when scheduling your inspection, you may request that the inspector give you a thirty (30) minute call ahead. Please contact Eugene (Tab) Crumpton, Electrical Inspections Supervisor, at (804) 646-5748 with any questions regarding this matter.
The city of Richmond has been recognized as a Gold designee by SolSmart, a national program to assist communities in fostering the growth of strong local solar markets by taking key steps to reduce barriers and make it faster, easier and less expensive to go solar. Find solar specific permit and zoning information at RVAgreen.
To extend an expired permit, please complete an Application for Permit Extension Form and email this to: PDR.Permits@rva.gov.