Building a custom home in Virginia Beach is one of the most rewarding investments you can make, but navigating the building permit process can feel daunting. At JM Froehler Construction, a trusted custom home builder in Virginia Beach, we make the complex permitting process straightforward. Whether you’re building a brand-new home or remodeling an existing one, understanding the types of permits required and the steps involved is crucial to ensure your project’s success.
Below, we break down everything you need to know about the building permit application process in Virginia Beach, so you can focus on bringing your vision to life.
Why Building Permits Matter
Building permits serve a critical role in ensuring your construction project complies with local building codes, zoning laws, and environmental regulations. They exist to safeguard your investment, ensure legal compliance, and promote the safety of both builders and future occupants. For custom home projects, obtaining permits ensures a smooth and lawful progression of the construction project.
In 2022, the Virginia Beach-Norfolk, VA-NC metropolitan area issued building permits at 3.48 per 1,000 population, including 2.03 for single-family units and 1.45 for multi-family homes, reflecting development among areas with populations over 500,000.
Key Benefits of Proper Permitting:
- Ensures Safety and Compliance: Virginia Beach building permits ensure that all construction meets safety codes, protecting occupants. For example, improperly installed electrical systems can pose fire risks.
- Boosts Property Value: Homes with documented, permitted renovations hold greater market value and are more attractive to potential buyers.
- Avoids Legal and Financial Penalties: Obtaining a permit prevents fines, legal issues, and the potential for forced demolition of unauthorized work.
For instance, imagine starting construction on a sunroom addition without a permit. Halfway through the project, a neighbor files a complaint, triggering an inspection. Without a permit, you could face fines, delays, or even be forced to remove the structure. Acquisition of Virginia Beach building permits avoids such disasters and offers both homeowners and general contractors peace of mind from start to finish.
Types of Building Permits in Virginia Beach
The Virginia Beach Department of Planning and Community Development issues building permits, requiring plans and documents to meet the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). Here are the different types of building permits:
Residential Permits
If you’re working on residential construction or alterations, City of Virginia Beach building permits are often mandatory to ensure safety and compliance. Major changes to structural elements, walls, or egress points typically require approval.
Residential building permits typically need submission of 2 copies of the site plan, construction plans, paid public utilities receipt, general contractor’s and property owner’s details, construction cost, and house size, among other information.
Here’s a breakdown of projects needing permits:
- Structural Alterations: Removing walls, beams, or other structural components.
- Use Changes: Converting garages, screened porches, or other non-living spaces into livable areas.
- Additions: Building new rooms, carports, garages (attached or detached), or screened-in porches.
- Other Structures: Decks, fences, chimneys, sheds over 256 square feet, in-ground pools and above-ground pools, hot tubs, gazebos, and portable buildings.
Even seemingly minor projects, like waterfront construction or adjustments in Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas, may require permits.
For example, one of our clients in Virginia Beach wanted to add a two-story addition to their coastal home. To ensure the project complied with setback requirements and flood zone regulations, we obtained the necessary residential permits and saved them from potential legal hurdles.
Commercial Permits
Commercial permits are required for projects involving business-related buildings or structures. These permits ensure that projects meet safety, zoning, and fire code requirements to protect business owners, employees, and customers.
While submitting an application form for a commercial building construction, include 2 copies of site plan approved by the Zoning Office, paid public utilities receipt, contractor’s information, construction cost, size, and type, approval for business location/use, and other documentation.
Examples of commercial projects requiring Virginia Beach building permits include:
- Structural Changes: Cutting walls and beams or altering egress points (like emergency exits).
- Use Modifications: Converting storage areas into functional spaces or adding new entrances.
- Additions and Expansions: Building new rooms, expanding floor space, or adding garages or porches.
- Other Features: Decks, fences, detached structures (sheds greater than 256 square feet, gazebos), in-ground pools and above-ground pools, hot tubs, or portable buildings.
Even projects involving demolition or lot line adjustments impacting structures require permits. Proper approval of necessary permits ensures your project meets all regulations.
This permit type is more complex than residential ones and often requires approval from multiple city departments. JM Froehler Construction has extensive experience navigating these intricacies for our commercial clients, ensuring seamless execution.
Specialty Permits
Specialty permits address specific technical components of construction projects. These Virginia Beach building permits are essential for ensuring specialized systems meet local safety and operational standards.
Common specialty permits include:
- Electrical permits for new wiring or system upgrades
- Plumbing permits for system installations or repairs
- Mechanical permits for HVAC installations or replacements
- Construction permits for specialized features such as swimming pools, spas, fireplaces, or boat lifts
In one project, we assisted a homeowner in installing a geothermal HVAC system. Specialty permits were required to ensure the system met both local and state environmental codes. Our expertise allowed us to manage the application process efficiently, avoiding delays.
Steps to Obtain a Virginia Beach Building Permit
1. Prepare Documentation
The first step in obtaining Virginia Beach building permits is gathering all the necessary documents and plans. These permit requirements include:
- Site Plans: Detailed layouts of your property that illustrate existing and proposed structures, setbacks, easements, and utility layouts. For example, if you’re building a deck, the site plan approved by the Zoning Office and the Development Services Center must show how it aligns with property boundaries and zoning requirements.
- Construction Plans: Blueprints detailing the foundation, framing, roof, and other essential components. These must be signed and sealed by a licensed architect or engineer to ensure they comply with safety standards and building codes.
- Zoning Compliance Documentation: This confirms your project adheres to local zoning laws, such as allowable building height, usage type, and setback distances.
- Environmental Impact Assessments: These are often required for projects in sensitive areas, evaluating factors like stormwater runoff, soil erosion, or effects on local wildlife.
Submitting complete and accurate documentation is essential to avoid delays or rejection during the review process. JM Froehler Construction ensures all documents meet city requirements before submission.
2. Submit Your Application
Virginia Beach offers an online platform, the Accela Citizen Access portal, for submitting building permit applications. This platform allows you to submit your documents, pay the required fees, and monitor the status of your applications. For small-scale construction projects, users may submit applications in person at the city’s Permits & Inspections office, although these must meet specific criteria.
When submitting, ensure all fees are paid and forms are filled out completely. Missing details, such as the contractor’s licensing information or the estimated construction cost, incomplete documentation, and non-compliance with building codes may result in a permit application rejection.
3. Plan Review
Once your building permit application is submitted, it undergoes a comprehensive review by various city departments. Officials evaluate the proposed project’s compliance with building codes, zoning laws, and environmental standards. This step often involves multiple reviews from departments like zoning, fire safety, and environmental services.
For instance, when JM Froehler Construction built a custom waterfront home in Virginia Beach, the plan review ensured compliance with FEMA floodplain regulations and local ordinances related to coastal construction. By proactively addressing potential concerns, we avoided delays and received approval promptly.
4. Permit Issuance
After the plan review is complete and all requirements are satisfied, the City of Virginia Beach will issue your building permit. This document means you can begin construction and it must be displayed at the site throughout the project. It specifies any conditions that must be met, such as building inspections required at different construction stages.
5. Inspections
During construction, inspections are conducted at critical stages to ensure compliance with approved plans and safety standards. Building inspections are usually scheduled within 24 to 48 in advance. to prevent project delays. During the inspection, a building inspector will check aspects like structural integrity, electrical wiring, plumbing fixtures, and fire safety measures, followed by a final walkthrough.
In case any issues are identified during the initial review, they are referred to as “corrections” or deficiencies”. Once rectified, your Virginia Beach builder can schedule a re-inspection, keeping the project on track.
6. Final Approval
The last step is the final approval and issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). This certificate confirms that the structure is safe and meets all building codes. Without a CO, the property cannot legally be occupied or sold.
Costs of Virginia Beach Building Permits
Each permit type incurs associated fees. For new commercial buildings and alterations, the fee is $50.00, plus an additional $8.00 for every 100 square feet or portion thereof. If the commercial building isn’t heated, the permit fees decrease to $4.00 per 100 square feet. Commercial alterations charge $50.00 plus $5.00 per $1000 of construction value.
For residential new constructions and additions, the fee is $50.00 plus $7.00 per 100 square feet or any fraction thereof. Permit fees for a non-heated residential structure drop to $3.00 per 100 square feet. Residential alterations cost $50.00 plus $5.00 per $1000 of construction value.
To submit a commercial building plan for review, applicants have to provide a $200 deposit while residential plan review needs a $100 deposit. To understand the details of the City of Virginia Beach building permit fees for both residential and commercial buildings, visit the official website.
Common Challenges in the Permitting Process and How to Avoid Them
Incomplete or Incorrect Applications
Submitting incomplete applications is a leading cause of delays. The permit application review process in Virginia Beach generally takes a few business days. However, missing documents, incorrect measurements, or outdated site plans can all result in rejections.
JM Froehler Construction, an expert custom home builder in VA Beach, thoroughly reviews all paperwork and ensures all permit requirements are fulfilled before submission.
Inspection Failures
Failed inspections often occur due to non-compliance with building codes or deviations from approved plans. Our team closely monitors each stage of construction, ensuring all work adheres to the specifications outlined in your permit.
Expired Permits
If construction doesn’t begin or make significant progress within the permit’s validity period (typically 12 months), the permit may expire. We track timelines for Virginia Beach building permits and handle renewals or extensions as needed, keeping your project on schedule.
Why Choose JM Froehler Construction?
At JM Froehler Construction, we understand that navigating the Virginia Beach building permit process can be overwhelming. Here’s how we can help:
- Expertise: With years of experience as custom home builders in Virginia Beach, we are familiar with the ins and outs of the permitting process, additional fees, and building inspectors.
- Time-Saving: We handle all the legwork, from preparing site plans to scheduling inspections so that you can focus on your vision.
- Compliance-Driven: Our team ensures every detail aligns with local regulations, reducing risks of delays or legal issues.
- Personalized Service: Whether it’s a luxury waterfront home or a small remodel, we tailor our approach to meet your needs.
Let us make your dream home a reality while ensuring a smooth, hassle-free permitting process.
Conclusion
Navigating the Virginia Beach building permits is essential for the success of your construction project. From obtaining the right permits to managing inspections, understanding each step ensures legal compliance, safety, and long-term value. At JM Froehler Construction, we’ve helped countless homeowners and businesses in Virginia Beach simplify this complex process, allowing them to focus on their vision while we handle the logistics.
Let our expertise in custom homes and the Virginia Beach building permit process ease your journey. For more detailed information, contact us and schedule a consultation today. Get a quote for your next residential project in VA Beach!