Building Safety in Portsmouth, VA (2026)
8 verified building safety rules for Portsmouth, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Lead Paint
Once Portsmouth's building officials or health department notify a property owner that a residential building has unlawful levels of lead-based paint, the owner must tell prospective buyers in writing before any purchase agreement or deed is signed. Owners who skip this notice are liable for resulting damages plus a civil penalty of up to $1,000.00.
Portsmouth Lead Paint Sale Disclosure Rule
Some RestrictionsSec. 17-29(a), (c)
(a)Whenever any property owner has been notified by any representative of the department of permits and inspections, the local building official, or any representative of the city health department that any residential premises has levels of lead-based paint in violation of the Uniform Statewide Building Code, such property owner shall notify prospective purchasers in writing of the presence of...
Elevator Maintenance
Portsmouth requires periodic safety inspections on every elevator, dumbwaiter, moving stairway, moving walk and manlift in the city. City Code § 7-136 sets a six-month check plus annual, three-year and five-year inspections, each with its own fee under appendix A.
Portsmouth Elevator Inspection Schedule
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 7-136
For periodic inspections made on elevators, dumbwaiters, moving stairs, moving walks and manlifts in accordance with the building code, a processing fee and the following inspection fees as set forth in appendix A to this Code shall apply unless otherwise provided:(1)Six-month inspection.(2)Annual hydraulic inspection.(3)Annual traction inspection.(4)Three-year inspection.(5)Five-year inspectio...
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
Portsmouth requires automatic fire suppression systems in any building 50 feet or taller if the building permit was issued after July 1, 1986, under City Code § 13-1. The requirement applies citywide regardless of occupancy type and ties to the building permit issuance date, not construction completion.
Portsmouth Fire Sprinkler Rule for Tall Buildings
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 13-1
Fire suppression systems shall be installed and maintained in full operating condition in buildings 50 feet or more in height for which building permits are issued after July 1, 1986.
Green Building Code
Portsmouth has no mandatory green building code; instead, Sec. 40.2-310 rewards voluntary LEED or Energy Star construction with zoning bonuses of up to 20 percent added density, 20-24 extra feet of height, and 15 percent more building coverage.
Portsmouth Green Building Density Bonus
Few RestrictionsPortsmouth, VA Zoning Ordinance Sec. 40.2-310, Table 40.2-310(2)
B Meet minimum Energy Star (or equivalent) criteria for at least 75 percent of the residential floor area / AA Design the building to achieve a minimum LEED certification of platinum (credited as provision of two schedule "A" features) / A Design the building to achieve a minimum LEED certification of gold / B Design the building to achieve a minimum LEED certification of silver
Building Permits
Portsmouth enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code as its own building code, and City Code § 7-102 makes it a misdemeanor to start construction, alteration, repair or demolition before pulling the required permit from the department of permits and inspections.
Portsmouth Building Permit Requirement
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code §§ 7-96, 7-102
There is hereby adopted by the city for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations for the construction, alteration, repair, removal, demolition, equipment, use and occupancy of buildings and structures, including permits and penalties, that certain code known as the "Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code," and the accumulative supplements thereto and the amendments thereto... and the...
Electrical Permits
Electrical work in Portsmouth needs its own permit and inspection under City Code § 7-133, with fees scaled by amperage: a flat minimum permit charge, per-50-ampere increments for new or changed single- and three-phase services, and separate line items for temporary construction power and pool equipment.
Portsmouth Electrical Permit Fees
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 7-133
(a)The fees for electrical permits shall be as set forth in appendix A to this Code for the following categories:(1)Minimum permit fee.(2)a.Temporary service, 60 amperes.b.Temporary service, 100 amperes.c.Temporary service for construction regardless of amperage.(3)a.Fees for new services whether single- or three-phase include all circuits, motors, generators and other derivations of an electri...
Plumbing Permits
Plumbing work in Portsmouth requires its own permit under City Code § 7-134, with the department of permits and inspections charging a base permit fee plus separate inspection fees for every fixture, sewer line, water service and water heater involved.
Portsmouth Plumbing Permit Fees
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 7-134
(a)For each plumbing permit issued, the permit fee shall be as set forth in appendix A to this Code.(b)In addition to the permit fee required in subsection (a) of this section, there shall be inspection fees as set forth in appendix A to this Code for the following:(1)For each plumbing fixture or trap placed or replaced, or removed from one place to another, and for each place roughed-in for a ...
Building Inspections
Every stage of permitted construction in Portsmouth has to pass inspection by the department of permits and inspections, or a building-official-designated third party, before work is deemed complete. City Code § 7-101 lets inspectors demand extra visits and charges a reinspection fee for each recheck.
Portsmouth Building Inspection Requirements
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 7-101
The inspections required under the provisions of the building code shall be performed by an inspector from the department of permits and inspections, or by a third party designated by the building official upon notification from the permit holder or such holder's agent. Such inspector shall either approve that portion of the work as completed or shall notify the permit holder or his agent where...