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New Residence

The following permits are required for new residences:

  • Building permit
  • Auxiliary permits: One or more of the following permits may be required, depending on the scope of work: electrical permit, gas permit, mechanical permit, plumbing permit
  • Land Disturbing Activity Permit
  • Virginia Stormwater Management Permit (VSMPR)

Application Submission Requirements

  • Building Permit Application (PDF)
  • Plot plan showing setbacks from existing and proposed improvements. Acceptable plot plans contain the following:
    • Entire property, showing all property line dimensions.
    • Existing dwelling, any other existing structures and the proposed structure location (clearly indicate all proposed structure dimensions). For proposed accessory structures, indicate the overall height.
    • Setbacks from the closest point of the proposed structure to property lines in each direction. Label the measurements from each property line to the closest point on the structure. Be as exact as possible and clearly label the road name.
    • All buffers or easements located on your property (no structure may be located in these areas).
  • Construction plans (two or more copies) - We'll return one copy to you with the issued permit.
  • Engineered soil reports (two copies) - Required to be prepared by a soil scientist or geotechnical engineer and submitted with each set of construction plans for all new houses.
  • LDA (Erosion) Permit Application (Must be issued and initial inspection completed before the Building Permit will be issued)
  • VSMP Application (PDF) (No fee for application and review, as VSMP may not be required. $290 fee will be due at time of Building Permit Issuance, if VSMP required)
  • Copy of receipt of payment to Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) and York County for sewer connection fees or a copy of septic system permit approval from the State Department of Health, showing locations of tank and drain field plus the 100% reserve drain field.
  • Copy of the Land Use Permit (LUP) from VDOT
  • Plan review fee of $90 (Additional $110 for LDA Permit fee, if applied for simultaneously)

Construction Plan Requirements

Construction plans require two or more copies that include:

  • Attic and attic floor framing plan
  • Basement plan
  • Elevations
  • First floor and first floor framing plan
  • A footing and foundation plan
  • A plat showing the location of the new structure to existing property lines
  • Roof and roof framing plan
  • Second floor and second floor framing plan
  • Shrink/swell soil report
  • Structural cross section(s)
  • Flood Elevation Certificate, if located within the floodplain

Plan Detail Requirements

General requirements for all construction drawings include:

  • Numbered - Number each plan sheet.
  • Scale - Draw structural plans to architectural scale (typically 1/4 inches, 3/16 inches or 1/8 inches).
  • Legible - Make sure the plans are neat and legible (no handwritten notes).
  • Orientation - Lay out all drawings in the same orientation (portrait or landscape).

Non-structural details:

  • Do not submit mechanical, electrical or plumbing (MEP) drawings. Plan reviewers do not review these for residential plans. The field inspectors check for those issues.
  • Do not submit cabinetry, stair or non-structural details. They are not reviewed.

Plan View Requirements

Plan views are required for footing and foundation, basement, first floor, second floor, attic, roof and framing plans. These plan views must include:

  • Perimeter and interior dimensions
  • Room names on each floor plan
  • Size and location of all doors and windows
  • All interior load-bearing walls identified
  • All beams, including garage door headers, identified. For all beams carrying more than 4,000 lbs., identify the column on each end.
  • Size and direction of all floor joists and ceiling joists
    • For I-joists or open-web joists, provide manufacturer's layout plan.
    • Identification on plans similar to:
      • Nominal lumber: 2 by 8 SYP at 16 inches on center (o.c.)
      • I-joists: Truss Joist, Series 230, 11 feet 7/8 inches, 16 inches o.c.
  • Braced wall lines and the accompanying braced wall panel method(s) with calculation(s) clearly listed on each floor plan
  • Full height, two-story walls (i.e. walls over 12 feet tall) engineered by a registered design professional
  • Attic plan for all attics accessed by a permanent stair
  • Any space intended for "future" use marked accordingly
  • Each rafter or truss individually drawn to show bearing. All overbuilt roofs identified.
  • For structures with truss roofs, provide truss layout and individual truss detail sheets. The truss detail sheets do not need to be individually sealed for plan review, but must be sealed by a registered design professional at the time of inspection.
  • Sections:
    • At least one "through-structure" section, cut from the front to the rear of the structure, in a location that will show any non-standard section, such as a two-story family room or a room with a vaulted ceiling.
    • If there are multiple complicated spaces, separate sections to show all of the structure.
    • Section cut lines (arrows) referenced on the plan views.
  • Elevations:
    • Two elevations (from the front and side). Show the exterior finishes.
    • If it has a basement, include elevations showing approximate grade changes, doors and windows.