COVID-19 UPDATE - May 15, 2020
Update Regarding Permitting and Inspection Services
Permits and Inspections (P&I)
We have established common sense precautions based on CDC and VDH guidelines while delivering permitting and
inspection services. This will include refusal to inspect buildings occupied by individuals that have either tested
positive, been exposed to, or are symptomatic of the COVID-19 virus.
City Hall Room 108/Lobby:
The Permits and Inspections lobby will remain closed to the public until further notice. Customer service inquiries
may be directed to
pdrpermitsandinspections@richmondgov.com.
We encourage all customers to continue
applying for services and making payments electronically through the
Online Permitting Portal (OPP)
and
Microsoft OneDrive.
Applications and payments received by mail are still being accepted and processed, however,
we will be phasing in a fully electronic application and payment process in the near future. When fully implemented
this process will no longer utilize paper applications, faxed-in applications or walk-in/drop-off submissions.
Meetings with staff regarding development, plan review or for other reasons will be conducted virtually or by
appointment.
Permitting and Plan Review:
Plans are being reviewed in the order in which they are received. Plan review services are continuing at remote
telework locations. Communications with customers are being handled via e-mail and telephone.
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Mail and Fax Services:
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Mail-in services are available, however, we are not currently conducting business by fax.
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Residential Trade Applications:
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The
On-Line Permit Portal (OPP)
should be used for Residential
Trade Permits (Electrical, Gas Piping, Mechanical, Plumbing), Certificates of
Zoning Compliance (CZC’s) and Plan of Developments (POD’s),
click here.
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Permits Requiring Plan Review:
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Microsoft OneDrive
should be used to submit commercial applications and
plans electronically. Other services accepted through OneDrive are permit
extensions, cancellations, modifications, contractor changes, amendments to the
scope of work, responses to plan review comments and post permit revisions.
For information on how to register and use Microsoft OneDrive,
click here.
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Inspections:
Field inspections are continuing for all project types. Inspections within occupied buildings are being conducted
virtually or by a third party inspector per our 48-hour third party inspection policy. Please limit the number of
contractors or site representatives meeting an inspector on a jobsite to only
one.
Please remember to practice safe
social distancing and to wear personal protective equipment when meeting an inspector.
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Virtual Inspections:
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We are putting a greater emphasis on virtual inspections across all disciplines.
Use this service option to complete an inspection remotely with a City inspector
using Facetime or Microsoft Teams. For more information,
click here.
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Third Party Inspections:
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Limited:
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@richmondgov.com
and/or visit:
thirdpartyinspections@richmondgov.com
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Full:
Customers may use our third party program in part or in full to obtain third
party inspection and plan review services. Please
click here
for more information.
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Property Maintenance/Code Enforcement (PMCE):
The Property Maintenance lobby will remain closed to the public until further notice, however, services are ongoing.
Citizens may continue to report code enforcement issues within their community by using
RVA311
or calling the
main number at
(804) 646-6398.
If a physical meeting is needed, it will be scheduled through an appointment and
appropriate “social distancing” measures will be followed.
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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.
The following content is powered by
YouTube.
Silent Heroes - Building Safety Month
Building Permit Process
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.
These agencies would review a specific aspect of the proposed construction to verify compliance with their regulations.
Building Codes for Richmond, Virginia
(Adoption Date: July 14, 2014)
One and Two Family Building Codes
Commercial Building Codes
| Codes | Document | Year |
|---|
| Accessible and Useable Buildings and Facilities |
ANSI A117.1 |
2009 |
| Elevator Code |
ASME17.1 |
2010 |
| Fire Sprinkler Code |
|
2010 |
| Flood Resistant Design and Construction |
ASCE 24-05 |
2005 |
| International Building Code |
Virginia Edition |
2012 |
| International Energy Conservation Code |
Virginia Edition |
2012 |
| International Fire Prevention Code |
Virginia Edition |
2012 |
| International Fuel Gas Code |
Virginia Edition |
2012 |
| International Mechanical Code |
Virginia Edition |
2012 |
| International Plumbing Code |
Virginia Edition |
2012 |
| International Property Maintenance Code |
Virginia Edition |
2012 |
| International Rehabilitation Code |
Virginia Edition |
2012 |
| National Electrical Code |
| 2011 |
| National Fire Alarm Code |
|
2010 |
| Standard for Single & Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms |
UL2034 |
2008 with revisions through February 2009 |
| Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code |
|
2012 |
Structural Design Requirements
The following are Structural Design Requirements specific to Richmond, Virginia
- Frost Depth - 18 inches
- Design Wind Speed - 90 mph, 3-second gust
- Ultimate Design Wind Speed For Risk
- Category I Buildings - 105 mph
- Category II Buildings - 115 mph
- Category III & IV Buildings - 120 mph
- Snow Load - 20 psf
- Seismic Design Category - B
Construction Document Submission Requirements
Submitting a Building Permit
There are a number of ways to submit for a building permit, such as in person or by mail. If submitting your application by mail,
please include a completed application, construction documents, and payment. You may not submit your request by fax if the permit
requires plans. Be sure to include a Credit Card Payment Form along with your completed Permit Application.
You can bring in your completed application, construction documents, and payment.
Contractors should have copies of their contractor's license and business license.
Bureau of Permits and Inspections
City Hall, Room 110
900 E. Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23219
Fax: (804)646-1569
You will need a city of Richmond Business License if the value of the work is more than $25,000 or if the total value from permits
exceeds $25,000 during the calendar year.
Checking Permit Status
The easiest way to check the status of a permit is through the city's
Permit Web Inquiry System.
When you arrive at the main screen choose "Search Existing Permits". You can look up permits by the permit number, address,
contractor's license number or city tax parcel id number. When you have selected a permit choose "Permit Approvals". This will
allow you to see what agencies are reviewing your permit, who the reviewers are and the status of their review. In most instances
there will be a phone number for the reviewer so that you can contact them directly with any questions that you might have.
You can also check the status of a permit by calling the city's 311 Call Center. Your inquiry will be routed to the appropriate
reviewer and they will contact you.
Policies and Procedures Handouts
NEW Policy for Inspections Involving Exposed, Energized Electrical Parts
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 prior to 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 George (Rick) Paul Electrical Inspections Supervisor, at (804) 646-6959 with any questions regarding this matter.
Solar
The city of Richmond has been recognized as a Silver 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.
Keeping Citizens Informed!