IN GENERAL

Richmond, Va., City Code ch. 5, art. I

in effect

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-1 Adoption of Uniform Statewide Building Code.

Sec. 5-1. - Adoption of Uniform Statewide Building Code. The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, as now or hereafter promulgated by the State Board of Housing and Community Development, along with its associated referenced standards and all future editions and amendments, are hereby adopted and incorporated into this Code by reference and made applicable within the City. Annual testing of all backflow prevention devices in accordance with Part III, Article 2, Section 131, Item 12, subsection 505.5.2 of the Uniform Statewide Building Code, amending the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), will be as required in the IPMC and in accordance with the written policy of the Commissioner of Buildings. (Code 1993, § 5-1; Code 2004, § 14-1; Code 2015, § 5-1; Code 2020, § 5-1; Ord. No. 2011-45-56, § 1, 3-28-2011)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-2 Applicability.

Sec. 5-2. - Applicability. The construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, repair, maintenance or use of structures and buildings within the City, and installation of equipment therein, shall be governed by the Uniform Statewide Building Code as promulgated by the State Board of Housing and Community Development, together with the local fee schedule. (Code 1993, § 5-2; Code 2004, § 14-2; Code 2015, § 5-2; Code 2020, § 5-2)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-3 Code violations prohibited; penalty.

Sec. 5-3. - Code violations prohibited; penalty. It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, firm or corporation to occupy, construct, alter, extend, repair, remove, demolish, maintain or use any building or equipment regulated by the Uniform Statewide Building Code, or cause the same to be done, in conflict with or in violation of any of the provisions of the Uniform Statewide Building Code. Violations of the Uniform Statewide Building Code shall be punishable as outlined in Code of Virginia, § 36-106. (Code 1993, § 5-3; Code 2004, § 14-3; Code 2015, § 5-3; Code 2020, § 5-3)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-4 Commissioner of Buildings.

Sec. 5-4. - Commissioner of Buildings. Responsibility for enforcement of the technical standards adopted as part of the Uniform Statewide Building Code is assigned to the Department of Planning and Development Review, Bureau of Permits and Inspections. The Commissioner of Buildings shall be the "Building Official" and the "Building Maintenance Official" as defined in the Uniform Statewide Building Code and shall administer and enforce the provisions of the Uniform Statewide Building Code within the City. The Bureau of Permits and Inspections shall be deemed to be the "Building Department" within the purview of Code of Virginia, § 36-105. References in this chapter to the Building Official and the Building Maintenance Official shall be deemed to include the Commissioner of Buildings' duly authorized representatives. (Code 1993, § 5-4; Code 2004, § 14-4; Code 2015, § 5-4; Code 2020, § 5-4; Ord. No. 2009-220-2010-8, § 2, 1-25-2010)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-5 Fee schedules.

Sec. 5-5. - Fee schedules. For the purposes of this chapter, fees for plan examination, permits and inspections shall be as established by the Council. Fee schedules shall be published and available to the public through the Office of the Commissioner of Buildings and shall be as set forth below: Building permits—Residential Value of work (higher of contractor's stated final value including material, labor, subcontracts, owner furnished materials, overhead and profit or estimated value from RSMeans manuals) From $0.00 to $2,000.00 | $63.00 Over $2,000.00 | $63.00* *Plus $6.07 per thousand or fraction thereof for single-family detached residential construction Re-stamping of residential plans will require an additional fee of $32.00 per set of plans Building permits—Commercial Value of work (higher of contractor's stated final value including material, labor, subcontracts, owner furnished materials, overhead and profit or estimated value from RSMeans manuals) From $0.00 to $2,000.00 | $131.00 Over $2,000.00 | $131.00* *Plus $8.50 per thousand or fraction thereof for commercial construction Re-stamping of commercial plans will require an additional fee of $55.00 per set of plans Administrative charge for extending permits | $25.00 Additional fee levy An additional two percent levy of fees shall be assessed for all permits used under the fee structure cited above. The fee shall be remitted to the State Department of Housing and Community Development to support training programs conducted at the Virginia Building Code Academy The minimum administrative fee for permits which have been either withdrawn or rejected shall be five percent of the initial permit fee but in no case less than $25.00 The minimum plans review fee for permits which have been either withdrawn (where the subject review has been undertaken) or rejected shall be ten percent of the initial permit fee but in no case less than $25.00 The minimum revised plan fee once a permit has been issued shall be ten percent of the initial permit fee, but in no case less than $30.00 Any excess fee greater than $2.00 shall be returned to the permit holder upon written request Demolition Residential | $184.00 Commercial | $368.00* *For commercial structures up to 10,000 square feet of floor area; add an additional $0.01 per square foot floor area above 10,000 square feet, not to exceed a maximum fee of $1,000.00 Additional fee levy An additional two percent levy of fees shall be assessed for all permits used under the fee structure cited above. The fee shall be remitted to the State Department of Housing and Community Development to support training programs conducted at the Virginia Building Code Academy Inspection fees Reinspection fee for failure to correct violations previously cited (any trip to a job site is considered an inspection) Residential | $32.00 Commercial | $63.00 Failure to appear for an on-site inspection Residential | $32.00 Commercial | $63.00 Fee for after-hours inspection (weekdays 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.; weekends, holidays) per hour | $110.00 Special inspection (request for an on-site inspection not required at the time of the request) during normal working hours Residential | $32.00 Commercial | $63.00 Egress lighting test Lighting test, per hour after normal working hours | $95.00 Retest due failure, per hour anytime | $184.00 Electrical certification for change in use Inspection, per hour for inspection and write up of report | $60.00 Fee for after-hours inspection (weekdays 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.; weekends, holidays) per hour | $90.00 Elevator test (includes coordinated routine inspections) Cable elevators (annual routine test fee) 1—4 floors/openings | $150.00 5—10 floors/openings | $175.00 10 floors/openings | $200.00 Cable hydraulic (annual routine test fee) | $150.00 Hydraulic (annual routine test fee) | $150.00 Escalator (annual routine test fee) | $150.00 Miscellaneous for units not listed above (annual routine test fee) | $100.00 New work (includes reinspection after lock-out) (see new work fee schedule) Reinspections (per visit) | $50.00 Elevator annual routine inspection (without test) | $125.00 Elevator certificate processing fee | $40.00 Appeals to the building code, electrical, mechanical or plumbing board of appeals (as provided for in Code of Virginia, § 36-105) Appeal fee | $184.00* Building maintenance code Certificate of occupancy, including temporary and partial | $263.00 Reprinting of certificate of occupancy | $32.00 Code modification request Code modification fee | $125.00* *Per code section modified, maximum fee $375.00 Small business permits Permit fee | $300.00 Work without a permit investigation Investigation of stop work order, per permit | $400.00 Final acceptance of new elevators or elevator modernization | $230.00 Elevator accidents, complaints, and emergencies per hour | $63.00 Billing of administrative support time per hour | $50.00 (Code 1993, § 5-5; Code 2004, § 14-5; Code 2015, § 5-5; Code 2020, § 5-5; Ord. No. 2006-173-172, § 2, 6-26-2006; Ord. No. 2007-291-274, § 1, 11-26-2007; Ord. No. 2008-52-114, § 1, 5-27-2008; Ord. No. 2008-289-275, § 1, 11-24-2008; Ord. No. 2011-80-65, § 1, 4-25-2011; Ord. No. 2024-099, § III(§ 1), 5-13-2024)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-6 Fee adjustments.

Sec. 5-6. - Fee adjustments. Every person to whom a building permit is issued, before final inspection of the work, shall submit a cost affidavit to the Commissioner of Buildings. The value of the work shall be considered the higher of the contractor's stated final value or RSMeans' estimated value. The value of work shall include all material, labor, subcontracts, owner furnished material, overhead and profit. Upon receipt of the cost affidavit from the permit holder, the Commissioner of Buildings shall adjust such fee and shall refund any excess fee to the permit holder or collect any additional fee as is necessary. If the stated final value exceeds that of RSMeans, the stated final value shall be used. If the stated final value is less than RSMeans, the RSMeans value shall be used. The Commissioner of Buildings, or the designee thereof, may, at the Commissioner of Buildings' discretion, perform an audit on any project to which a building permit fee shall apply. (Code 1993, § 5-6; Code 2004, § 14-6; Code 2015, § 5-6; Code 2020, § 5-6; Ord. No. 2006-173-172, § 1, 6-26-2006; Ord. No. 2011-45-56, § 1, 3-28-2011)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-7 Fee refunds in certain cases.

Sec. 5-7. - Fee refunds in certain cases. If a building permit is revoked or a building project is abandoned or discontinued, the Commissioner of Buildings shall provide fee refunds for the portion of the work which was not completed less plan review and administrative fees. (Code 1993, § 5-7; Code 2004, § 14-7; Code 2015, § 5-7; Code 2020, § 5-7)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-8 Permit validity.

Sec. 5-8. - Permit validity. A building permit shall be valid when duly issued by the Bureau of Permits and Inspections for an installation at the site named thereon for the work described on the application. (Code 1993, § 5-8; Code 2004, § 14-8; Code 2015, § 5-8; Code 2020, § 5-8)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-9 Commencing work without approved permit.

Sec. 5-9. - Commencing work without approved permit. Any person who shall commence any work subject to this chapter without first obtaining a proper permit when required shall, when subsequently obtaining such permit, pay the fee for the entire amount of work covered by the permit. Payment of such fee shall not preclude prosecution for a violation of the Uniform Statewide Building Code for commencing work without a permit. Any person issued a stop work order shall pay an administrative fee set by the City Council to cover the costs of issuing the stop work order and any legal actions occurring from the stop work order. (Code 1993, § 5-9; Code 2004, § 14-9; Code 2015, § 5-9; Code 2020, § 5-9)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-10 Periodic inspection of existing structures.

Sec. 5-10. - Periodic inspection of existing structures. The Commissioner of Buildings shall have the authority to periodically inspect all buildings and structures, whether permanent or temporary, as permitted by State law and the Uniform Statewide Building Code. (Code 1993, § 5-10; Code 2004, § 14-10; Code 2015, § 5-10; Code 2020, § 5-10)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-11 Disregard of notice of unsafe or hazardous buildings; abatement of conditions.

Sec. 5-11. - Disregard of notice of unsafe or hazardous buildings; abatement of conditions. If the owner, agent of the owner or person in control of a building which is found by the Commissioner of Buildings to be unsafe or a hazard under the Uniform Statewide Building Code fails or refuses to comply in a timely manner with any notice mailed or posted as provided by law or if the Commissioner of Buildings deems it necessary, without providing notice, to take such emergency measures as are set forth in the Uniform Statewide Building Code, including the demolition of a building, the Commissioner of Buildings shall cause such hazardous or unsafe condition to be abated. Costs incurred in abatement of such condition shall be paid from the City treasury on certification of the Commissioner of Buildings, and a lien in the amount of such costs, including a charge for administrative costs in the amount of $100.00, shall be placed against the property and shall remain in force until paid. All unpaid liens shall accrue interest at the rate specified for other nuisance abatement liens. (Code 1993, § 5-11; Code 2004, § 14-11; Code 2015, § 5-11; Code 2020, § 5-11)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-12 Barbed, razor and electric wire fences.

Sec. 5-12. - Barbed, razor and electric wire fences. (a) Barbed and razor wire fences. No barbed or razor wire shall be used for the purpose of wholly or partially enclosing any lot or premises within the City. However, barbed ends of fences, barbed wire and razor wire may be used on top of any wall or fence wholly or partially enclosing any lot or premises zoned for commercial or industrial use, and barbed wire may be used on top of any wall or fence wholly or partially enclosing any public school, park, recreational or playground site in any residential, commercial or manufacturing district, provided that: (1) Such wall or fence is at least six feet in height. (2) The barbed wire or razor wire is installed on arms or brackets extending from the top of such wall or fence inwardly over the private property to be wholly or partially enclosed. (3) Not more than three strands of barbed wire shall be so installed, and the first strand shall be at least six inches from the face of the wall or fence. (b) Electric fences. No electric fence shall be installed, operated or maintained in the City except as provided in this subsection. (1) Electric fences shall be constructed, maintained and operated in conformance with the specifications set forth in International Electrotechnical Commission Standard 60335-2-76. (2) The electric charge produced by the fence upon contact shall not exceed energizer characteristics set forth in Paragraph 22.108 and depicted in Figure 102 of International Electrotechnical Commission Standard No. 60335-2-76. (3) Electric fences shall be completely surrounded on the side facing the property exterior by a non-electrified fence or wall that is not less than six feet in height and at least six inches from the electric fence. (4) Electric fences may be installed, operated or maintained only in B-3 General Business, M-1 Light Industrial and M-2 Heavy Industrial zoning districts. (5) Electric fences shall be clearly identified with warning signs that read "Warning - Electric Fence" or similar terms and which are posted at intervals of not less than 50 feet with at least one sign on each exterior perimeter side of the fence. (6) No electric fence shall be installed until after certification from the Department of Planning and Development Review that the plans for the fence meet the requirements of this subsection. (7) This subsection does not apply to professionally designed electrified devices installed near or under ground level for the purposes of keeping household pets on property. (c) Violations. Violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of up to $2,500.00. (Code 1993, § 5-12; Code 2004, § 14-12; Code 2015, § 5-12; Code 2020, § 5-12; Ord. No. 2009-143-161, § 1, 9-14-2009; Ord. No. 2009-222-2010-10, 1-25-2010; Ord. No. 2018-078, § 1, 5-14-2018)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-13 Building permits within Chesapeake Bay preservation areas.

Sec. 5-13. - Building permits within Chesapeake Bay preservation areas. The Commissioner of Building shall not issue a building permit until the Chesapeake Bay Administrator has certified that the proposed construction and use of the premises conform with the applicable provisions of Chapter 14. (Code 2004, § 14-14; Code 2015, § 5-13; Code 2020, § 5-13; Ord. No. 2004-329-319, § 1, 12-13-2004)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-14 Vacant building registration; penalty.

Sec. 5-14. - Vacant building registration; penalty. It shall be unlawful for any owner of buildings or structures which have been vacant for a continuous period of 12 months or more, and which meet the definition of the term "derelict building" under Code of Virginia, § 15.2-907.1, to fail to register on an annual basis the vacant buildings or structures with the Department of Planning and Development Review. Such registration shall be on a form prescribed by the Department of Planning and Development Review. The annual fee for such registration shall be $100.00. Failure to register shall result in a $200.00 civil penalty or in a $400.00 civil penalty if the property is located in a conservation or redevelopment area or in a designated blighted area. Upon re-occupancy, the owner shall notify the Department of Planning and Development Review in writing. (Code 2004, § 14-15; Code 2015, § 5-14; Code 2020, § 5-14; Ord. No. 2006-253-259, § 1, 10-23-2006; Ord. No. 2009-220-2010-8, § 2, 1-25-2010; Ord. No. 2013-218-198, § 1, 10-28-2013)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-15 Streamlined process for approval of building permits when green roofs are used.

Sec. 5-15. - Streamlined process for approval of building permits when green roofs are used. The purpose of this section is to grant incentives and provide regulatory flexibility to encourage the use of green roofs in the construction, repair, or remodeling of residential and commercial buildings. For purposes of this section, the term "green roof" has the meaning ascribed to it by Code of Virginia, § 58.1-3852. This section applies to all building permit and associated plumbing, electrical and mechanical permit applications when green roofs are used in the construction, repair, or remodeling of residential and commercial buildings. The Commissioner of Buildings shall complete review of all building permit applications to which this section applies within ten business days following submittal thereof to the Commissioner of Buildings, provided that the application is complete upon submittal. The Commissioner of Buildings shall complete review of all plumbing, electrical and mechanical permit applications associated with building permit applications to which this section applies within five business days following submittal thereof to the Commissioner of Buildings, provided the application is complete upon submittal. The respective ten-business-day and five-business-day periods shall be extended by the time an applicant takes to respond to plan review comments or to comply with any instructions from the Commissioner of Buildings necessary to properly act upon the application. As required by Code of Virginia, § 58.1-3852, all buildings to which the expedited review process set forth in this section applies shall use green roofs. (Code 2004, § 14-16; Code 2015, § 5-15; Code 2020, § 5-15; Ord. No. 2012-201-199, § 1, 11-26-2012)

Source: City of Richmond, Virginia, Code (2026 recodification) and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/va/richmond/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICICO_CH5BUBURE_ARTIINGEFetched: 11/8/2026