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Building Inspections
Mission
The mission of the Building Inspections Department is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the general public by assuring that all buildings, structures and related equipment are constructed, installed, and maintained in compliance with the standards contained within the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) and the Gloucester County Code.
Services
- Administration of the Uniform Statewide Building Code and the building regulations required by The Gloucester County Code
- Inspections for compliance with minimum code requirements
- Commercial and residential plan review
- Review and processing of permit applications
- Floodplain management
- Board of Building Code Appeals
- Education through public meetings and training workshops
- Participation in the Virginia Building and Code Officials Association
Our knowledgeable staff members are available to assist you starting with the permitting process all the way through final construction of your project. The department is dedicated to helping you with your building project and ensuring that it is built to the current Virginia, and Gloucester County codes.
What Requires a Permit?
- Any construction or improvements in a flood zone requires a permit!
- Building/structures being altered, constructed, converted, demolished, enlarged, improved, or repaired
- New construction of a structure
- Example: Commercial buildings, houses, pole buildings, carports, gazebo’s, pergola’s, decks/porches, additions, shed’s, etc.
- Alterations/renovations
- Example: porch/deck enclosures; moving, adding, or demolishing interior walls; insulation/drywall; sky lights, widening doors, etc.
- Decks: New, additions, repairs
- Handicap Ramps, wheelchair lifts
- Swimming Pools- above & inground; pool barriers/fences
- Piers, boathouses, boatlifts, retaining walls, bulkheads, finger piers
- Foundation repair/encapsulation
- Installation of sheathing, floor joists
- Re-roofing of a building (commercial)
- Residential: structural
- New windows/door installation (adding or enlarging openings)
- Converting a basement/attic into habitable space
- Demolition of structures/ interior demolition
- Solar panels installation
- Signs
- Tenant/ commercial buildouts
- Change of use of a building
- Asbestos removal
- Tents over 900 sq. ft.
- Cell towers/ co-locations/alterations, etc.
- Construction trailers
- Amusement devices
TRADES: Residential & Commercial
- Electrical:
- New service; upgrade of service; new fixtures, adding switches, receptacles; sub-feeding to another structure/building
- Plumbing:
- New fixtures; altering/moving fixtures or drains; extending water lines or drain lines; lawn irrigation systems
- Mechanical:
- HVAC systems installation; fire suppression; kitchen hood; sprinklers; prefab gas fireplaces; generators; gas lines, tanks, wood stoves, etc.
- Elevators
Notes From the Building Official
Remember to change the batteries in your smoke detector! Also remember most smoke detectors must be replaced after ten years. Check with the manufacturer of your smoke detector for more information. Check out our new smoke detector slideshow (PDF) Opens a New Window. .
NOTICE: CODE CYCLE CHANGE EFFECTIVE JULY 1 2021
Please click here to view the notice.
Monthly Building Reports
View current and archived Building Reports.
FLOOD ZONE SEARCH BY ADDRESS: CLICK LINK BELOW!
Building Inspection Applications/forms
- Building/Zoning; (also Demo) Permit Application
- Trades Application (Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical) (PDF)
- ZPSIGNAPP
- Floodplain Development Permitting Form (revised) (PDF)
- Special Inspections Procedures Form (PDF)
- Change of Address or Ownership (PDF)
- Property Owners Affidavit (PDF)
- Request for Modification to the Building Code (PDF)
- VE Zone Design and Break Away Wall Certification (PDF)
- Board of Building Code Appeals Application (PDF)
- Backflow Prevention Test Report (PDF)
- 3RD PARTY INSPECTION POLICY
Documentation / Policies
- Basic Design Criteria - USBC R301 Values Table (PDF)
- Handrails Grasping Detail (PDF)
- Home Portable Fire Extinguishers Information (PDF)
- Inspections Procedure (PDF)
- Landing Steps Detail (PDF)
- One Fixture Accessible Bathroom Layout (PDF)
- Portable Generator Hazards (PDF)
- Residential Generator Guidelines (PDF)
- Residential Photovoltaic System Guidelines (PDF)
- Residential Swimming Pools - Electrical Wiring Requirements (PDF)
- Residential Swimming Pools and Spas - Complete Details (PDF)
- Smoke Alarm Slide Show (PDF)
- Smoking in Restaurants Prohibited (HB 1703) (PDF)
- Steps to Build a Single Family Dwelling (PDF)
- Swimming Pools Brochure - General Information (PDF)
- Typical Wall Detail (PDF)
- Typical Wall Detail for 2 Story House (PDF)
- Typical Wall Detail Single Story (PDF)
- Virginia Asbestos Regulations (PDF)
- Woodstove Installation Guide (PDF)
- 2018 USBC DECK DETAILS
- Handicap Ramp Handout (PDF)
- ADA PARKING SPACES
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Paul Koll
Building Official
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William C (Bill) Riter
Deputy Building Official
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Heather Burch
Senior Permit Technician
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Jett Bullion
Permit Technician II
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Jonathan Morr
Combination Inspector
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Don Brewster
Inspector I: Electrical
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Charles Hubbard
Inspector I: Electrical
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Greg Gentry
Code Enforcement Officer
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Staff Email
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Building Inspection
Physical Address
6489 Main Street
Suite 247
Gloucester, VA 23061
Phone: : 804-693-2744
- Gloucester County Health Department
- Virginia Building and Code Officials Association
- Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
- International Code Council
- Department of Housing and Community Development
- Legislative Information System
- Code of Virginia
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Gloucester County Code of Ordinances
- Miss Utility of Virginia