Building permits in Chesterfield County — a major suburb south of Richmond — are issued by the Building Inspection Department. Applications are submitted through the Enterprise Land Management (ELM) portal. Chesterfield enforces the 2021 VUSBC.
This guide covers permit requirements, the ELM portal, fees, trade permits, and inspections in Chesterfield County.
Chesterfield County is separate from the City of Richmond and the City of Colonial Heights — those independent cities have their own permitting. This guide covers unincorporated Chesterfield County.
What requires a building permit in Chesterfield County?
Under the 2021 VUSBC, a permit is required for most construction activities in Chesterfield County:
Permit required
- New construction, additions, and alterations
- Structural modifications
- Reroofing, windows, siding changes
- Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work
- Decks, pools, fences, and accessory structures
- Change of occupancy
- Demolition
- Land disturbance
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, and cosmetic work
- Detached accessory structure ≤ 256 sq ft
- Retaining walls ≤ 4 ft
- Same-type fixture replacements
Exemptions are narrow and scope-specific. When unsure, confirm with the building department before starting — see the penalty note below.
Get the permit issued before starting work. Building without one exposes the owner to penalties and stop-work orders. Note that exemption from a building permit does not exempt a project from zoning requirements — confirm edge cases with the building department.
Who handles permitting in Chesterfield County?
The Building Inspection Department handles plan review, permit issuance, and inspections. The ELM (Enterprise Land Management) portal allows online applications, document submissions, status tracking, and inspection requests.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Building Inspection — Chesterfield County, VA |
| Phone | (804) 748-1057 |
| Online portal | ELM Portal — chesterfield.gov |
| Covers | Chesterfield County (unincorporated) |
| Code cycle | 2021 VUSBC — effective January 18, 2025 |
| Documents | PDF submissions accepted through ELM |
Apply through the ELM portal. The Enterprise Land Management portal allows online permit applications, plan submissions as PDFs, fee payments, status tracking, and inspection scheduling. Most documents can be submitted electronically.
Chesterfield County building permit cost
Chesterfield County permit fees are valuation-based. A mandatory 2% state levy applies to all fees.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Residential building permit | Valuation-based |
| Commercial building permit | Valuation-based |
| Plan review fee | Included in permit structure |
| Trade permits | Separate fees per trade |
| State levy | 2% on all permit fees |
| Work-without-permit | Double fees + enforcement |
Want a precise number for a specific Chesterfield County project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Chesterfield County trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits filed separately through the ELM portal.
Electrical permits
Required for service upgrades, panel work, solar PV, and wiring — DPOR-licensed electrical contractor required.
Plumbing permits
Required for plumbing, repipes, water heaters, and gas work — DPOR-licensed plumber required.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC installations, changeouts, and ductwork — DPOR-licensed mechanical contractor required.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Land disturbance, stormwater, and site plan permits follow additional review tracks.
Verify your contractor's license. Virginia requires a state contractor license issued by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) for any project valued over $1,000. Licenses are classed by project value: Class A ($120,000+ per project), Class B ($10,000–$120,000), and Class C ($1,000–$10,000). Each class requires specific experience, education, and financial qualifications. Homeowners may perform work on their own primary residence without a contractor license, but all permits and inspections still apply. Verify licensure at dpor.virginia.gov.
How to get a building permit in Chesterfield County
Confirm zoning compliance
Check zoning requirements for the property before applying.
Register on ELM & apply
Create an ELM portal account. Submit the permit application with all required documents.
Submit plans for review
Upload construction documents (PDF format) through the ELM portal.
Plan review & corrections
Staff reviews against 2021 VUSBC. Address comments and resubmit.
Pay fees & receive permit
Pay all fees including 2% state levy through the portal.
Schedule inspections through CO
Request inspections through the ELM portal. Final inspection required for CO.
Inspections in Chesterfield County
Schedule inspections through the ELM portal. Standard checkpoints include footing/foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, and final.
Address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection; a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy or use.
Official Chesterfield County permitting resources
- 🏛️ Chesterfield County Permits
- 📋 Chesterfield County
- 🪪 VA DPOR — verify licenses
- 📘 VA DHCD — building codes
Simplify Chesterfield County permitting with Alliance Permitting
Chesterfield County's ELM portal and structured review process reward complete, well-organized submissions. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Chesterfield County — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know the Building Inspection Department process, so your Chesterfield County submissions move faster.
Trusted by leading builders and brands — including Dream Finders Homes, Tesla, Verizon, Hyatt, and Sunnova.
Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Chesterfield County because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know Chesterfield County Building Inspection, the ELM portal, and 2021 VUSBC requirements.
- Complete oversight — track every permit and inspection across all your jobs in one place.
- Error-free submissions — AI pre-checks plus expert review catch issues before they become correction cycles.
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the building department through issuance — including preparing private-provider documentation where that option is available. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
Need a Chesterfield County building permit?
Get your Chesterfield County project permitted right. Alliance Permitting navigates the ELM portal.
More Virginia permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of June 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with the Chesterfield County Building Inspection Department before filing. This is not legal advice.