Building permits in Virginia Beach — Virginia's most populous city — are issued by the Permits & Inspections Division within the Planning Department. Virginia Beach enforces the 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC), which took full effect January 18, 2025.
This Virginia Beach building permit guide covers what requires a permit, how to apply online, fees, trade permits, and inspections — so your project stays compliant from day one.
Virginia Beach is an independent city — it is not part of any county. The city handles all its own permitting, zoning, and inspections. Virginia Beach is part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan region.
What requires a building permit in Virginia Beach?
Under the 2021 VUSBC, a permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing the occupancy of most structures and systems. Common triggers include:
Permit required
- New residential and commercial construction, additions
- Structural and load-bearing alterations
- Reroofing, windows, siding, and exterior changes
- Electrical service changes and most wiring work
- HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Decks, pools, fences over 7 ft, accessory structures
- Change of occupancy or use
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, cabinetry, and cosmetic work
- One-story detached accessory structure ≤ 256 sq ft (not for habitation)
- Retaining walls ≤ 4 ft (not supporting a surcharge)
- Replacement of existing fixtures with same type/capacity
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 Virginia Beach?
The Permits & Inspections Division under Planning reviews plans, issues permits, and conducts inspections for Virginia Beach. Applications are submitted through the Accela Citizen Access portal. Counter reviews are available for smaller projects at the Municipal Center.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Permits & Inspections — Municipal Center, Building 3, 2403 Courthouse Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 |
| Phone | (757) 385-4211 |
| Online portal | Accela Citizen Access — aca-prod.accela.com/CVB/ |
| Covers | City of Virginia Beach (independent city) |
| Code cycle | 2021 VUSBC — effective January 18, 2025 |
| Counter reviews | Small residential/commercial per criteria — 3 business day turnaround |
Apply online through Accela Citizen Access. Create an account, upload documents, and pay fees. Smaller projects meeting specific criteria may be submitted at the counter at Municipal Center, Building 3. Online submissions receive initial review in three business days.
Virginia Beach building permit cost
Virginia Beach building permit fees are valuation-based. Residential permits start at $100 for the first $5,000 of estimated cost, plus $6 per additional $1,000. All permit fees include a mandatory 2% state levy.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Residential building permit | $100 for first $5,000 + $6 per additional $1,000 |
| Commercial building permit | $100 for first $5,000 + $7 per additional $1,000 |
| Plan review fee | 65% of the building permit fee |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Separate fee per trade — valuation-based |
| State levy | 2% added to all permit fees |
| Work-without-permit | Double fees + stop-work orders |
Want a precise number for a specific Virginia Beach project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Virginia Beach trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical (HVAC) permits are filed separately. Each requires a DPOR-licensed trade contractor.
Electrical permits
Required for service upgrades, panel work, solar PV, and most wiring — performed by a DPOR-licensed electrical contractor.
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heaters, fixture relocations, and gas piping — performed by a DPOR-licensed plumber.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC installations, changeouts, ductwork, and refrigeration — performed by a DPOR-licensed mechanical contractor.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Reroofs, decks, pools, fences over 7 feet, signs, and accessory structures are permitted separately. Demolition and land disturbance 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 Virginia Beach
Confirm zoning & land use
Verify zoning compliance through the Planning Department. Virginia Beach's zoning districts and the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act may affect your project.
Create Accela account & apply
Register on the Accela Citizen Access portal. Complete the building permit application and upload required documents.
Submit plans for review
Upload sealed construction plans. Counter submissions accepted for qualifying small projects at Municipal Center, Building 3.
Plan review & corrections
Staff reviews against 2021 VUSBC and local ordinances. Initial online review targets 3 business days. Revisions also processed in 3 business days.
Pay fees & receive permit
Once approved, pay all fees (including 2% state levy) and receive your permit. Post the permit card on site.
Schedule inspections through CO
Request inspections online or by phone. Maintain stamped approved plans on site (18×24 minimum for large projects). Final inspection required for Certificate of Occupancy.
Inspections in Virginia Beach
Inspections are conducted Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Per Virginia Construction Code Chapter 1, the minimum required inspections include footing/foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, and final. A copy of the permit must be posted in public view and stamped approved plans must be on-site at the time of each inspection.
Address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection; a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy or use.
Official Virginia Beach permitting resources
- 🏛️ Virginia Beach Permits & Inspections
- 💻 Accela Citizen Access portal
- 📋 Residential building permits — forms & info
- 🪪 VA DPOR — verify contractor licenses
- 📘 VA DHCD — building codes
- 🗺️ Virginia Beach Planning Department
Simplify Virginia Beach permitting with Alliance Permitting
Virginia Beach's large volume of residential and commercial permitting, its Accela online portal, and the Chesapeake Bay Preservation requirements reward applicants who assemble thorough packages from the start. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Virginia Beach — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know the Permits & Inspections Division process, so your Virginia Beach submissions move faster.
Trusted by leading builders and brands — including Dream Finders Homes, Tesla, Verizon, Hyatt, and Sunnova.
Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Virginia Beach because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know the Virginia Beach Permits & Inspections process, the Accela portal, and the 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 Virginia Beach building permit?
Get your Virginia Beach project permitted right the first time. Alliance Permitting prepares and files your application with the Permits & Inspections Division — so you build, not wait.
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 Virginia Beach Permits & Inspections Division before filing. This is not legal advice.