Building Development Division

Policies and procedures have been developed to clarify the process for complying with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. The policies and procedures are organized as follows:

Administrative/General: These policies and procedures have broad application to the development and building process. These policies and procedures may apply to administrative requirements; residential and commercial construction; or the plan review permitting and inspection process.

Commercial: These policies and procedures apply to the commercial development and building process where projects are designed and constructed in accordance with the International Building Code.

Residential Plan Review: These policies and procedures apply to the design and plan review process for residential one and two family dwellings where projects are designed in accordance with the International Residential Code.

Residential Inspections: These policies and procedures apply to the construction and inspection process for residential one and two family dwellings where projects designed in accordance with the International Residential Code.

If you have questions or need clarifications on the policies and procedures contact us at [email protected] or 703-792-6930.

	SECTION	EFFECTIVE DATE
	1. Administrative/General
1	1.03 Abandoned Building and Permits Applications	04/25/2022
2	1.05. Amusement Device Permits/Inspections	08/22/2019
3	1.07. Building Code Exemption - Farm Structures	08/12/2019
4	1.1. Building Code Interpretations (Web page)	-
5	1.2. Building Development Fee Schedule	07/01/2023
6	1.3. Development Services ePortal (Web portal)	11/12/2014
7	1.4. Building Pad Certification	07/01/2009
8	1.4.5. Building Permit, Building Inspection Records & Certificate of Occupancies History	04/25/2022
9	1.5. Commercial Partial Permitting Process for Shell Buildings	11/12/2015
10	1.6. Contact Information Form	05/09/2014
11	1.6.3. Electrical and Plumbing Inspection Certification Program	03/13/2015
12	1.6.4. Electrical Generators Permitting and Inspections	11/14/2019
13	1.6.5. Equipment/Furniture Storage Request	04/01/2010
14	1.6.7. Fire Resistance Ratings Methods	05/22/2019
15	1.6.9. Gas Fired Tankless Water Heaters	10/29/2020
16	1.6.9.5 Inspections - Certifications Electronic Submissions	11/15/2022
17	1.6.9.6 Final Inspection Order	04/29/2024
18	1.7. Inspections – Field Revisions	05/22/2019
19	1.8. Inspections – Not Ready for Inspection	10/15/2009
20	1.9. Inspections – Posting Permits	10/10/2003
21	1.10. Inspections – Scheduling Overtime Inspections	07/01/2009
22	1.11. Registered Design Professional Sealing of Plans	01/06/2020
23	1.12. Retaining Wall Safety Devices	07/19/2019
24	1.13. Soils - Use of Lime during Construction	09/04/2007
25	1.13.5. Soils - Expansive Soil	01/09/2009
26	1.13.7. Solar Energy Systems	09/01/2023
27	1.14. Special Inspections Manual	10/26/2015
28	1.14.3. Special Inspections - Submission of Electronic Documents	11/01/2009
29	1.14.5. Special Inspections - Field Revisions	04/07/2011
30	1.15. Story Above Grade Plane	07/19/2019
31	1.15.5 Takeover Permitting Process	04/15/2022
32	1.16. Third Party Building Inspection Certification Program	10/29/2019
33	1.17. Third Party Inspection Certification Program (Leftover Inspections)	05/05/2006
34	1.18. Third Party Inspection Certification Program for Minor Critical Projects	11/07/2011
35	1.19. Post-Damage and Recovery Process	07/10/2023
	2. Commercial
1	2.05. Commercial Project Management Program	11/01/2013
2	2.1. Building Plan Review Priority Processing	10/15/2009
3	2.2. Expedited Plan Review Program	Suspended
4	2.3. Resubmission-Revision Policy	01/18/2012
5	2.4. Joint Occupancy Evaluation (JOE) Program	03/31/2023
6	2.5. Framing and Rough-In Permit	11/12/2015
7	2.6. Insulation Inspections	05/01/2022
8	2.7. Posting of Occupant Load	06/26/2019
9	2.8. New Commercial Buildings and First Generation Tenant Space	07/15/2008
10	2.9. Covered Mall Buildings - Kiosks and Carts	07/19/2019
11	2.10. Spray-on Fireproofing	04/07/2011
12	2.11. Address Validation Requirements	04/26/2021
13	2.12. Existing Radio/Cell Towers New/Replacement Antenna Installation	01/22/2020
14	2.13. New Structure - Data Center Buildings	04/05/2021
	3. Residential Plan Review & Permits
	3.1. General
1	3.1.1. Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria	09/30/2021
2	3.1.2. Deck Construction – Permit Requirement	08/22/2019
3	3.1.3. Framing Plans for Conventional Lumber and I-Joist	07/01/2009
4	3.1.4. Framing Plans for Wood Trusses Metal Plate Connected	08/28/2015
5	3.1.5. Master File Plan Program	03/07/2022
6	3.1.6. Waived Plan Review Program	04/26/2021
7	3.1.7. Residential Electronic Trade Permits	07/15/2020
8	3.1.8. Residential Walk-Thru Policy	05/01/2023
	3.2. Building
9	3.2.1. Deck Stairway Illumination	08/22/2019
10	3.2.2. Structural Slabs	10/29/2019
11	3.2.3. Foundations and Brick Ledges	11/01/2006
12	3.2.4. Property Line Encroachment	07/19/2019
13	3.3. Electrical – Load Calculation	07/01/2009
14	3.3.1. Electrical Vehicle Charging Systems	07/01/2019
	4. Residential Inspections
1	4.1. General
2	4.1.1. Deck Inspection Access	10/30/2019
3	4.1.2. Drywall Stocking	09/11/2003
4	4.1.3. Swimming Pool Heaters	05/01/2022
	4.2. Building
5	4.2.1. Master File Plans Inspection Summary Sheet	02/07/2022
6	4.2.2. Foundation Drainage Systems	07/01/2009
7	4.2.3. Foundation Backfill	07/01/2009
8	4.2.4. Protection from Ice Damming	11/15/2011
9	4.2.6. Structural Foundation Repairs	07/01/2009
10	4.2.7. Brick Veneer Inspection	03/13/2015
11	4.2.8. Residential Floor Framing Inspections	01/15/2019
	4.3. Electrical Service
12	4.3.1. Electrical Service Inspection	10/10/2003
13	4.3.2. Panel Installation	07/01/2009
14	4.3.3 Concrete Encased Electrode Inspection	08/15/2009
	4.4. Mechanical/Gas
15	4.4.1. Certified Gas Drawings	06/26/2019
16	4.4.2. Duct Inspections	07/01/2009
17	4.4.4. Existing Chimney/Vent Inspection	06/22/2018
	4.5. Plumbing
18	4.5.1. Areaway Drains	10/10/2003
19	4.5.2. Water Meter Crocks	07/30/2016
20	4.5.3. Grinder Pump Tank Installation Third Party Inspection Program	08/19/2016
	4.6. Energy Efficiency
21	4.6.1 Air Leakage Test (Blower Door)	05/01/2023
22	4.6.2 Duct Leakage Testing	05/01/2023
23	4.6.3 Insulation Certificate	05/01/2023