Third-Party Program

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.

Types and Definitions of Third-Party Inspections:

48 Hour Inspections: Definition: A single inspection that the City of Richmond was unable to perform within (2) working business days from the day the inspection was scheduled. Note: Weekends and Holidays do not count as a business day. This inspection can be conducted by a Virginia licensed Engineer or a DHCD State certified inspector in the discipline required. Certification and/or License must be validated and approved prior to the inspection, please follow the procedures listed below. 

Partial Inspections: Definition: All inspections for a single discipline under special circumstances. Request must be reviewed prior to the start of the project. This inspection can be conducted by a Virginia licensed Engineer or a DHCD State certified inspector in the discipline required.  Certification and/or License must be validated and approved prior to the inspection, please follow the procedures listed below. 

Full Third-Party Inspection/Plan Review Program: Definition: All Trades and Building inspections for the entire project. Excluding the final inspection for Fire Alarm, Sprinkler, and Building. Note: Must be an approved Agency by the City of Richmond. Please contact one of the approved agencies listed below for further information.

Special Inspections: Not Applicable to this program.

Procedures

•    The Engineer of record must request permission to perform the inspection.
•    All Third-Party Inspection request must be sent to david.alley@richmondgov.com for review.
•    The Engineer must receive permission prior to the performing the inspection.