Hampton, VA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Legal basis
- Hampton City Code § 9-192
- Annual selection cap
- About 2% of dwellings
- Exterior inspection
- Performed in every selected case
- Interior inspection
- Requires consent or search warrant
- Inspection fee
- None charged
Summary
Hampton scores dwellings on a risk-points system, then inspects every flagged property's exterior; inspectors can only go inside with the owner's consent or an administrative search warrant issued after 10 days' notice.
Properties attaining a degree of risk as specified in section 9-192 shall be subject to inspections by the building official to determine and encourage compliance with the property maintenance code. Interior inspections will be performed under one (1) of the following circumstances; 1) the owner requests an interior inspection or 2) an administrative search warrant is obtained for the following reasons; (i) consensual search of the premises has been denied or is unattainable, (ii) a representative of the City of Hampton has personally inspected the property to the extent possible and believes that entry to the premises is necessary and (iii) that notice of the city's intent to seek issuance of an administrative search warrant was sent to the owner or resident at least ten (10) days prior to request of the administrative search warrant.
Exterior inspections will be performed in all cases.
Information on housing rehabilitation assistance programs available through the Hampton Redevelopment and Housing Authority (HRHA) will be included with the notification.
(Ord. No. 1132, 11-9-94; Ord. No. 1156, 12-13-95; Ord. No. 1180, 2-12-97; Ord. No. 1291, 1-24-01; Ord. No. 1468, 3-28-07)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31 | Zoning: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
Hampton City Code § 9-192 scores dwellings on primary risk factors (exterior deterioration, prior codes-compliance or fire violations, boarded-up status) and secondary factors (neighborhood deterioration rate, lot width, dwelling age, assessed value); the city selects up to 2 percent of dwellings citywide each year. Section 9-193 requires the building official to inspect every selected property's exterior in all cases. Interior entry is barred unless the owner requests it or the city secures an administrative search warrant after a denied or unattainable consensual search, following at least 10 days' written notice of that intent. No fee is charged for these inspections (§ 9-194), and owners get 45 days to begin repairs or submit a corrective plan (§ 9-195) before a summons issues.
Violations & Fines
Failing to correct a cited violation after the 45-day notice period leads to a summons under the property maintenance code; chapter 9 penalties run up to $2,500 per conviction, with higher minimum fines for repeat offenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hampton charge a fee for these inspections?
Can an inspector enter my home without permission?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hampton
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