Building permits in Virginia Beach, Virginia
Of the 10 common home projects we have verified in Virginia Beach, 6 need a permit outright and 4 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
By Mario Bailey Last checked · 3 official sources
Verified against official sources- Project types verified
- 10
- in Virginia Beach
Planning & Community Development, Permits & Inspections Division
- 2403 Courthouse Drive, Building 3, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
- Phone: 757-385-4211
- Email: perminsp@vbgov.com
- Official permit page
- Permit portal
Look up a permit in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach runs an online permit portal. Many local portals let you check application status, search permit records, and view inspection results without calling the office.
Search the Virginia Beach permit portal
What needs a permit in Virginia Beach
Of the 10 common home projects we have verified in Virginia Beach, 6 need a permit outright and 4 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | Permit required | No size or height exemption; the city states permits are required for construction of a new deck no matter the size or height. | Residential fees start at $50 plus area or valuation based charges (non-heated new work... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | State code exempts like-for-like replacement of snap switches, dimmer and control switches, 125 volt 15 or 20 ampere receptacles, luminaires, and ceiling fans; other electrical work needs a permit. | Not published |
| Fence Permit | It depends | A zoning fence permit is required for any fence or wall within 30 feet of a public right-of-way (except agricultural fences in the AG district); the statewide code exempts fences of any height from building permits unless they serve as a swimming pool barrier. | $61 fence permit fee (city Fence and Wall Bulletin, rev Nov-2025) |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | State code provides a narrow exemption for like-for-like replacement of certain mechanical appliances not fueled by gas or oil; other mechanical work needs a permit. | Not published |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Roofed or screened patio additions require a building permit; the city's published permit list does not address open at-grade patios and the state exemption list has no patio entry. | If a permit applies, residential fees start at $50 plus area or valuation based charges... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | State code exempts replacement of plumbing fixtures and well pumps without alteration of the water supply and distribution systems; other plumbing work needs a permit. | Not published |
| Pool Permit | It depends | Permits are required for pools, hot tubs, and spas holding 24 inches or more of water; state code exempts only pools with a surface area of 150 square feet or less that are under 24 inches deep. | Residential permit fees start at $50 plus area or valuation based charges, plus a 2%... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Roofing replacement is on the city's permit-required alterations list; the state exemption for roof covering replacement on one and two family dwellings applies only where the nominal design wind speed is not greater than 100 mph. | $50 plus $5 per $1,000 of construction value, plus a 2% state levy and a $10 technology... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | One story detached sheds with a building area of 256 square feet or less are exempt from a building permit; larger sheds require one. | Non-heated residential new construction: $50 plus $4 per 100 sq ft, plus a 2% state levy... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | No exemption; photovoltaic work is a listed category on the city electrical permit application and electrical work requires a permit under the statewide code. | Not published |
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Virginia Beach permit fees compared with nearby Virginia localities
| Virginia locality | Deck Permit | HVAC Permit | Electrical Permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | Residential fees start at $50 plus area or valuation based... | Not published | Not published |
| Arlington County | Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule | Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule | Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule |
| Chesterfield County | $114 flat fee for a deck, carport, gazebo, or similar... | $114 for a new HVAC system installation or system... | $171 for a new single-family dwelling |
| Culpeper County | Not published | Not published | Not published |
Each cell is the opening clause of that Virginia jurisdiction's own fee schedule; the full wording and source sit on each permit page.
Virginia Beach permit questions, answered from the data
- Do you need a permit in Virginia Beach?
- For most projects, yes. Of the 10 permit types we have verified for Virginia Beach, 6 always require a permit (for example a deck permit), 4 depend on size or scope (a fence permit, for instance). Each Virginia Beach permit type's page states the exact rule and its source.
- How much does a permit cost in Virginia Beach?
- Virginia Beach publishes a fee for 6 of the 10 permit types we cover, each quoted on its page from the jurisdiction's own schedule. Fees are set by Planning & Community Development, Permits & Inspections Division; we do not estimate or mark them up.
- Where do you apply for a permit in Virginia Beach?
- Planning & Community Development, Permits & Inspections Division issues permits in Virginia Beach, with an online portal for applications, plan uploads and status checks, and takes questions at 757-385-4211. The Virginia Beach official page and portal are linked in the office section above.
How the Virginia Beach pages were verified. 10 permit types, 12 distinct official sources, most recently checked . Every rule is read from Planning & Community Development, Permits & Inspections Division or the applicable code and cited on its page; anything we could not confirm for Virginia Beach is marked rather than estimated. How we verify.