BUILDING INSPECTIONS

Office Hours 8:00-10:00 am, 1:00-2:00 pm & 4:30-5:00 pm

Our Building Official and Building Inspector provide the construction industry with required inspection services on site throughout the day. The above listed office hours are the hours in which they are available to discuss building plans, building codes and issue permits. The remainder of the work day they are performing inspections at job sites. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Scott Bowen, Building Official - Nonresidential Inspections
300 Lee Street, Room 114, Bristol, VA. 24201
Phone: (276) 645-7362 Fax: (276) 645-7479
Email: sbowen@bristolva.org

Mike Johnston, Building Inspector - Residential Inspections
Phone: (276) 645-7362 Fax: (276) 645-7479
Email: mjohnston@bristolva.org

BUILDING INSPECTION DEPARTMENT FAQS

What type of projects require a permit?

A Building Permit is required for any new construction, enlargement or major renovation of a structure within the City including but not limited to the following:

New residential, commercial, industrial or public building construction.

The creation of new dwelling units in existing buildings, or major rehabilitation of existing units.

Additions to existing buildings, including new kitchens, bathrooms, porches, patios or decks.

Structural alteration of existing buildings.

Installations of new solid fuel burning equipment and chimneys.

Swimming pools, either in-ground or above ground, which are greater than 150 square feet in surface area, 5,000 gallons or greater of water capacity and 24 inches or greater in depth.

Fences that are part of a barrier for a swimming pool and retaining walls greater than four feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing.

Garages and carports.

Storage and utility buildings that exceed 150 sq, ft. in area. Note: Building placement on a lot must comply with Zoning Ordinance setback requirements regardless of structure size.

The change of use of existing buildings, whether or not alterations are required.

The replacement of interior or exterior utilities, i.e. water lines, sewer lines, electrical services, etc.

How much will my permit cost?

The following permit and fee schedule is adopted.

(1) Items governed by building permit.

a. For structures valued at less than $1,000.00, $6.00.

b. For structures valued at more than $1,000.00, $6.00 per each $1,000.00 value or fraction thereof, up to $15,000.00.

c. For structures valued over $15,000.00, schedule b. above, plus $3.00 fee per $1,000.00 value or fraction thereof over $15,000.00.

d. Demolition of structure over 100 square feet in area, $15.00 fee.

e. Erection of signs, minimum fee of $10.00 for signs valued at less than $1,000.00.

f. Erection of signs valued at $1,000.00 or more, schedule b. and/or c. above.

g. Moving of structures:

1. Two dollars per $100.00 or fraction thereof of the estimated cost of moving,
to a maximum fee of $100.00.

2. The cost of new foundation and all work necessary to place the structure in
its completed condition in the new location at the rate of $6.00 per $1,000.00 or fraction thereof.

(2) Electrical permits.

a. Minimum fee . . . $ 10.00

b. Fixtures, outlets and drops . . . 0.30

c. Motors 1/4 to 1 h.p. . . . 1.00

d. Motors 1 to 5 h.p. . . . 2.00

e. Motors 5 to 10 h.p. . . . 2.50

f. Motors 10 to 20 h.p. . . . 3.00

g. Motors 20 to 50 h.p. . . . 3.50

h. Motors 50 to 100 h.p. . . . 4.00

i. Motors 100 plus h.p. . . . 5.00

j. New service 60 to 100 amp . . . 3.00

k. New service 125 to 200 amp . . . 4.00

l. New service 200 to 400 amp . . . 6.00

m. New service 400 to 600 amp . . . 10.00

n. New service 600 plus amp . . . 15.00

o. Electric water heater or dryer . . . 1.50

p. Control wiring, electric, gas or oil fired furnace . . . 1.50

q. Electric, window type air conditioners . . . 1.50

r. Electric sign, neon, incand., letter or number . . . 0.20

s. Electric stove/oven per outlet . . . 1.50

t. Reinspection fee . . . 10.00

u. Maximum fee . . . 125.00

(3) Plumbing permits.

a. Minimum fee . . . 10.00

b. Building sewer . . . 3.00

c. Plumbing fixtures, floor drain trap (including water and drainage piping) 3.00

d. Water heater . . . 3.00

e. Installation or alteration of water piping and/or water treating equipment 3.00

f. Alteration of drainage and/or vent piping . . . 3.00

g. Vacuum breakers or backflow prevention

1. Devices 1--5 . . . 3.00

2. Over 5 (each) . . . 0.75

h. Reinspection fee . . . 10.00

i. Maximum fee . . . 125.00

(4) Mechanical permits.

a. Minimum fee . . . $ 10.00

b. Duct work or supplemental equipment . . . 10.00

c. Electrical heating equipment/KW . . . 0.50

d. Oil, gas or solid fuel fired heating equipment/12,000 Btu . . . 2.00

e. Air conditioning equipment/ton . . . 2.00

f. Boilers under 50 b.h.p. per b.h.p. . . . 0.50

g. Boilers 50 to 250 b.h.p., $25.00 plus/b.h.p. . . . 0.20

h. Boilers over 250 b.h.p. . . . 125.00

i. Residential gas or fuel outlets other than heating, air conditioning, or air
handling . . . 1.50

j. Gas or fuel outlets other than heating, air conditioning or air handling . . 3.00

k. Reinspection fee . . . 10.00

l. Maximum fee . . . 125.00

(5) Industrialized building units and mobile homes.

The fee for inspection of industrialized building units and mobile homes shall be
$125.00.

(6) Permit to move mobile homes.

The fee for a permit to locate or move a mobile home shall be $10.00.

Is a permit required for re-roofing or applying vinyl siding to my house?

Permits are not required for roof coverings or replacement siding on single family dwellings and duplex apartment units. However, apartment buildings that contain more than two dwelling units are not exempt from the permit requirement.

Are permits required for sidewalks and grade level patios?

No, permits are not required for the items listed above.

What steps do I need to take to open a new business?

The first step should be to determine if a Certificate of Occupancy exists for the building. If there is a valid certificate for the premises that allows the proposed use, nothing is required from the Building Inspection Department.

If a Certificate of Occupancy can not be located for the building please contact this office. We will attempt to locate a C.O. for the location. In the event that a C.O. does not exist for the structure, it will have to be evaluated for the proposed use.

Listed below are the requirements which will have to be met. Unique businesses may have additional stipulations:

1. Zoning
2. Building height and area limitation compliance for the proposed use based on the type of construction.
3. Overall building condition, i.e., structural, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, etc.
4. Code compliant installation of any special equipment necessary for business operation.
5. Correction of any outstanding code violations cited by the Fire Marshal or Property Maintenance Official.
6. Emergency lighting and exit signage
7. Adequate egress.
8. Fire extinguishers
9. ADA accessibility
10. Parking

Upon the approval of the structure for the proposed business and the subsequent issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, the Commissioner of Revenue's Office should be contacted for a Business License. That office may be reached at (276) 645-7316 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Do I need a building permit to construct a driveway or parking lot?

No, a building permit is not required for the construction driveways or parking lots. However, an entrance permit is required to be obtained from the City Engineer's Office prior to beginning construction of a new entrance off of the City R/W. If the disturbed area of a driveway or parking lot exceeds 10,000 sq. ft., an Erosion & Sediment Plan, Site Plan and Land Disturbing Permit may be required by the City Engineer. The City Engineer's Office may be reached at (276) 645-7363.

Are permits required for the installation of fences?

No, a building permit is not required for fences unless they form a barrier for a swimming pool. In that instance, the pool enclosure is required to be a minimum of 48" in height and to be equipped with a self-closing, self-latching lockable gate.

Do tents require a building permit?

Permits are not required for tents and air-supported structures that cover an area of 900 square feet (84 m²) or less, including all connecting areas or spaces with a common means of egress or entrance and with an occupant load of 50 or less persons.

Do ordinary repairs require permits?

The 2000 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code exempts the following ordinary repairs/routine maintenance items from requiring permits. See Use Group definitions at the bottom of this section.

a. Replacement of mechanical or plumbing equipment and appliances, except those fueled by gas or oil, within the dwelling unit in occupancies of Group R-2 which are four stories or less in height and in occupancies of Groups R-3, R-4 and R-5.

b. Replacement of roof coverings and installation or replacement of siding on Groups R-3, R-4 and R-5 structures, where such structures are located in localities where the basic wind speed is 100 miles per hour (160 km/hr) or less, determined in accordance with Table R301.2(4), in the amended 2000 International Residential Code.

c. Installation of cabinets in all occupancies.

d. Replacement of floor coverings and porch flooring within the dwelling unit in occupancies of Group R-2 which are four stories or less in height and in occupancies of Groups R-3, R-4 and R-5.

e. Painting any portion of a structure, repair of plaster, interior tile and other wall coverings in all occupancies.

f. Replacement of windows and doors and electrical switches, outlets, light fixtures and ceiling fans, within the dwelling unit in occupancies of Group R-2 which are four stories or less in height and in occupancies of Groups R-3, R-4 and R-5.

g. Replacement of interior floor finish and covering materials.

Ordinary repairs shall not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements; nor shall ordinary repairs include addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas or oil, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety.

Use Group Definitions

R-1 Residential occupancies where the occupants are primarily transient in nature (less than 30 days) including: boarding houses (transient), hotels (including motels)

R-2 Residential occupancies containing more than two dwelling units where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature, including: apartment houses, boarding houses (not transient), convents, dormitories, fraternities and sororities, monasteries

R-3 Residential occupancies where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature and not classified as R-1, R-2 or I, and where buildings do not contain more than two dwelling units, or adult and child care facilities that provide accommodations for five or fewer persons of any age for less than 24 hours.

R-4 Residential occupancies shall include buildings arranged for occupancies as Residential Care/Assisted Living Facilities including more than five but not more than 16 occupants, excluding staff.

R-5 Detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings
(townhouses) not more than three stories high with separate means of egress and their
accessory structures.

Revised
111130FEB10