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Henrico County, VA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Enforced by
County building official
Governing code
Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code
Excess-inspection surcharge
$75 per inspection
Appeals go to
County board of code appeals
Plan re-review fee
$25 after 2 reviews

Summary

Henrico's building official administers and enforces Virginia's Uniform Statewide Building Code countywide, deciding what inspections a project needs and issuing certificates of occupancy. Extra inspections beyond the norm on a new house or duplex carry a $75 surcharge, and building-official decisions can be appealed to the county board of code appeals.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Henrico County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Sec. 6-1. Enforcement of building code. (a) The building official administers and interprets the uniform statewide building code, which regulates the construction and maintenance of buildings and structures and provides procedures for its administration and enforcement. (b) For the purposes of this Code and other ordinances and resolutions of the board of supervisors, the uniform statewide building code may be referred to as the "building code." A copy is on file in the office of building construction and inspections.

Full Breakdown

Henrico County Code § 6-1 places enforcement of the Uniform Statewide Building Code in the hands of the building official, who administers and interprets the code governing construction and maintenance of buildings and structures countywide, and provides the procedures for its own administration and enforcement; a copy is kept on file with the office of building construction and inspections. Because Henrico adopts the state building code rather than writing its own inspection checklist, the specific inspection stages a project must pass, such as footing, framing and final, are set by that statewide code as administered locally.

00 surcharge for each inspection of a new one- or two-family dwelling that exceeds the average number of inspections typically performed for that type of structure, and that surcharge must be paid before a certificate of occupancy is issued. 00 for a temporary certificate of occupancy or its extension. Decisions the building official makes applying the building code, including disputes over required inspections, are appealable under § 6-2 to the county board of code appeals rather than to a court in the first instance.

Violations & Fines

Occupying or using a structure before the required inspections are completed and a certificate of occupancy is issued exposes an owner to enforcement action by the building official under the Uniform Statewide Building Code as adopted by § 6-1. Unpaid inspection surcharges under § 6-3(f) will hold up issuance of the certificate of occupancy until they are paid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who decides what inspections my Henrico building project needs?
The building official, who under Henrico County Code § 6-1 administers and interprets the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code for the county. That statewide code, not a separate county checklist, sets the specific construction stages that must be inspected before work can proceed.
Is there an extra charge if my house needs more inspections than usual?
Yes. Section 6-3(f) charges $75.00 for each inspection of a new one- or two-family dwelling that exceeds the average number normally performed for that type of home, and that surcharge must be paid before the certificate of occupancy is issued.
Can I appeal a building official's inspection decision?
Yes. Henrico County Code § 6-2 sends appeals from the building official's decisions applying the building code to the county board of code appeals, which is the designated body for resolving those disputes locally.
What if my plans get rejected more than once?
Section 6-3(k) charges a $25.00 fee for each additional plan review once the office of building construction and inspections has already reviewed the plans twice because of deficiencies or amendments the applicant made.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Henrico County

All Henrico County rules

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