Shell Permits and Vanilla Box Permits

What are the requirements for Shell Permits and "Vanilla Box" Permits?

Shell Permit
A Building Plan can be submitted for any building that is intended to be divided later into tenant spaces. In order for a Sign Off to be issued for the Shell building, complete the following:

• The foundations, exterior walls, roof, rooftop HVAC units, house meter.
  (The main meter servicing the building, exterior lights, parking lot lights, common areas such as hallways and stairwells)
• All Civil or Site Plan requirements, i.e., parking lot, entrance, landscaping, water meter, etc.

What options are allowed in building out the tenant spaces?

Electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits are normally required for the Shell Building. The applicant has options in phasing the construction to allow flexibility in building.

These permits as well as all site improvements listed above must be completed prior to any Certificate of Occupancy for any tenant space.

• Obtain Shell Permit only
• Obtain Vanilla Box Permits individually
• Obtain Tenant Build-Out separately
• A combination of all three as long as respective permits are obtained

Any questions regarding the intended design that proposes a combination of Shell, Vanilla Box or Tenant Build-Out can be addressed by contacting the Plans Examiner to determine whether a pre-design meeting is required.

"Vanilla Box" aka "White Box"
"Vanilla Box" construction can occur simultaneously with the Shell building as long as the tenant spaces are reflected on the Shell Building plan.

Contacts – for questions & further assistance

• Contact Plans Examiner at 757-382-6018, or
• Visit Department of Development & Permits and consult with one of our Plans Examiners located on the 2nd floor of City Hall. Hours of operations are Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.