Lynchburg, VA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

Section 11-2 of the Lynchburg City Code adopts the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Part I the Virginia Construction Code, Part II the Virginia Rehabilitation Code, and Part III the Virginia Maintenance Code, along with every code and standard referenced in them, as fully controlling within the city, and automatically incorporates all future editions and amendments the Commonwealth adopts. That adoption carries the plumbing provisions of the Virginia Construction Code into city law and is what the permit requirement in Division 5 of Chapter 11 enforces.

Section 11-78 requires that whenever plumbing, electrical, mechanical, gas, or other trades work requiring a permit is being performed, a master tradesman holding a valid, current trades card recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia must be in control of the work at all times; a homeowner working on their own residence is exempt only if they comply with Sec. 11-71's owner-builder rules, sign the required affidavit, and still obtain the permit and pay the fees, since Sec. 11-71 expressly does not excuse anyone from getting a permit or having the work inspected.

Section 11-121 makes commencing plumbing or other building work before obtaining the necessary permit its own violation, and Sec. 11-79 lets the building official refuse future permits to any contractor who repeatedly fails to follow the rules after written notice. Chapter 34's sewer connection rules tie back into the same permit system: Sec. 34-4(g) requires the licensed plumber on a sewer connection application to file written paperwork with the city, and the city issues the connection permit to that named plumber only once the requirements are met, with all resulting plumbing work required to conform to the plumbing code of the city.