Commercial Permits

Building Permits Required

Building permits are required for the following commercial construction projects:

• Construction of a new structure (building or non-building)
• Demolition of a structure, including the removal of any wall, partition or structural component
• Reconstruction, alteration or replacement including:
  • The addition of any wall, partition or structural component
  • Reconstruction of decks, balconies, porches and similar structures
  • Any required fire or smoke-resistance rated assembly
  • Modification to means of egress
  • Removal or disturbance of asbestos containing materials
  • Replacement of roofing and siding
• Change of occupancy requiring a new Certificate of Occupancy (CO) prior to the use of the structure
  • A Certificate of Occupancy is required when the USBC requires a greater degree of structural strength, fire protection, means of egress, ventilation or sanitation
  • Typical examples: new restaurant (A-2) locating in an existing mercantile shopping center (M); business (B) operating from an existing residence (R)
• Tents or air-supported structures greater than 900 square feet or with more than 50 occupants
• Modifications to the exterior accessible route, such as accessible parking and sidewalks leading to an accessible building/site
• Converting a single family dwelling into a business office (a permit is required even if no alterations are proposed)
• Construction trailer permit
• Demolition permit
• Swimming pool permit
• Retaining wall permit
• Cell tower, flag pole and other non-building structure permit

Trade Permits Required

Trade permits are required for commercial construction installations or alterations projects involving:

• The water supply and distribution system, sanitary drainage or vent system
• Electric wiring greater than 50 volts, or less than 50 volts where wiring penetrates a fire rated or smoke protected assembly, is located in a plenum, or is associated with an elevator fire safety control system, egress control system or fire protective system
• The fire protection system, mechanical systems or fuel supply systems
• Equipment regulated by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code

Trade permits are also required with replacement of above-ground existing LP-gas containers when any of the following occur:

• Tank capacity changes
• Tank location changes
• Tank regulator changes

Other Permits Required

• Sign permit
• Elevators/conveyance equipment installation – Elevator/conveyance equipment permit
• Amusement devices – Amusement device permit

Commercial Projects that Do Not Require a Permit

Application for a permit and any related inspections may not be required for the following; however, this shall not be construed to exempt such activities from other applicable requirements of the Virginia Construction Code. If a permit is not required, setbacks and other zoning requirements may still apply.

Contact Planning at 804-748-1050 for more information regarding zoning requirements. In addition, when an owner or an owner’s agent requests that a permit be issued for any of the following, then a permit shall be issued and any related inspections shall be required.

Permits are not required for the following commercial projects:

• Installation of wiring and equipment that operates at low voltage (50 volts maximum) wiring systems and equipment that are not a component of any fire protection system, access control system, egress control system, located in a plenum, penetrate fire rated or smoke protected construction
• One story detached structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses or similar uses (not exceed 256 square feet), and not classified as a Group F-1 or H occupancy
• Detached prefabricated buildings housing the equipment of a publicly regulated utility service, provided the floor area does not exceed 150 square feet (14 m2)
• Tents or air-supported structures, or both, that cover an area of 900 square feet or less and have an occupant load of 50 or less persons
• Fences of any height unless required for pedestrian safety as provided for by Section 3306, or used for the barrier for a swimming pool
• Concrete or masonry walls, provided such walls do not exceed 6 feet (1829 mm) in height above the finished grade
• Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet (914 mm) of unbalanced fill that are not constructed for the purpose of impounding Class I, II or III-A liquids or supporting a surcharge other than ordinary unbalanced fill
• Swimming pools that meet all of the following:
  • 150 square feet
  • 5,000 gallons or less
  • Less than 24 inches deep
• Signs under the conditions in Section H101.2 of Appendix H of the Virginia Construction Code
• Replacement of above-ground existing LP-gas containers of the same capacity in the same location and associated regulators when installed by the serving gas supplier
• Flagpoles 30 feet or less in height
• Temporary ramps serving dwelling units in Group R-3 and R-5 occupancies where the height of the entrance served by the ramp is no more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade
• Construction work deemed by the building official to be minor and ordinary and which does not adversely affect public health or general safety
• Ordinary repairs that include the following:
  • Replacement of windows and doors with windows and doors of similar operation and opening dimensions that do not require changes to the existing framed opening and that are not required to be fire rated in Group R-2 where serving a single dwelling unit and in Groups R-3, R-4 and R-5
  • Replacement of plumbing fixtures and well pumps in all groups without alteration of the water supply and distribution systems, sanitary drainage systems or vent systems
  • Replacement of general use snap switches, dimmer and control switches, 125 volt-15 or 20 ampere receptacles, luminaires (lighting fixtures) and ceiling (paddle) fans in Group R-2 where serving a single dwelling unit and in Groups R3, R-4 and R-5
  • Replacement of mechanical appliances provided such equipment is not fueled by gas or oil in Group R-2 where serving a single-family dwelling and in Groups R-3, R-4 and R-5
  • Replacement of an unlimited amount of roof covering or siding in Groups R-3, R4 or R-5 provided the building or structure is not in an area where the design (3 second gust) wind speed is greater than 100 miles per hour (160 km/hr) and replacement of 100 square feet (9.29 m2) or less of roof covering in all groups and all wind zones
  • Replacement of 100 square feet (9.29 m2) or less of roof decking in Groups R-3, R-4 or R-5 unless the decking to be replaced was required at the time of original construction to be fire-retardant-treated or protected in some other way to form a fire-rated wall termination
  • Installation or replacement of floor finishes in all occupancies
  • Replacement of Class C interior wall or ceiling finishes installed in Groups A, E and I and replacement of all classes of interior wall or ceiling finishes in other groups
  • Installation or replacement of cabinetry or trim
  • Application of paint or wallpaper
  • Other repair work deemed by the building official to be minor and ordinary which does not adversely affect public health or general safety
• Crypts, mausoleums and columbaria structures not exceeding 1,500 square feet (139.35 m2) in area if the building or structure is not for occupancy and used solely for the interment of human or animal remains and is not subject to special inspections
  • Exception: Application for a permit may be required by the building official for the installation of replacement siding, roofing and windows in buildings within a historic district designated by a locality pursuant to Section 15.2-2306 of the Code of Virginia.