BUILDING SAFETY HAS MOVED!

To better assist our citizens and contractors, the Building Safety Division has relocated to 100 County Drive, Suite B to be closer to our counterparts in Planning and Development Services.  

Permit Fees - New Fee Schedule

As of July 1, 2025, all permits (with the exception of LDA, VSMP and non-permanent Amusement Device permits) will have a technology fee of $5 assessed to offset costs of software programs utilized for permit processing, issuance and record keeping.

Building Safety Regular Office Hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 p.m.

2026 Business Licenses Due by March 1st

Please have your business license submitted to bldgsafety@yorkcounty.gov. No permits will be issued after March 1st without an updated (2026) business license. For more information, see the Business Taxes webpage.

The 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC) became fully effective January 18, 2025. All permits issued after January 18, 2025 will be subject to the 2021 VUSBC. Permits that were issued prior to the effective date of the 2021 codes will be inspected under the VUSBC in effect at the time that the permits were issued.

Online portal for permitting and inspections

In our continued effort to provide our customers with the most efficient and cost effective ways to work with us, we are introducing a new customer service online portal to assist in the permitting and inspection process. It will increase the availability of permit information and reduce the need for in-person visits and phone calls. Those who do business with this office will be able to track current projects and submit requests for new items using the portal. However, it will require that all of our customers have a portal account set up.  

If you are a contractor or homeowner needing access to this new online service, please fill out the registration form here.

After filling out and submitting the form, we will make sure the account is active. As part of the registration, all of your current projects will be linked to your account. Once your account is active, you must use the online portal to request inspections.

The quick reference guide on how to use the portal, request inspections and view permit information can be found here. 

Responsibility

The Division of Building Safety is responsible for monitoring all types of building construction in the county to ensure that it meets minimum code requirements and the expectations of occupants for structural integrity, workmanship and safety.

Objectives

The Division of Building Safety objectives are:

• To conduct inspections on all buildings under construction and buildings hazardous to the public within the jurisdiction.
• To coordinate and consult with Public Safety Officials, Health Department and State Building Code Officials.
• To coordinate with Dominion Energy and Virginia Natural Gas on all power and gas installations.
• To enforce the County building regulations and related codes.
• To prepare monthly and yearly reports on all building activities.
• To provide assistance to other departments, agencies and commissions.
• To provide comments and code requirements to builders, developers and citizens of the County.
• To provide expert testimony for litigation.
• To provide guidance and administrative support to the Building Code Appeals Board.
• To receive and review residential and commercial building plans for structural, plumbing, mechanical and electrical requirements.
• To receive fees and process receipts from permit activities.

Other initiatives include training of sub-contractors who are not members of the Peninsula Home Builders Association and to meet with the Builders Association on a quarterly basis.