Building Safety in Richmond, VA (2026)
5 verified building safety rules for Richmond, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Lead Paint
Richmond City Code makes owners of pre-1978 dwellings and child-occupied facilities responsible for keeping painted surfaces free of peeling, chipping, cracking or flaking paint once lead hazards are confirmed, or removing or covering the leaded areas in a manner the City approves. The District Health Department enforces the duty through risk assessments, notices of violation, and reinspection deadlines.
Richmond Lead-Based Paint Hazard Duty
Significant RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 15-105
The owner of a dwelling unit where the interior or exterior painted surfaces of the dwelling unit, including fences and outbuildings, contain hazardous lead levels or constitute a lead-based paint hazard shall maintain that property in a condition free from peeling, chipping, cracking and flaking paint or shall remove or cover all leaded areas in a manner approved by the City.(b)Child-occupied ...
Elevator Maintenance
Richmond charges building owners an annual elevator routine test fee of $150.00 to $200.00 depending on the number of floors served, plus a separate $125.00 annual routine inspection and a $40.00 certificate processing fee. The Commissioner of Buildings enforces the Uniform Statewide Building Code's elevator standards citywide.
Richmond Elevator Annual Test and Fee Rules
Some RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 5-5
Elevator test (includes coordinated routine inspections) Cable elevators (annual routine test fee) 1-4 floors/openings $150.00 5-10 floors/openings $175.00 10 floors/openings $200.00 Cable hydraulic (annual routine test fee) $150.00 Hydraulic (annual routine test fee) $150.00 Escalator (annual routine test fee) $150.00 Miscellaneous for units not listed above (annual routine test fee) $100.00 R...
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Every Richmond short-term rental must have carbon monoxide detectors installed in compliance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, alongside required smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher, and the operator must post a labeled floor plan showing where the detectors are located, under Section 30-697.1.
Richmond Short-Term Rental CO Detector Rule
Some RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 30-697.1(4),(5),(6),(7)
(4) ... d.The location of fire and carbon monoxide detectors.(5)Smoke detectors shall be present in compliance with the current edition of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.(6)A fire extinguisher shall be present in compliance with the current edition of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.(7)Carbon monoxide detectors shall be present in compliance with the current edition o...
Building Permits
Richmond requires a permit before construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, repair, maintenance or equipment installation on any building or structure. The Bureau of Permits and Inspections in the Department of Planning and Development Review issues permits under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, adopted locally by reference, with fees set by City Council based on the value of work.
When a Building Permit Is Required in Richmond
Some RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 5-2
The construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, repair, maintenance or use of structures and buildings within the City, and installation of equipment therein, shall be governed by the Uniform Statewide Building Code as promulgated by the State Board of Housing and Community Development, together with the local fee schedule.
Building Inspections
Richmond requires a valid Bureau of Permits and Inspections permit before starting covered work; starting early still costs the full permit fee and can draw prosecution. Inspectors charge $32.00 to $63.00 for a missed or failed inspection, and $110.00 an hour for after-hours calls.
Richmond Building Permit and Inspection Rules
Some RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 5-9
Any person who shall commence any work subject to this chapter without first obtaining a proper permit when required shall, when subsequently obtaining such permit, pay the fee for the entire amount of work covered by the permit. Payment of such fee shall not preclude prosecution for a violation of the Uniform Statewide Building Code for commencing work without a permit. Any person issued a sto...