Building Permit – Commercial

Build Henrico Permitting Instructions

• Register for and login to your customer account on the Build Henrico customer portal 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:
  • Requirements for New Construction
  • Requirements for Additions
  • Requirements for Alterations and Tenant Upfits
  • Requirements for Tents
  • Requirements for Construction, Office and Classroom Trailers
  • Requirements for Demolitions
• 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 Statement of Responsibility – Statement that applicant is either the owner or owner’s agent, i.e., exempt from being a licensed contractor

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.

Permit Cancelation

• Permit not issued:  Withdraw in customer portal.
• Permit issued: From your customer portal, select Amend Permit and state that you would like to cancel your permit.
• Note: You must enter a reason for the cancelation. If a refund is requested, you must add this request to the reason for cancelation. The refund rate is 100% of the permit fee if the permit has not been issued and 75% of the permit fee if the permit has been issued.

Commercial Permit Fees

Building, Trade and Sign Permits

Including moving or demolition of structures
$100 for the first $5,000 (based on cost of labor and materials to the building owner),
+ $7 per additional $1,000 + 2% state levy
Commercial Fee Calculator

Still need help??  Go to Build Henrico for additional information, tutorials and presentations.