Notes

When is a permit required for What documents do I need? Notes for residential work: Requirements for  The Virginia Residential Code is the applicable residential property? New house or addition building code for the Commonwealth of Virginia. building a house or The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code requires a Copies of the code are available in the library or can

building permit for any house, addition or work to finish be viewed at the Building Inspection Department. addition, or for off existing space. It states any work that is structural in nature requires a permit. It does exclude cosmetic  Drawings may be prepared by the homeowner or finishing off space changes such as painting, installing vinyl siding, contractor. For most single-family dwellings, a

replacing carpet, etc, and “ordinary” repairs such as registered architect or professional engineer is not replacing cabinetry, kitchen appliances (except gas required, but depending on your experience and equipment), electrical switches, electric water heaters, training, they may be worth the investment. reroofing, etc. Call the Building Inspection office if you are in doubt. 1. Plot plan — showing the proposed distances of the  The Building Inspection plan reviewer will perform a structure to all property lines. A survey plat or a check of the plans to verify structural integrity and legible drawing showing the structure’s footprint with code compliance. If the documents are incorrect or What is the process? relation to the property lines is acceptable. need further information, the plans will be returned to the submitter for corrections and re-submittal. The process is simple but requires some coordination: 2. Construction drawings — two sets are required, including:  1. When considering where to place your structure on The county does not review electrical, mechanical,  Engineered soil report showing shrink-swell the lot, contact the Planning Department (748-1050) gas or plumbing trade drawings. The subcontractor potential (required for all new houses and additions for setback and easement requirements. must build in accordance with the code, and the work with habitable space in Triassic basin) will be inspected by the appropriate inspector.  Elevations 2. Gather all of the  Footing and foundation plan  Your guide to the permit necessary documents. The Environmental Engineering Department will  Floor plan(s) determine when you can begin clearing the land.  Roof plan and inspection process  Truss layout plan and detail sheets (if trussed)  3. Complete the permit Do I have to bring the whole building up to code if I do  Floor joist layout application(s), nonrelated work elsewhere in the house?  Section through house or addition Chesterfield County, Virginia submit the construction No. Only those portions of the work under the permit Chesterfield County  Details of construction Providing a FIRST CHOICE Community documents and pay must be built to the current code.

through Excellence in Public Service the required fees. Building Permit Finishing off existing space

1. Scope of work statement — required so plan reviewer Who can apply for the permit? 20080101 - 001 Chesterfield County and inspector can differentiate between what is 4. Wait for the permit to be January 1, 2008 The homeowner or contractor who is going to do the 9800 Government Center Parkway existing work and what is new work. issued. work can apply for the applicable building or trade Chesterfield, VA 23832-0040 2. Construction drawings — required if the work involves permit(s). new walls, or structural modifications. Building Inspection Department Phone: (804) 748-1057 Fax: 751-4713 5. Start construction.

Planning Department Phone: 748-1050

Fax: 717-6295

chesterfield.gov 6. Call for the required inspections.

What permits do I need? How do I make changes to the What inspections are required? How do I get an inspection plans during the construction scheduled? phase? The following inspections are typically required for new The following permits may be required for a new house: homes, additions, conversions and finishing off space  Building permit There are two ways to request inspections: During the course of construction, you may find it depending on the scope of work and specific construction  Electrical permit 1. Call (804) 751-4444, the automated Interactive Voice necessary to change your plans. There are two different details.  Mechanical permit Response system, and request an inspection. processes to get this accomplished:  Footing inspection – after the trench is dug  Plumbing permit 2. Call (804) 751-4990, to speak to a customer service • An amendment is required if your change affects any • for new houses, this inspection must be done by an  Gas permit (if applicable) representative and request your inspection. of the departments besides the Building Inspection engineer hired by the applicant. For additions and when finishing off existing space, the Department. Examples of such work include • for additions, this inspection will be done by the county. When can I move in? permits listed above may be required depending on the changing the size of the house or changing the  Projection inspection – after the first course of block is laid specific work. footprint of the building. There is a fee associated with  Foundation inspection – after backfilling of crawl space For a new house, once you have obtained an approved an amendment.  Poured walls – after installation of rebars, but prior to final building inspection and approvals from all What are the fees for the permits? • A structural revision is required even if the work does pouring concrete applicable county departments, you will be issued a not impact any other department. The typical process  Slab inspection – prior to pouring concrete for basement or Certificate of Occupancy (CO) and will be allowed to Information concerning fees is available on our Web site requires the applicant to submit the Approved Field garage floor move in. A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) www.chesterfield.gov/bi or by calling the Building Plans to the Building Inspection Department for an  Drainage/waterproofing – prior to backfilling foundation may be granted by the county for certain non-safety Inspection Department and is subject to annual change. over-the-counter approval (if it is complicated, it may  Veneer inspection – after installation of exterior sheathing related situations. take 24 hours for approval). and all exterior doors and windows How long does it take to get the Examples of such work include  Rough electrical – after all wires are pulled For additions and finishing off space, the homeowner will permit? changing structural materials  Rough mechanical – after all ductwork is installed be allowed to move into the space after all of the final changing room layout, or adding  Rough gas – after all gas piping is installed inspections are completed. The permitting process requires the approval of the: a closet. There is no fee associated  Rough plumbing – after all plumbing lines are installed • Building Department with a structural revision.  Framing inspection – after all of the trades have approved rough-ins, but prior to insulating or covering the walls • Planning Department • Environmental Engineering Department  Insulation inspection – after the framing inspection

• Utilities Department  Final electrical – after all electrical work is completed

• Budget Management  Final mechanical – after all mechanical work is completed Why do I need a soil report? • Health Department (if the house is on a well or  Final gas – after all gas work is completed

The quality of soil in Chesterfield County varies by  Final plumbing – after all plumbing work is completed septic system) location, and certain areas are prone to differential  Final building inspection – after all trades are completed It is the goal of Chesterfield County to have all settlement, meaning that the footings may be subject to and lot is graded residential plans reviewed within 10 working days. By inconsistent bearing. In order to determine if your site  Final inspection(s) by applicable county departments. logging into the county’s Web page and entering the has this potential for “shrink-swell”, a soil report is It is the responsibility of the permit holder to be sure the permit number, you can find out the permit status. When required for all new houses in the county. If you are Approved Field Set of plans are available at all times during your construction documents are in order and you have constructing an addition with habitable space, you are Prior to digging call the construction. received approval from all of these departments, a also required to have a soil report if your property is in building permit and one set of Approved Field Plans will the Triassic Basin (map available on the Building Miss Utility — Dial 811 Inspection Web site). This report is not to be confused be mailed to you, or you may pick them up at the with a perk test that is required for septic systems. In Building Inspection Department depending on the option Miss Utility is a free service that will locate all member you selected on the application form. order to have a shrink-swell test, you can hire a soil utilities that may have facilities in your proposed area of scientist or engineer to perform that service. If the soil excavation. Notification must be made a minimum of 48 analysis results from moderate to very high shrink-swell hours prior to any excavating. potential, an engineered footing will be required. May, 2019