Richmond, VA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing office
- Bureau of Permits and Inspections
- Residential permit base fee
- $63.00 plus $6.07 per $1,000
- Commercial permit base fee
- $131.00 plus $8.50 per $1,000
- Unpermitted work investigation fee
- $400.00 per permit
- Governing code
- Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code
- Permit scope
- Site and work described on application only
Summary
Richmond requires a permit before construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, repair, maintenance or equipment installation on any building or structure. The Bureau of Permits and Inspections in the Department of Planning and Development Review issues permits under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, adopted locally by reference, with fees set by City Council based on the value of work.
The construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, repair, maintenance or use of structures and buildings within the City, and installation of equipment therein, shall be governed by the Uniform Statewide Building Code as promulgated by the State Board of Housing and Community Development, together with the local fee schedule.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Recodification).
Full Breakdown
Richmond City Code § 5-1 adopts the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), "along with its associated referenced standards and all future editions and amendments," making it applicable citywide. Section 5-2 then sets the trigger: any "construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, repair, maintenance or use of structures and buildings within the City, and installation of equipment therein" is governed by the USBC together with Richmond's local fee schedule, meaning a permit application and fee payment apply to that full range of building work, not just new construction.
The Commissioner of Buildings, housed in the Bureau of Permits and Inspections, is designated the "Building Official" and "Building Maintenance Official" under Section 5-4 and administers permit issuance and enforcement. 00 (commercial) per set. A permit is valid, per Section 5-8, only "for an installation at the site named thereon for the work described on the application," so it does not transfer to a different site or scope. 00 cap. An additional two percent levy funds state training at the Virginia Building Code Academy. Section 5-7 provides that if a permit is revoked or the project is abandoned, the Commissioner refunds the unfinished-work portion, less plan review and administrative fees.
Violations & Fines
Under Section 5-9, starting work that requires a permit before one is obtained does not excuse the fee: the owner must still pay for the entire scope of work covered by the permit once it is issued, and payment does not bar prosecution for commencing work without a permit under the USBC. Anyone issued a stop work order also owes a Council-set administrative fee covering the cost of issuing the order and any resulting legal action; the fee schedule lists a $400.00 investigation charge for work performed without a permit. Section 5-3 separately makes it unlawful to occupy, construct, alter, extend, repair, remove, demolish, maintain or use USBC-regulated buildings or equipment in violation of the code, punishable as set out in Code of Virginia § 36-106.
Frequently Asked Questions
What work in Richmond needs a building permit?
Who issues Richmond building permits?
What if I start work before getting a permit?
Does a Richmond building permit transfer to another site?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richmond
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