Building Permits & Inspections

Responsibilities


The Department of Permits and Inspections Building Inspection Division is responsible for administration and enforcement of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC) and related construction regulations, codes, and standards relative to construction, addition, alteration, replacement, repair, relocation, demolition, and change of occupancy/use of commercial and residential structures to ensure public safety, health, and welfare as well as reasonable fire safety and structural integrity.
  • Administrate permit processes and construction activities
  • Examine construction documents prior to proposed construction activities
  • Inspect construction and trade activities to verify code compliance with VUSBC and supporting codes
  • Apply required energy and water conservation codes and standards
  • Apply appropriate required accessibility standards and guidelines
  • Apply local municipal zoning ordinances, floodplain regulations, historical preservation regulations, and various design district regulations

Permit Administration

 
The Department administrates permit application and issuance to ensure code compliance with 
  • Receive and process building, trade, and other permit applications
  • Confirm proper and valid contractor and tradesman licensure through Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
  • Confirm proper and valid registered design professional registration/licensure through Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
  • Confirm proper and valid local business licensure trough Portsmouth Commissioner of Revenue Office
  • Process and issue construction, trade, and other permits
  • Schedule construction, trade, and other inspections
  • Process and issue Certificates of Occupancy

Plan Examination

 
The Department examines construction documents of proposed construction projects to ensure code compliance.
  • Perform plans examination to verify code compliance with all construction, trade, and related regulations and codes as well as applicable referenced standards
  • Review code modification requests for code equivalencies with code spirit and intent
  • Review alternative construction materials, means, and methods
  • Determine construction classification, occupancy/use classification, and occupant load

Site Inspection

 
The Department, in addition to review of applicants and documents, conducts building and trade inspections of construction projects under construction and after occupancy to ensure code compliance.
  • Conduct site inspection to verify code compliance with all construction, trade, and related regulations and codes as well as applicable referenced standards
  • Inspect existing commercial structures in conjunction with business license applications relative to proposed changes of occupancy/use and/or re-establishment of businesses after 90 day minimum closures
  • Administrate elevator review and inspection program for new elevator installations and existing elevator alterations as well as existing elevator maintenance and required periodic inspections
  • Administrate amusement device program to ensure public safety
  • Administrate third-party and special inspection programs
  • Administrate manufactured housing and industrialized building programs
  • Conduct electrical inspections on vacant structures when vacated 30 days minimum

Administrative and Technical Assistance


The Department assists other departments, agencies, and entities.
  • Provide administrative and technical regulatory and code assistance to registered design professionals (architects/engineers), general contractors, home builders, trade subcontractors, property owners, and general public
  • Assist with damage assessment after natural and human-caused disaster and emergency events

Additional Staff Services

 
  • Provide other services and assistance as required