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Building Permit – Commercial

Availability:
available online   Online
Effective August 30, 2021, all permit applications for the construction, alteration, addition, repair or demolition of commercial buildings shall be submitted using the Build Henrico Permitting System.    Go to Help Using Build Henrico for additional information, tutorials and presentations.

To amend or cancel a commercial building permit submitted or issued prior to August 30, 2021, see the instructions for Henrico’s former permitting and inspections system, now referred to as the Legacy Permitting System, on this page below.

Build Henrico Permitting Instructions

  • Register for and login to your customer account on the Build Henrico website.
  • Select “Permits” on the Build Henrico home page.
  • Select “Building Permit.
  • Select “Commercial” from the dropdown menu next to “Select the option that best describes the application:” and complete your permit submittal by filling out the online application.
  • Go to these links to review the document submission standards for the construction of commercial buildings:
  • Upload the following applicable documents to be included with your permit application:
    • Site Plans
    • Architectural Plans (Key Plans, Floor Plans, Elevations, Life Safety, Egress, Door & Window Schedules, Wall, Floor and Roof Sections, Fire-Resistant Rated Assemblies, etc.)
    • Structural Plans (Footings & Foundations, Structural Framing, Retaining Walls, Engineering Details, etc.)
    • Plumbing Plans (Water & Sewer sitework; Water distribution piping; Drainage, Waste & Vent piping; Stormwater piping; Plumbing Fixtures; Grease Traps & Interceptors; Gas Piping Systems (Natural, LPG & Medical)
    • Mechanical Plans (Heating, Air Conditioning and Ventilation Equipment & Systems; Ductwork; Kitchen & Hazardous Exhaust Systems; Refrigeration Systems; Gas Piping Systems (Natural, LPG & Medical); Boilers & Water Heaters; Fireplaces & Mechanical Appliances, Fuel Storage Tanks, etc.)
    • Electrical Plans (Power Distribution; Lighting; Panelboards; Overcurrent Protection; Electrical Fixtures & Equipment, etc.)
    • Owner’s Affidavit – Statement that applicant is either the owner or owner’s agent, i.e., exempt from being a licensed contractor

Document Submission Standards

Occupancy Classifications

Legacy Permitting

No new building permits are being accepted in our former (Legacy) Land Management System.  Please submit your permit using Build Henrico.

For existing permits that are active in our Legacy system, please mail or hand deliver the following documents along with required fees to the Department of Building Construction and Inspections:

Permit Resubmittal (submit changes to your original permit application)
2 copies of Commercial Resubmittal Form
2 copies of revised sheets of construction plans
Note: There is a fee for this service if there is an increase to the original estimated cost.

Permit Cancelation
1 copy of Request for Permit Cancelation
Note: You must enter a reason for the cancelation. If a refund is requested, you must add the request to the reason for cancelation. The refund rate is 100% if the permit has not been issued or 75% of the permit fee only if the permit has been issued.

Fees

Commercial Building Permits
Trade and Sign Permits:
Including moving/demolition of structures (based on cost of labor and materials to the building owner:

$100 for the first $5000
$7 per additional $1000 or fraction thereof
plus 2% state levy

Commercial Fee Calculator.

When is a commercial building permit needed?*

Construction or demolition of:

  1. A building or structure
  2. Installations or alterations involving the removal of any wall, partition or portion thereof
  3. Any structural component
  4. Repair or replacement of any required component of a fire or smoke rated assembly
  5. Alteration of any required means of egress system
  6. Tool and storage sheds 256 square feet or larger
  7. Tents or air-supported structures over 900 square feet
  8. Fences required for pedestrian safety or a swimming pool
  9. Concrete or masonry walls exceeding 6 feet
  10. Retaining walls supporting 3 feet of unbalanced fill
  11. Swimming pools with a surface area of greater than 150 square feet, exceed 5,000 gallons and are 24 or more inches deep
  12. Flagpoles more than 30 feet in height
  13. Reroof except in Groups R-3, R-4 or R-5

*This is not a comprehensive list.  Please call the Department of Building Construction and Inspections at (804) 501-4360 with any questions.

 

Contact Us

Permit Technician
(804) 501-4360


Building Inspections

Physical Address
Department of Building Construction and Inspections
4301 East Parham Road
Henrico, VA 23228

Phone
(804) 501-4360
Automated Permit System
(804) 501-7770

Mailing Address
Department of Building Construction and Inspections
P. O. Box 90775
Henrico, VA 23273-0775

 
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