Building Safety in Virginia Beach, VA (2026)
7 verified building safety rules for Virginia Beach, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Lead Paint
Virginia Beach bans lead-based paint on any surface of a dwelling used by children and requires existing lead paint be removed or covered.
Lead-Based Paint Rules in Virginia Beach
Significant RestrictionsVirginia Beach City Code § 16-32
It shall be unlawful for any person to use or apply, or to cause to be used or applied, any lead-based paint or substance to an interior surface, or to an exterior surface accessible to children, of any dwelling, dwelling unit or other building or facility occupied or used by children. Existing interior and exterior surfaces ... which contain lead-based paint or other substances shall be remove...
Elevator Maintenance
Virginia Beach requires annual safety tests for elevators and escalators, plus a five-year full-load test for cable elevators, with inspection fees set by city code.
Elevator Inspection Rules in Virginia Beach
Some RestrictionsVirginia Beach City Code § 8-33(d)
(d)For annual inspections of elevators and escalators, the fees shall be as follows:(1)Annual safety test and inspection:a.Tractor/cable elevator—$100.00.b.Hydraulic elevator—$100.00.c.Freight elevators—$100.00.d.Escalator—$100.00.(2)Five-year full rate load safety test and inspection:a.Tractor/cable elevators—$300.00.(e)On any mechanical, life safety, elevator or gas work commenced before a me...
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Virginia Beach requires interconnected smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in every short-term rental, verified through mandatory zoning inspections at permitting and again every five years under City Zoning Ordinance § 241.2(13).
Virginia Beach Short-Term Rental CO Detector Rule
Some RestrictionsVirginia Beach City Zoning Ordinance § 241.2(13)
...all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are installed in accordance with the building code in affect at the time of construction and interconnected. Units constructed prior to interconnection requirements must have a minimum of one (1) smoke alarm installed on every floor of the structure and in the areas adjacent to all sleeping rooms and when activated, be audible in all sleeping ro...
Building Permits
Virginia Beach requires a building permit and Division of Permits and Inspections sign-off before any construction, alteration, repair, or demolition begins, with fees scaled by project type and extra charges for failed reinspections.
Virginia Beach Building Permits & Inspections
Some RestrictionsVirginia Beach City Code § 8-31(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, enlarge, alter, repair or demolish any building or structure as defined in the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code without first obtaining a building permit therefor and paying the permit fees set forth in this section.
Electrical Permits
Virginia Beach requires an electrical permit for wiring work under the Uniform Statewide Building Code, with a minimum $50 fee per permit through the Permits and Inspections Division.
Electrical Permits Required in Virginia Beach
Some RestrictionsVirginia Beach City Code § 8-34
(a)The fee for a permit for electrical work, as required by the building code, shall be as specified in this section.(b)There shall be charged a minimum fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each permit issued.(c)For a permit issued for a temporary service, such as a trailer, house meter or meter loop added to an existing service, the fee shall be fifty dollars ($50.00).(d)For a permit for any spec...
Plumbing Permits
Plumbing work in Virginia Beach requires a permit under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, with a $50 base fee plus per-fixture charges before work begins.
Plumbing Permits in Virginia Beach
Some RestrictionsVirginia Beach City Code § 8-32
The fee for a permit for plumbing work, as required by the building code, shall be fifty dollars ($50.00) and, in addition thereto, the following: (1) Each plumbing fixture, floor drain or tap: Six dollars ($6.00). (2) Each house sewer connection: Thirty dollars ($30.00). (3) Each house water connection: Thirty dollars ($30.00).
Building Inspections
Virginia Beach's Division of Permits and Inspections can bill $75 for each extra inspection visit caused by uncorrected faulty work, a premature request, or blocked site access, due before final approval.
Building Inspection Fees & Process
Some RestrictionsVirginia Beach City Code § 8-56
Whenever an inspector for the division of permits and inspections shall determine that inspections, in addition to those required in this division, are necessary owing to the failure of a contractor or other person to properly correct faulty work, or where a contractor or other person has requested an inspection before the work to be inspected has been completed to the degree required, or where...