Virginia / Chesterfield County
Plumbing Permit in Chesterfield County, Virginia
Permit required
Yes, a permit is required
For work that installs new piping or fixtures, replaces plumbing pipe, or adds backflow prevention
Issued byChesterfield County Department of Building Inspection
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
- Permit fee
- $228
- from the published schedule
Quick answer
A plumbing permit is required in Chesterfield County for installing any new piping or fixtures, replacing plumbing pipe such as water supply, sewer, well, septic, or drainage piping, and installing a lawn irrigation backflow prevention device, per the county's own permit guidance. Replacing an existing fixture, such as a sink, toilet, or faucet, without altering those systems is exempt.
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When a permit is usually needed
For work that installs new piping or fixtures, replaces plumbing pipe, or adds backflow prevention
What a plumbing permit costs in Chesterfield County
How Chesterfield County compares in Virginia
No Virginia jurisdiction we have verified sets a size threshold for this permit, so what actually differs between them is the fee.
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington County | Permit required | Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule plus DES drainage fixture unit fees where... |
| Chesterfield Countythis page | Permit required | $228 for a new single-family dwelling |
| Fairfax County | Permit required | Residential addition or alteration plumbing work starts at the $141.75 base... |
| Fauquier County | It depends | A single-trade plumbing permit is $84.15 including the technology fee at the... |
| Henrico County | Permit required | Existing-dwelling trade permit fee applies: $100 for the first $5,000 of labor... |
| Loudoun County | Permit required | Base fee for adding, replacing or relocating plumbing equipment in a 1 or 2... |
| Orange County | Permit required | Billed under the residential Trades category for plumbing work at $0.15 per... |
How to apply in Chesterfield County
In Chesterfield County, you apply for a residential plumbing permit at your local building department by filing an application that describes the scope of work and site, along with construction documents, before any regulated plumbing installation, alteration, or repair begins. Minor repairs that do not touch piping or fixtures are generally exempt, and once issued the permit only stays valid if work is started within its time limit.
What most plumbing permit applications include:
- For Chesterfield County, a permit is required before any owner or authorized agent constructs, alters, repairs, removes, converts, or replaces a plumbing system regulated by the code (IRC R105.1).
- For Chesterfield County, the application must identify and describe the work, describe the site, state the intended use and occupancy, and be signed by the applicant or an authorized agent (IRC R105.3).
- Two or more sets of construction documents must accompany the application, drawn with enough clarity to show the location, nature, and extent of the proposed plumbing work and how it will conform to code (IRC R106.1, R106.1.1).
- Minor plumbing repairs, such as clearing a stoppage or removing and resetting a water closet without rearranging pipes or fixtures, are exempt from permit (IRC R105.2).
- Once issued, a permit is only valid for a limited window, commonly 180 days, and becomes invalid if the work is not started or is abandoned within that time, though extensions can be requested (IRC R105.3.2, R105.5).
General submittal guidance from 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), Chapter 1 Scope and Administration, Sections R105 Permits and R106 Construction Documents. Source. Chesterfield County Department of Building Inspection sets the exact checklist for Chesterfield County.
Where to apply in Chesterfield County:
Chesterfield County Department of Building Inspection
- 9800 Government Center Parkway, Chesterfield, VA 23832
- Phone: (804) 751-4990
- Email: BIPermitsAndFees@chesterfield.gov
Plumbing Permit in Chesterfield County compared with nearby Virginia localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Virginia schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chesterfield County | Permit required | Not specified | $228 for a new single-family dwelling | |
| Arlington County | Permit required | Replacement of fixtures, appliances or piping of the same type, size and location on equipment not fueled by gas is exempt; work on gas fueled equipment always requires a permit and inspections. | Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule plus DES drainage fixture unit fees where applicable | |
| Culpeper County | It depends | Not specified | Not published | |
| Fairfax County | Permit required | Not specified | Residential addition or alteration plumbing work starts at the $141.75 base fee for... | |
| Fauquier County | It depends | Not specified | A single-trade plumbing permit is $84.15 including the technology fee at the $75 minimum... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Chesterfield County, plumbing inspections are timed to whatever is about to hide the pipe: underground and under-slab piping is checked before concrete covers it, rough-in piping is pressure or water tested before walls close up, and a final inspection checks every fixture and backflow protection once the work is complete.
- In Chesterfield County: piping and equipment placed under a slab or floor must be in place and inspected before any concrete is poured or floor sheathing is installed over it (IRC R109.1.1.1).
- In Chesterfield County: rough plumbing, along with the mechanical, gas, and electrical rough-in, must be inspected prior to covering or concealment and before fixtures or appliances are set (IRC R109.1.2).
- In Chesterfield County: rough drain, waste, and vent (DWV) piping is tested with water, air, or (for plastic piping) a vacuum, and must show no evidence of leakage before it is closed in (IRC P2503.5.1).
- In Chesterfield County: the water-distribution piping is tested and must hold tight under the system's working pressure, or under a 50 psi air test for non-plastic piping, before it is concealed (IRC P2503.7).
- In Chesterfield County: the framing inspection cannot proceed until the plumbing rough inspection, along with the mechanical and electrical rough inspections, has been approved (IRC R109.1.4).
- In Chesterfield County: at the final drainage test, each fixture is filled and then drained, and its traps and fixture connections must prove watertight by visual inspection (IRC P2503.5.2).
- In Chesterfield County: final inspection is made after all work required by the permit is complete, and includes confirming backflow protection, such as vacuum breakers on hose bibbs, is installed (IRC R109.1.6, P2902.4.3).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Chesterfield County permit portal or by phone at (804) 751-4990.
Inspection sequence from 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), Section R109 Inspections and Section P2503 Inspection and Tests. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Plumbing Permit checklist for Chesterfield County
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: For work that installs new piping or fixtures, replaces plumbing pipe, or adds backflow prevention.
- Budget the fee. $228 for a new single-family dwelling; $114 for an addition or renovation requiring new rough-in ($57 if rough-in is pre-existing); $57 for backflow prevention or water/sewer line installation or repair, per the FY2025-26 residential fee schedule. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Chesterfield County, you apply for a residential plumbing permit at your local building department by filing an application that describes the scope of work and site, along with construction documents, before any regulated plumbing installation, alteration, or repair begins. Minor repairs that do not touch piping or fixtures are generally exempt, and once issued the permit only stays valid if work is started within its time limit. Start at the Chesterfield County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Chesterfield County Department of Building Inspection. Phone: (804) 751-4990. Address: 9800 Government Center Parkway, Chesterfield, VA 23832.
- Plan for inspections. In Chesterfield County, plumbing inspections are timed to whatever is about to hide the pipe: underground and under-slab piping is checked before concrete covers it, rough-in piping is pressure or water tested before walls close up, and a final inspection checks every fixture and backflow protection once the work is complete.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a plumbing permit in Chesterfield County?
- A plumbing permit is required in Chesterfield County for installing any new piping or fixtures, replacing plumbing pipe such as water supply, sewer, well, septic, or drainage piping, and installing a lawn irrigation backflow prevention device, per the county's own permit guidance. Replacing an existing fixture, such as a sink, toilet, or faucet, without altering those systems is exempt. Always confirm with the Chesterfield County Department of Building Inspection before starting.
- How much does a plumbing permit cost in Chesterfield County?
- $228 for a new single-family dwelling; $114 for an addition or renovation requiring new rough-in ($57 if rough-in is pre-existing); $57 for backflow prevention or water/sewer line installation or repair, per the FY2025-26 residential fee schedule. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a plumbing permit in Chesterfield County?
- You can apply through the Chesterfield County permit portal or contact the Chesterfield County Department of Building Inspection directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a plumbing permit themselves in Chesterfield County?
- Under Virginia law (Va. Code 54.1-1101(A); 13VAC5-63-80 (USBC Sections 108.3, 108.4)): Yes. Va. Code 54.1-1101(A) exempts any person who performs or supervises construction, removal, repair, or improvement of no more than one primary residence owned by them and for their own use during any 24-month period. The exemption covers the whole licensing chapter, including tradesman licensing for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, so it reaches trade work on the owner's own primary residence. Under the USBC the permit applicant may be the owner or the owner's agent, and an applicant may file a written statement that they are not subject to licensure instead of proof of license. Limits: one primary residence per 24 months, for the owner's own use; rental and investment property work is not covered. Confirm how Chesterfield County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Chesterfield County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom Remodel Permit | It depends | Not specified | Falls under renovation, alteration or conversion: $114 if square footage does not... |
| Deck Permit | Permit required | Not specified | $114 flat fee for a deck, carport, gazebo, or similar accessory addition per the... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | $171 for a new single-family dwelling |
| EV Charger Permit | Permit required | Not specified | No EV-specific line |
| Fence Permit | No permit needed | Not specified | No permit or fee for a standard residential fence |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | $114 for a new HVAC system installation or system replacement with new ductwork |
| Patio Permit | It depends | on-grade concrete or paver patios need no building permit; a permit is required for covered patios, patio covers, or slabs designed to support a future structure | Not published |
| Pool Permit | It depends | pools, hot tubs, or spas (permanent or storable) greater than 150 sq ft surface area, 5,000 gallons capacity, and more than 24 inches deep require a building permit; smaller or shallower pools are exempt | $57 flat fee for an in-ground or above-ground swimming pool with barrier |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | like-for-like replacement of roof covering on one- and two-family homes is exempt statewide in areas with nominal design wind speed of 100 mph or less; a permit is required when roof sheathing or framing is replaced, and may be required in historic districts or flood hazard areas | No permit or fee for ordinary reroofing or shingle replacement, which the county lists... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | sheds 256 sq ft or less require no permit; sheds 257 sq ft or larger (up to 400 sq ft) require a building permit | No permit fee for sheds 256 sq ft or less |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | No solar-specific line |
| Water Heater Permit | It depends | Not specified | Replacing an electric water heater with a new electric unit needs no permit |
Plumbing Permit in other Virginia localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Chesterfield County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this plumbing permit page for Chesterfield County was verified. 3 official sources: law.lis.virginia.gov, chesterfield.gov, chesterfield.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Chesterfield County Department of Building Inspection. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Plumbing Permit requirements across Virginia localities