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Policies & Procedures

Policies and procedures have been developed to clarify the process for complying with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. The policies and procedures are organized as follows:

Administrative/General: These policies and procedures have broad application to the development and building process. These policies and procedures may apply to administrative requirements; residential and commercial construction; or the plan review permitting and inspection process.

Commercial: These policies and procedures apply to the commercial development and building process where projects are designed and constructed in accordance with the International Building Code.

Residential Plan Review: These policies and procedures apply to the design and plan review process for residential one and two family dwellings where projects are designed in accordance with the International Residential Code.

Residential Inspections: These policies and procedures apply to the construction and inspection process for residential one and two family dwellings where projects designed in accordance with the International Residential Code.

If you have questions or need clarifications on the policies and procedures contact us at [email protected] or 703-792-6930.

  SECTION EFFECTIVE DATE
  1. Administrative/General  
1 1.03 Abandoned Building and Permits Applications 04/25/2022
2 1.05. Amusement Device Permits/Inspections 08/22/2019
3 1.07. Building Code Exemption - Farm Structures 08/12/2019
4 1.1. Building Code Interpretations (Web page) -
5 1.2. Building Development Fee Schedule 07/01/2023
6 1.3. Development Services ePortal (Web portal) 11/12/2014
7 1.4. Building Pad Certification 07/01/2009
8 1.4.5. Building Permit, Building Inspection Records & Certificate of Occupancies History 04/25/2022
9 1.5. Commercial Partial Permitting Process for Shell Buildings 11/12/2015
10 1.6. Contact Information Form 05/09/2014
11 1.6.3. Electrical and Plumbing Inspection Certification Program 03/13/2015
12 1.6.4. Electrical Generators Permitting and Inspections 11/14/2019
13 1.6.5. Equipment/Furniture Storage Request 04/01/2010
14 1.6.7. Fire Resistance Ratings Methods 05/22/2019
15 1.6.9. Gas Fired Tankless Water Heaters 10/29/2020
16 1.6.9.5 Inspections - Certifications Electronic Submissions 11/15/2022
17 1.7. Inspections – Field Revisions 05/22/2019
18 1.8. Inspections – Not Ready for Inspection 10/15/2009
19 1.9. Inspections – Posting Permits 10/10/2003
20 1.10. Inspections – Scheduling Overtime Inspections 07/01/2009
21 1.11. Registered Design Professional Sealing of Plans 01/06/2020
22 1.12. Retaining Wall Safety Devices 07/19/2019
23 1.13. Soils - Use of Lime during Construction 09/04/2007
24 1.13.5. Soils - Expansive Soil 01/09/2009
25 1.13.7. Solar Energy Systems 09/01/2023
26 1.14. Special Inspections Manual 10/26/2015
27 1.14.3. Special Inspections - Submission of Electronic Documents 11/01/2009
28 1.14.5. Special Inspections - Field Revisions 04/07/2011
29 1.15. Story Above Grade Plane 07/19/2019
30 1.15.5 Takeover Permitting Process 04/15/2022
31 1.16. Third Party Building Inspection Certification Program 10/29/2019
32 1.17. Third Party Inspection Certification Program (Leftover Inspections) 05/05/2006
33 1.18. Third Party Inspection Certification Program for Minor Critical Projects 11/07/2011
34 1.19. Post-Damage and Recovery Process 07/10/2023
  2. Commercial  
1 2.05. Commercial Project Management Program 11/01/2013
2 2.1. Building Plan Review Priority Processing 10/15/2009
3 2.2. Expedited Plan Review Program 11/12/2015
4 2.3. Resubmission-Revision Policy 01/18/2012
5 2.4. Joint Occupancy Evaluation (JOE) Program 03/31/2023
6 2.5. Framing and Rough-In Permit 11/12/2015
7 2.6. Insulation Inspections 05/01/2022
8 2.7. Posting of Occupant Load 06/26/2019
9 2.8. New Commercial Buildings and First Generation Tenant Space 07/15/2008
10 2.9. Covered Mall Buildings - Kiosks and Carts 07/19/2019
11 2.10. Spray-on Fireproofing 04/07/2011
12 2.11. Address Validation Requirements 04/26/2021
13 2.12. Existing Radio/Cell Towers New/Replacement Antenna Installation 01/22/2020
14 2.13. New Structure - Data Center Buildings 04/05/2021
  3. Residential Plan Review & Permits  
  3.1. General  
1 3.1.1. Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria 09/30/2021
2 3.1.2. Deck Construction – Permit Requirement 08/22/2019
3 3.1.3. Framing Plans for Conventional Lumber and I-Joist 07/01/2009
4 3.1.4. Framing Plans for Wood Trusses Metal Plate Connected 08/28/2015
5 3.1.5. Master File Plan Program 03/07/2022
6 3.1.6. Waived Plan Review Program 04/26/2021
7 3.1.7. Residential Electronic Trade Permits 07/15/2020
8 3.1.8. Residential Walk-Thru Policy 05/01/2023
  3.2. Building  
9 3.2.1. Deck Stairway Illumination 08/22/2019
10 3.2.2. Structural Slabs 10/29/2019
11 3.2.3. Foundations and Brick Ledges 11/01/2006
12 3.2.4. Property Line Encroachment 07/19/2019
13 3.3. Electrical – Load Calculation 07/01/2009
14 3.3.1. Electrical Vehicle Charging Systems 07/01/2019
  4. Residential Inspections  
1 4.1. General  
2 4.1.1. Deck Inspection Access 10/30/2019
3 4.1.2. Drywall Stocking 09/11/2003
4 4.1.3. Swimming Pool Heaters 05/01/2022
  4.2. Building  
5 4.2.1. Master File Plans Inspection Summary Sheet 02/07/2022
6 4.2.2. Foundation Drainage Systems 07/01/2009
7 4.2.3. Foundation Backfill 07/01/2009
8 4.2.4. Protection from Ice Damming 11/15/2011
9 4.2.6. Structural Foundation Repairs 07/01/2009
10 4.2.7. Brick Veneer Inspection 03/13/2015
11 4.2.8. Residential Floor Framing Inspections 01/15/2019
  4.3. Electrical Service  
12 4.3.1. Electrical Service Inspection 10/10/2003
13 4.3.2. Panel Installation 07/01/2009
14 4.3.3 Concrete Encased Electrode Inspection 08/15/2009
  4.4. Mechanical/Gas  
15 4.4.1. Certified Gas Drawings 06/26/2019
16 4.4.2. Duct Inspections 07/01/2009
17 4.4.4. Existing Chimney/Vent Inspection 06/22/2018
  4.5. Plumbing  
18 4.5.1. Areaway Drains 10/10/2003
19 4.5.2. Water Meter Crocks 07/30/2016
20 4.5.3. Grinder Pump Tank Installation Third Party Inspection Program 08/19/2016
  4.6. Energy Efficiency   
21 4.6.1 Air Leakage Test (Blower Door) 05/01/2023
22 4.6.2 Duct Leakage Testing 05/01/2023
23 4.6.3 Insulation Certificate 05/01/2023