Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Chesterfield County, VA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

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

Key Facts

New home plumbing permit
$228.00 per unit
Modular home plumbing permit
$114.00
Addition w/ rough-in inspection
$114.00, or $57.00 if pre-existing
Issuing authority
County building official
Minimum-cost exemption
Construction under $500 needing no other permit
Enabling code
Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code

Summary

Chesterfield County requires a building permit for plumbing work under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, with fees set by County Code § 5-5. A new single-family home's plumbing permit costs $228.00, an addition or conversion needing a rough-in inspection runs $114.00, and a mobile home on private property pays $57.00. The building official must issue the permit before installation begins.

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

(a)Generally. Except as provided in this section, every applicant for a building permit must pay the fees set forth in this section before the building official issues a building permit, as required by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. If an applicant makes a change in the scope of work, a permit amendment is required and additional fees may be assessed in accordance with this section. ... d.Plumbing: 1.New residential single-family dwellings, and condominiums, townhouses, and duplexes (per unit) .....228.00 2.Industrialized building (modular homes) .....114.00 3.Addition, renovation and conversion: (i)Where rough-in inspection is required .....114.00(ii)Where rough-in inspection is pre-existing .....57.00 4.Mobile or manufactured homes on private property .....57.00

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).

Full Breakdown

Chesterfield's building code chapter adopts the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) for 'all buildings and structures which are constructed, altered, repaired or converted in use and to all equipment associated with such buildings and structures' (§ 5-1), and the county's building official administers, supervises, and enforces it (§ 5-2). Under § 5-5(a), 'every applicant for a building permit must pay the fees set forth in this section before the building official issues a building permit, as required by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code,' and any change in the scope of work requires a permit amendment with additional fees.

00 for mobile or manufactured homes on private property. 00 or fraction of it. Every applicant pays the fees to the county treasurer when the application is filed with the building official, per § 5-5(c). 00 and would not otherwise require any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing permit at all; any project that does require plumbing work needs the permit regardless of its cost.

Violations & Fines

Chesterfield has no plumbing-specific fine; unpermitted plumbing work falls under the Code's general penalty in § 1-5, which applies whenever an act is declared unlawful without a stated punishment. Working without the required permit exposes the property owner or contractor to a fine of up to $2,500.00 and up to 30 days in jail, with each day the violation continues charged as a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a plumbing permit cost for a new house in Chesterfield County?
New plumbing installed in a single-family dwelling, condominium, townhouse or duplex costs $228.00 under County Code § 5-5(b)(3)(d). An industrialized or modular home's plumbing permit is $114.00, and adding plumbing during an addition or conversion that needs a rough-in inspection also runs $114.00, dropping to $57.00 once rough-in inspection is already established.
Who issues plumbing permits in Chesterfield County?
The county's building official, who administers and enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code under § 5-2, issues plumbing permits. Applicants file with the building official and pay the required fee to the county treasurer before the permit is issued, and any change in the scope of work triggers a permit amendment and possible additional fees under § 5-5(a).
Is there any project too small to need a plumbing permit?
Only if the entire project costs less than $500.00 and would not otherwise require an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing permit, per § 5-5(b)(7)a. Any job that does involve plumbing work, even a minor repair, still requires the standard plumbing permit and fee listed in the fee schedule.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Chesterfield County

All Chesterfield County rules

Compare Chesterfield County to another location·View the Virginia building safety overview

Get notified when Plumbing Permits in Chesterfield County, VA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.